Marine Operations Note: 07/2009 - Paris and Tokyo MOU Concentrated Inspection Campaign on Lifeboat Launching Arrangements
13 August 2009
Marine Operation Note 07/2009
This document is archived. It is kept for reference and may have been superseded.
13 August 2009
MARINE OPERATIONS NOTE 7/2009
Subject: Paris and Tokyo MOU Concentrated Inspection Campaign on Lifeboat Launching Arrangements
Ref: (a) SOLAS Chapter III
- MSC.1/Circ.1205
- MSC.1/Circ.1206 Rev.1
To: Shipowners/Operators and Masters,
The 43 Maritime Authorities of the Tokyo and Paris MOUs on Port State Control announced that they will begin a joint Concentrated Inspection Campaign (CIC) to ensure compliance with SOLAS Chapter III-Lifesaving Appliances and Arrangements with regard to lifeboat launching arrangements. This campaign will be held for three months starting 1 September and ending 30 November 2009.
During every port State control inspection Port State Control Officers (PSCOs) within the Paris and Tokyo MOU regions will verify the lifeboat launching arrangements, maintenance records and other applicable documentation for compliance. PSCOs will use the enclosed questionnaire listing 20 selected items to verify critical areas for the safety of lifeboat launching arrangements, including some related to documentation, equipment and seafarer familiarization.
The 43 member states of the Paris and Tokyo MOU are as follows:
- Paris MOU: Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russian Federation, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and United Kingdom.
- Tokyo MOU: Australia, Canada, Chile, China, Fiji, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Russian Federation, Singapore, Thailand, Vanuatu, and Vietnam.
Recommended Action: We recommend Shipowners/Operators inform their Master’s of the CIC through copy of this Note and to prepare for detailed lifeboat inspections when calling on ports in any of the above countries. We recommend Master’s use the enclosed questionnaire in preparing for inspections to ensure all relevant areas are satisfactorily addressed prior to entry into these ports. We kindly request a copy of the completed questionnaire is sent to the Administration at: safety@liscr.com, as it contains information on the manufacturer and model of on-load release gear which we are using for an internal lifeboat casualty study.
In addition to the using the questionnaire, we also recommend Masters review SOLAS III/16 - Survival Craft Launching and Recovery Arrangements and ensure that appropriate crew members are thoroughly trained on the lifeboat launching arrangements. Particular attention should be paid to the correct operation of lifeboat on-load release mechanisms when applicable. The following should also be verified as completed and recorded:
- The monthly abandon ship drill (SOLAS III/ 19.3.2),
- Lifeboat launching every three months (SOLAS III/ 19.3.3), 3. On board training (SOLAS III/ 19.4),
- Record keeping (SOLAS III 19.5).
- Maintenance of falls (SOLAS III/20.4),
- The weekly and monthly inspections (SOLAS III/20.6 and 20.7),
- Periodic servicing of launching appliances and on-load release gear (SOLAS III/20.11. See also MSC.1/Circ.1206 Rev.1,
- Training Manual (SOLAS III/35.3),
- Instruction for on board maintenance (SOLAS III/36), and
- Muster list and emergency instructions (SOLAS III/37).
A copy of the following IMO documents, prepared in response to lifeboat accidents and referenced in the MOU questionnaire, are also provided for use by the Master and crew:
MSC.1/Circ.1205 - Guidelines for Developing Operation and Maintenance Manuals for Lifeboat Systems
MSC.1/Circ.1206 Rev.1 - Measures to Prevent Accidents with Lifeboats
Reporting defective equipment: When a piece of required equipment is suddenly found defective, damaged, or there is a justifiable reason for not launching the lifeboat every three months, the vessel operator should contact the Administration immediately. When appropriate we may issue a dispensation before the vessel reaches port, allowing time for necessary corrective action. A dispensation may avoid a detention for defective equipment or for a required procedure which could not be followed.
For technical dispensations, please email technical@liscr.com. In the event of a detention, contact us immediately so we can help to resolve the issues as quickly as possible. To report a detention or if you have any questions, please contact Timothy Keegan, +1-703251-2409, or Sean Brett, +1-703-251-2434, or email safety@liscr.com.
If it is an emergency after business hours or during the weekend contact the duty officer at +1-703-963-6216. To assist the duty officer with developing a proper response, send an email to dutyofficer@liscr.com describing the issues that need to be addressed.
Enclosure: MOU CIC Checklist
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PARIS MOU ON PORT STATE CONTROL
CIC ON LIFEBOAT LAUNCHING ARRANGEMENTS – QUESTIONNAIRE
Ship Name: | |
IMO Number: | |
Port | |
On-load release Manufacturer and model number: | |
On-load release date of manufacture: | |
On-load release date of last service: | |
Starboard | |
On-load release Manufacturer and model number: | |
On-load release date of manufacture: | |
On-load release date of last service: |
Yes | No | N/A | ||
1 | Does the ship have davit-launched lifeboats?1 | |||
Maintenance and Records | ||||
2 | Do records indicate that lifeboats have been launched and manoeuvred in the water in accordance with SOLAS requirements? | |||
3* | Do records indicate that the 1.1 dynamic load tests of the winch brake have been carried out?2 | |||
4* | Do records indicate that the launching arrangements (falls, lifeboats, on-load release and davits) are regularly maintained? | |||
5* | Are the means of attaching the lifeboat hook assemblies to the lifeboat in satisfactory condition?2 | |||
Operational Safety | ||||
6 | Have the hazards associated with the launching and recovery of lifeboats been identified (ISM)? | |||
7 | Are any procedures or instructions implemented on-board relating to the hazards identified in Q6? | |||
8* | Are all key personnel familiar with the procedures for the launch and recovery of lifeboats? | |||
9 | Is the crew familiar with relevant IMO documentation and guidance including MSC Circulars 1205 and 1206? | |||
On Load Releases | ||||
10 | Are on load releases fitted?3 |
11* | Can the ships crew describe an understanding of the operation of the on-load release, including interlocks as appropriate? | |||
12 | Are clear operating instructions for use of the on-load release, in the working language of the ship, provided with a suitably worded warning notice? | |||
13 | Is the release mechanism designed so that crew members in the lifeboat can clearly observe when the release mechanism is properly and completely reset and ready for lifting? | |||
14 | Is the release control clearly marked in a colour that contrasts with its surroundings? | |||
15* | Does it appear that the hooks and release arrangements, including any interlocks, are correctly set? | |||
16* | Does it appear that the lifeboat on-load release mechanisms are in a satisfactory condition? | |||
Davits and Winches | ||||
17* | Does it appear that the davits and winches are in a satisfactory condition? | |||
18* | Do all the sheaves and other moving parts, including limit switches, operate correctly? 2 | |||
19* | Is the centrifugal winch brake operating satisfactorily in “freefall” mode and the manual brake automatically reapplying upon release?2 | |||
Drill | ||||
20* | If conducted, was a drill performed satisfactorily? (If not conducted enter N/A) | |||
Detention | ||||
21 | Was the ship detained as a result of this CIC? |
1
For free-fall lifeboats answer “NO”
For ships without lifeboats answer “N/A” and also answer Questions 2 – 19 “N/A”
2
For free-fall lifeboats answer “N/A”
3
If on-load releases are not fitted Questions 11 – 16 should be answered “N/A”
Note: It should be made clear to the master that any operation involving the life boats is to be conducted under his/her control, it is important that the PSCO does not become involved in any operation or assume any responsibility.
