LIFE SAVING APPLIANCES by Capt Aung Myin Moe

Presented by : Capt Aung Myin Moe
Department of Marine Administration
Myanmar
Guidelines for PSC Officers on
Life Saving Appliances

The International
Convention for the
Safety of Life at Sea
Chapter III
Life-saving appliances and
arrangements
• Unless expressly provided otherwise,
this chapter shall apply to ships
constructed on or after 1 July 1998.
• For ship constructed before 1 July 1998
the replacement or undergo repairs of
life-saving appliances shall, so far as is
reasonable and practicable comply
with the requirements of this chapter.

Life-Saving Appliance
IMO IE982E
The publication contains
3 most important IMO
instruments,
1. LSA Code
2. Testing and Evaluation of
Life-Saving Appliances
3. The Code of Practice for the
Evaluation, Testing and
Acceptance of Proto type Novel
Life-Saving Appliances

International Life-Saving Appliances
(LSA) Code (MSC.48(66))
On and after 1 July 1998,
the requirements of this Code will be
mandatory under SOLAS convention.
Purpose- To Provide international
standards for life-saving appliances
required by chapter III of the
International Convention for the Safety
of Life at Sea (SOLAS), 1974

International Life-Saving Appliances
(LSA) Code (MSC.48(66))
Effective as from: 1 July 1998 below amendments has
been amended in accordance with SOLAS Article VIII
• 2006 amendments (MSC.207(81)) 1 July 2010
• 2010 amendments (MSC.293(87)) 1 January 2012
• 2011 amendment (MSC.320(89)) 1 January 2013
• 2014 amendments (MSC.368(93)) 1 January 2016
• 2017 amendments (MSC.425(98)) [1 January 2020]

LSA Code
2017 amendments (MSC.425(98))
• adopted on 15 June 2017
• Entered into force on 1 January 2020

Life-SavingAppliances
Personal life-saving appliancesPersonal life-saving appliances
Visual signalsVisual signals
Survival craftSurvival craft
Rescue boatsRescue boats
Launching and embarkation appliancesLaunching and embarkation appliances
Other life-saving appliancesOther life-saving appliances

General requirements
 Be constructed with proper workmanship and
materials
 Not be damaged (Air)-30˚C to +65 ˚C in stowage
 Remain operational (Air)-15˚C to +40 ˚C
(Seawater)-1˚C to +30 ˚C
 Rot-proof, corrosion-resistant, not be unduly
affected by seawater, oil or fungal attack
 Sunlight deterioration resistant
 International or vivid reddish orange, or at a
comparably highly visible colour

General requirements
 Be fitted with retro-reflective material
 If they are to be used in seaway, be
capable of satisfactory operation
 Be clearly marked with approval info;
and operational restrictions
 If applicable, be provided with
electrical short-circuit protection

Retro-reflective material
Resolution A.658(16) Adopted on 19 October 1989
Use and fitting of Retro-Reflective Materials on
Life-Saving Appliances.
Retro-reflective material is a material which
reflects in the opposite direction a beam of light
directed on it.
Life-saving appliances on all ships have to be fitted
with retro-reflective material where it will assist in
detection and in accordance with the
recommendations of the Organization in A.658(16)

For Lifeboats and Rescue boats
Minimum area of 150 cm2 and
spaced approximately 80 cm from
centre to centre)
1) For detection by horizontal light beams (at suitable
intervals at half the height between the gunwale and
top of the fixed cover)
2) For detection by vertical light beams (e.g. from
helicopters) (part of the top of the fixed cover)
3) Retro-reflective materials should also be fitted at the
bottom of lifeboats and rescue boats which are not
self-righting

Lifejackets should be fitted with
patches of retro-reflective materials
with a total area of at least 400 cm2
Retroreflective tape of a sufficient
width, approximately 5 cm, should
be applied around or on both sides
of the body of the buoy at four
evenly spaced points.

Immersion suits should be fitted
with patches of retro-reflective
material with a total area of at least
400cm2 (For an immersion suit that
does not automatically turn the
wearer face up the back side should
be fitted 100 cm2)
Minimum area of 150 cm2 and
spaced approximately 80 cm from
centre to centre

Deficiency
(3)Retro-reflective materials
should also be fitted at the
bottom of lifeboats and rescue
boats which are not self-righting

 Retro-reflective tape missing from
equipment
 Retro-reflective tapes deteriorated
 No retro-reflective tape on lifeboat
keel
 Retro-reflective tape not SOLAS
approved
 Retro-reflective tape not found on
lifebuoys
Example of deficiencies

life-saving appliances on board
The details, number and location of life
buoys on the ship can always be found in
the “Safety Equipment Certificate Form
E, Fire control and Life-saving plan” of
the ship which is always posted on
bridge & other conspicuous places.

Form E of Safety Equipment Cert

Fire control and Life-saving plan

IMO Life-saving
appliances
Safety Signs
IMO Resolution
A.760(18) revision:
ISO 24409 the new
standard

IMO Resolution A.760(18) revision:
ISO 24409 the new standard
On the 25th of November 2016, IMO issued the
MSC.1/Circ.1553 and the IMO has announced that
Resolution A.760(18) regarding safety signage on board
vessels, which dates back to 1993, has become outdated
and is expected to be revised in 2018. The revised
resolution will refer to the ISO 24409 standard.

Personallife-savingappliances
• Lifebuoys
• Lifejackets
• Immersion suits
• Anti-exposure suits
• Thermal protective aids

LIFEBUOY
Required by SOLAS Chapter III Reg 7.1 and specifications as per
LSA Code Chapter II Reg 2.1
 Not less than one half of the total
number of lifebuoys shall be
provided with lifebuoy self-igniting
lights;
 not less than two shall also be
provided with lifebuoy self-activating
smoke signals and be capable of
quick release from the navigation
bridge;
 At least one lifebuoy on each side of
the ship shall be fitted with a
buoyant lifeline >2xWL or 30 m,
whichever is the greater.
 lifebuoys with lights and those with
lights and smoke signals shall be
equally distributed on both sides of
the ship;
 at least one shall be placed in the
vicinity of the stern

LIFEBUOY
• SIZE: A-B not less than 800mm
• C-D not less than 400mm
• WEIGHT: >2.5kg / >4kg(MOB)
• MADE: Inherently buoyant
material
• COLOUR: internationally
ORANGE in color, highly
visible.
• Capable of supporting 14.5kg
of Iron in FW x 24h
• Shall not burn/melt in 2 sec
• Drop: lightest seagoing
condition or 30 m+
• Marking: Ship's Name and Port
of Registry(Roman+Block
Capital)
Grab line: >Dia 9.5 mm, L= >4x OD, 4 equidistant points

LIFEBUOY ACCESSORIES
Self igniting light
• be such that they cannot be extinguished by water, White in colour
• Capable of burning continues and its luminous intensity not be less than 2 cd
(candela) having min 50 and max 70 flashes per minute for a period of 2 hour,
operated battery type.
Buoyant life line
• Non-kinking type
• Diameter >8 mm
• Breaking strength >5 KN
Self-activating smoke signal
• Smoke colour is ORANGE(Highly Visible)
• Capable of quick release from the height of 30 m or lightest seagoing condition.
• not ignite explosively or emit any flame
• Burning period - at least 15 minute

General Note
• Lifebuoy used close to the pilot access
shall not be provided with the lifeline
which may foul the propeller of the pilot
boat. In case of emergency hence only
the lifebuoy with light is used for the pilot
embarkation and the separate rope is
used as the heaving line
(SOLAS CH V REG – 23.7.1.2)
• A lifebuoy equipped with a self-igniting
light and a buoyant lifeline should be
available for immediate use in the vicinity
of the embarkation and disembarkation
arrangement when in use
(SOLAS II-1/3-9 MSC Circ 1331)

Lifebuoy related deficiencies
Lack additional life buoy with light and line nearby the
gangway
Man overboard life buoy rope rotten
Lifebuoys lifeline bonded not as required
POR and ship name faded
Several life buoys found without or with unreadable SOLAS
approval markings
The reflective tapes of both sides M.O.B lifebuoy were wasted
The lifeline of port side M.O.B was wasted
IMO symbol missing
Found crack at lifebuoy / Poor condition
Life buoy lights not working or missing
 The correct number/type not identified as per Safety Plan

Lifebuoy quick release
arrangement
SOLAS Chapter III Reg 7.1.3
• Not less than two 2 lifebuoys
shall also be provided with
lifebuoy self-igniting lights
self-activating smoke signals
and be capable of quick
release from the navigation
bridge
Deficiency - Lifebuoy unable to release
with quick release arrangement

LIFEJACKET
Required by SOLAS Chapter III Reg 7.2 and specifications as per
LSA Code Chapter II Reg 2.2
• New amendments to LSA Code apply to ships with
keel laid after 1 July 2010
• The amendments to Chapter II of the LSA Code and
Chapter III of SOLAS were adopted by the IMO
through resolutions MSC.207(81) and MSC.201(81)
respectively.
• Resolution MSC.81(70) - Revised Recommendation on
Testing of Life-Saving Appliances (adopted on
December 11, 1998) has been amended by resolution
MSC.200(80) to reflect the new requirements.

LIFEJACKET
New amendments to LSA Code apply to ships with keel laid after 1 July 2010
 Each lifejacket shall be fitted with a whistle firmly secured by a lanyard.
 Lifejacket lights and whistles shall be selected and secured to the
lifejacket in such a way that their performance in combination is not
degraded.
 Each lifejacket shall be provided with a releasable buoyant line or
other means to secure it to a lifejacket worn by another person in the
water.
 Each lifejacket shall be provided with a suitable means to allow a
rescuer to lift the wearer from the water into a survival craft or rescue
boat.
 The requirements apply: to lifejackets provided on board ships
constructed (having their keel laid) on or after July 1, 2010 when
providing new lifejackets to vessels with a keel laying date before
July 1, 2010.

LIFEJACKETS
TYPE
 LIFEJACKET
(NON INFLATABLE)
 INFLATABLE
SIZE
 INFANT
LESS THAN 15KG/100CM
 CHILD
15KG/100CM OR MORE
BUT LESS THAN
43KG/155CM
 ADULT
43KG/155CM MORE

On all ships where adult
lifejackets are not
designed to fit persons
weighing up to 140 kg
with a chest girth of up
to 1,750 mm, suitable
accessories are to be
provided that allow the
lifejacket to be secured
to such persons.
LIFEJACKETFOROVERSIZEPERSONS

LIFEJACKET - CHECK POINTS
• Quantity of lifejackets
• Instructions including Manuals
• Proper location
• Type of lifejacket (Inflatable/non Inflatable)
• Type specific (Adult’s/Child’s/Infant’s)
• Expiry
• Retro-reflective tape
• Fittings
• Buoyancy
• Donning (75% less than 1 min)

IMMERSION SUIT, ANTI-EXPOSURE SUIT & THERMAL PROTECTIVE AIDS
Required by SOLAS Chapter III Reg 7.3 and specifications as per LSA Code Chapter II Reg 2.3/2.4./2.5
The changes in carriage requirement
effected from 1 July 2006 (Cargo ships)
 Immersion suits for every person
on board
 additional immersion suits for
persons normally on watch or
working in work stations
 exemption from the carriage of
immersion - cargo ships constantly
engaged on voyages in warm
climates except Bulk Carriers The
term "voyages in warm climates"
means voyages within the latitudes
of 30N and 30S”
 thermal protective aids are no longer required to be carried except that these are
required to be carried in lifeboats and liferafts as part of their equipment

SUITS & BUOYANCY
Suit which has buoyancy
• Fitted with light (Reg 2.2.3)
• Fitted with whistle (Reg 2.2.1.12)
• Provided with
releasable buoyant line
• Suitable means to
allow a rescuer to lift
from the water
• Fitted with light (Reg 2.2.3)
• Fitted with whistle (Reg 2.2.1.12)
• Provided with
releasable buoyant line
• Suitable means to
allow a rescuer to lift
from the water
Suit to be worn
conjunction with lifejacket
• Shall be worn over the
suit
• Shall be marked to
indicate that it must be
worn in conjunction with
a compatible lifejacket
• Shall be worn over the
suit
• Shall be marked to
indicate that it must be
worn in conjunction with
a compatible lifejacket

Anti-exposure suits - Key Note
Q: What is the difference between Immersion suit
and Anti-exposure suit?
Inherent buoyancy of at least 15.5 lbs (70N)
Made with material which reduces the risk of heat
stress during rescue and evacuation
Equipped with a pocket to place the handheld VHF
transceiver
Has a lateral field of vision of 120 degrees
The wearer should be able to swim through water for
at least 25 meters and board a survival craft
Can perform all duties associated with abandonment ,
assist other and operate a rescue boat

Deficiency???
Following a jump from a
height not less than 4.5m
into the water there is no
undue ingress of water
into the suit
Climb up and down
vertical ladder at least
5m in length
Perform normal duties
associated with
abandonment
Swim a short distance
through the water and
board a survival craft

Inspection and Maintenance
• Immersion suits are to be inspected every
month as required by SOLAS ChapterIII/R20.7.2
using check list required by R36.1
• Each suit be subjected to an air pressure test in
accordance with MSC/Circ.114 at intervals not
exceeding 3 years, or every 2 years for suits
over ten years of age.

Immersion suits stored using conventional methods
 Physically inspected on a monthly basis in accordance
with IMO MSC/Circ.1047
Immersion suits packed in an airtight packaging
 It changes the inspection from a physical check of the
immersion suit itself to a close visual examination of the
visible parts of the packed immersion suit and a check of
the integrity of the airtight packaging.

The air pressure test required by
MSC/Circ. 114 should be conducted
at every required service by an
authorized service station at 3 years
intervals, after which the suit must
be re-bagged, providing the airtight
bag sealing is checked by ship
personnel at least annually and
found to be intact. It is also
recommended that, whenever
possible, inspections, as required by
MSC/Circ. 1047 be carried out at
the same time.

Check Point
 Check Monthly Test and Pressure Test
 Check Zip, Water tightness/Hole
 Attachments ( Whistle, Light, Reflective Tape)
 “Sign” if required to use conjunction with a
appropriate lifejacket
 Quantity and location as required
 Crew Familiarisation and Donning
 Appropriate Size available?

VISUAL SIGNALS
Rocket parachute flares
Required by SOLAS Chapter III Reg 6.3 and complying with the requirements of LSA Code section 3.1
• Minimum 12pcs, Carried and be stowed on or near the
navigation bridge
• Additional to mentioned above 2 Buoyant smoke signals,
4 Rocket parachute & 6 Hand flares are to be present in
each of the survival craft.
Hand flares
(complying with the requirements of LSA Code section 3.2)
Buoyant smoke signals
(complying with the requirements of LSA Code section 3.3)

Survivalcraft
LIFERAFTS
Inflatable
liferaft
Rigid
liferaft
LIFEBOATS
Partially
enclosed
lifeboat
Totally
enclosed
lifeboat
Free-fall
lifeboats

SOLAS Chapter III Regulation 20
Operational readiness, maintenance and inspections
Regulation 20.8 Servicing of inflatable liferafts, inflatable
lifejackets, marine evacuation systems, and maintenance
and repair of inflated rescue boats
• 8.1 Every inflatable liferaft, inflatable lifejacket, and
marine evacuation system shall be serviced:
• 8.1.1 at intervals not exceeding 12 months, provided
where in any case this is impracticable, the
Administration may extend this period to 17 months;
and
• 8.1.2 at an approved servicing station which is
competent to service them, maintains proper servicing
facilities and uses only properly trained personnel.

What exactly is an extended
service interval of liferaft?
Extended service interval liferafts are permitted under
SOLAS Ch IIII regulation 20.8.3
No possibility for extensions
 According to SOLAS Chapter III regulation 20.8.1.1 it
is possible to get service extensions on standard
liferafts up to 5 months (17months)
 This does not apply to service interval liferafts , for
which there is no possibility of extended service
interval

Extended service interval liferafts (ESR)
Not the same as conventional liferafts
Administration can accept new and novel inflatable
life raft arrangement for extended service intervals
according to SOLAS III/20.8.3 and MSC.1/Circ.1328
Service intervals not exceeding 30 months
Annual on board inspection (Hermetic seal
verification) not exceeding 12 months from last
inspection.
To be undertaken by qualified persons, who have
been adequately trained and certificated by Maker.

Extended service interval liferafts (ESR)

How it was done?(The process will vary depending on the Types/Model)

SOLAS Chapter III Regulation 20
Operational readiness, maintenance and inspections
20.9 Periodic servicing of hydrostatic
release units
Hydrostatic release units, other than
disposable hydrostatic release units,
shall be serviced:
Serviceable HRU
• 20.9.1 at intervals not exceeding 12
months, provided where in any
Administration may extend this
period to 17 months(MSC/Circ.955)
and
• 29.9.2 at a servicing station which is
competent to service them,
maintains proper servicing facilities
and use only properly trained
personnel.
Serviceable HRU Disposable HRU
2 YEARS

Case Study (Liferaft)
During recent PSC inspections, it was reported
that throw overboard type liferafts were placed
where davit launched type liferafts are to be
installed.
Action taken - Up to Detention
Root cause - The cause of the deficiency was
that the original davit launched liferaft has been
replaced by a throw overboard type liferaft due
to oversight(Crew/Service)

SOLAS III/31.1.1.1 - Cargo Ship with one or
more totally enclosed Lifeboats
SOLAS III/31.1.1.2 - In addition one or more
inflatable or rigid liferafts
SOLAS III/31.1.2 .1 - Cargo Ship with one or
more free-fall lifeboats
SOLAS III/31.1.2 .2 - In addition one or more
inflatable or rigid liferafts. The liferafts on at
least one side of the ship shall be served by
launching appliances.

Normally, types of davit launched liferafts can be
distinguished from throw overboard type
liferafts.
Typical examples of such liferafts are shown in
the following table

Guidelines for Port State Control Officers
for inspection of lifeboat launching arrangements
Weekly Inspection Relevant regulations SOLAS III/20.6
• Tests and inspections shall be carried out weekly and
a report of the inspection shall be entered in the log-
book:
• All survival craft, rescue boats and launching
appliances shall be visually inspected
• All engines in lifeboats and rescue boats shall be run
for a total period of not less than 3 min,
demonstrated that the gear box and gearbox train are
engaging satisfactorily. If the special characteristics of
an outboard motor fitted to a rescue boat would not
allow it to be run other than with its propeller

Monthly inspections Relevant regulations SOLAS III/20.7
• All lifeboats, except free-fall lifeboats, shall be
turned out from their stowed position, without any
persons on board if weather and sea conditions so
allow.
• Inspection of the life-saving appliances, including
lifeboat equipment, shall be carried out monthly
using the checklist required by regulation 36.1 to
ensure that they are complete and in good order. A
report of the inspection shall be entered in the log-
book.

Relevant regulations SOLAS III/20.11
Periodic servicing of launching appliances and on-load release gear
 maintained in accordance with instructions for on-board maintenance as
required by regulation 36
 thorough examination at the annual surveys
 dynamic test of the winch brake at maximum lowering speed – Annually and
proof load equal to 1.1 times the weight-5’ly
Lifeboat or rescue boat on-load release gear, including free-fall
lifeboat release systems
 maintained in accordance with instructions for on-board maintenance as
required by regulation 36;
 thorough examination and operational test during the annual surveys
 Overhauling and operationally tested under a load of 1.1 times the total mass of
the boat-5’ly

Maintenance Relevant regulations SOLAS III/20.3
• Maintenance, testing and inspections shall be carried out
• Instructions for on-board maintenance of life-saving
appliances shall be provided
• The Administration may accept, planned maintenance
programme

Lifeboat safety belt (or) Lifeboat harness?
4.6 Totally Enclosed lifeboat
4.6.3 Capsizing and re-righting
4.6.3.1. Except in free-fall lifeboats, a safety belt shall
be found at each indicated seating position. Each set
of safety belts for a seat shall be of a colour which
contrasts with the belts for seats immediately
adjacent.
free-fall lifeboats shall be fitted with a safety harness
at each seat in contrasting colour designed to hold a
person with a mass of 100 kg securely in place during
a free-fall launch as well as with the lifeboat in
capsized

Deficiency related to Lifeboat safety belt & Lifeboat harness

Conduct of inspections
Ref: Code of good practice for port state control officers
 comply with all health and safety requirements of the ship and
their administration
 not take any action or cause any action to be taken which could
compromise the safety of the PSCO or the ship’s crew;
 request the crew to demonstrate the functioning of equipment
and operational activities, such as drills and not make tests
themselves;
 PSCO’s should not enter lifeboats unless securely stowed with
gripes in position or hanging off pennants in position, any internal
inspection by the PSCO should be conducted at this point. PSCOs
should pay particular attention to ensure that no crew member
inadvertently operates any release mechanism while PSCOs are in
the boat

Conduct of inspections
 Should a drill be conducted during a PSC inspection, the PSCO should refer
the Master to MSC/Circ.1206/Rev.1 and make it clear to the Master that
any drill or operation will be conducted under his/her control.
 If a drill is to be undertaken whilst the PSCOs are observing, the PSCO
should ask the Master to explain the intended approach. If it is intended to
lower the lifeboat with the operating crew onboard, the PSCO should ask
the Master to lower the lifeboat near to the water level and hoist back to
the embarkation level with no person on board first.(The operating crew
need not be on-board during the lowering of the lifeboat if the ship
chooses not to do so)
 The PSCO should check the operation of the davit limit switches during this
operation.
 During the initial lowering operation the PSCO should ask for the brake to
be applied at maximum lowering speed to check its operation.
 If the master intends to hoist a boat fitted with on-load releases with crew
on board then the PSCO should ask the Master how he/she intends to
ensure that the hooks are correctly reset and cannot accidentally release
during the hoisting operation.

Discussion on deficiencies
Correct?

Discussion on deficiencies
 Crew Familiarization/Acknowledgement
 Vessel Specific Section
 Updates

EXAMPLE OF QUESTIONNAIRE FOR CONCENTRATED INSPECTION CAMPAIGN
ON LIFE SAVING APPLIANCES (LSA) (SOLAS CH.I, CH.III)
• Q1. Does the vessel provide sufficient Lifesaving appliances
for the total number of persons on board? (SOLAS I/12(vi)).
• Q2. Do records indicate that the survival crafts are regularly
inspected and maintained according to SOLAS, the relevant MSC’s
guidelines or as per manufacturer’s requirements?
(SOLAS III/20 and 36)
• Q3. Is the SOLAS Training Manual ship’s specific and is it
understood by all crew? (SOLAS III/35)
• Q.4 Do records indicate compliance with Emergency training
and Drills with regard to lifesaving appliances and arrangements?
(SOLAS III/19)
• Q5. Do the Personal Lifesaving appliances comply with the
requirements of the Convention/ Code? (SOLAS III/7, 22 and 32)
• Q6. Are survival craft in a state of operational readiness with
muster and embarkation arrangements in place and maintained?
(SOLAS III/11, 23 or 33)

EXAMPLE OF QUESTIONNAIRE FOR CONCENTRATED INSPECTION CAMPAIGN
ON LIFE SAVING APPLIANCES (LSA) (SOLAS CH.I, CH.III)
• Q7. Are procedures in place for the Recovery of persons from the
water and is the required equipment maintained and in a state
of operational readiness? (SOLAS III/17 and 17-1)
• Q8. Are the Lifeboats properly equipped?
(LSA 4.4.3, 4.4.6, 4.4.7 and 4.4.8)
• Q9. Does the Muster List reflect the actual crew on board and is
the crew familiar with their duties? (SOLAS III 8 and 37)
• Q.10 Can the ship’s crew explain the launching appliances of
the (freefall) lifeboat and if applicable, the rescue boat
release mechanism? (LSA Ch IV, V & VI)
• Q.11 During the CIC, the PSCO is to observe an abandon
ship drill. Did the drill comply with the requirements of
the Convention / Code? (SOLAS III/19.3.4)
Ref: Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control for West and Central African region
(Abuja MoU)

Lowering requirement of Free fall lifeboat
SOLAS regulation III/19.3.4.4
As per SOLAS we need to lower the free fall lifeboat as
follows
Every 3 months
• Every 3 months we can lower the lifeboat either by free
fall launching or by secondary means of launching. If
lowering by free fall, the required crew need to sit inside
the boat and launch it from inside.
• Otherwise, we can lower the free fall lifeboat to water by
davit. Crew can then board the lifeboat by embarkation
ladder.
• Irrespective of how we lower the boat, we need to
manoeuver it in water every three months. We need to
test the engine and sprinkler system during
manoeuvring.

Every 6 months
• If you are lowering the boat every 3 months by
free fall means, there is no other thing you need
to do every 6 month. But if you had lowered the
boat by secondary means such as davit, you need
to lower the boat by free fall every 6 months.
Or you can carry out simulated launching
provided lifeboat has the provisions for that.
• Now what does it mean by “simulated
launching” of the free fall boat ?

Simulated launching
• Simulated launching replaces the requirement of lowering the
lifeboat by free fall method. When we lower the lifeboat by free
fall method, we are testing the release mechanism of the
lifeboat. Simulated launching does same but without lowering
the lifeboat with free fall.
• In simple words, the boats that are fitted with simulated
launching has a securing wire. One end of this wire is
connected to boat and other on the ship structure. When the
boat is secured, this wire will be loose with no weight on it.
• One crew will operate the release gear of the boat. Once the
boat releases, after moving slight distance, simulation wire will
hold the boat. This test will make sure that the release
mechanism is working.
• After simulation test, the boat then need to be lowered with
davit and manoevered in water.

Time Method Used Status Drill Remark
10/01/2017 Davit launch to the water
(by means of the secondary
means of Launching)
Manoeuvred in the water
by the operating crew
3
Crew boarded the lifeboat, properly secure
themselves in their seats and commence launch procedures up
to but not including the actual release of the lifeboat. Then,
Lifeboat was lowered into the water by means of the secondary
means of launching and manoeuvred in the water by the
operating crew)
04/04/2017 Simulated launching plus
davit launch to the water
means of launching)
6
Crew operated the release gear of the boat by means of
simulated launching (under MSC.1/Circ.1578) . After simulation
test, the boat then lowered with davit and manoevered in
water.
means of launching)
3
01/10/2017 Simulated launching plus
davit launch to the water
means of launching)
6
Using Simulated Launching Instead of Free Fall Launching
*SOLAS regulation III/19.3.4.4 that the free-fall lifeboat shall be
launched by free fall at intervals of not more than six months
with only the operating crew on board or simulated launching
shall be carried out in accordance with the guidelines developed
by the Organization
without the operating
crew on board.
means of Launching)
3
04/04/2018 Free-fall gravity launching
to the water with
operating crew on board
6
with the operating crew on
board.
means of Launching)
3

Any testing of free-fall lifeboat release systems, as
required by SOLAS reg. III/20.11.2, should be
undertaken separately from the simulated
launching drills and must not be carried out
during the drill. This testing should be done in
accordance with Annex 1 to
MSC.1/Circ.1206/Rev1
"Manoeuvre in the water" applies to all cases and
should take place every three months.

LIFE SAVING APPLIANCES by Capt Aung Myin Moe

LIFE SAVING APPLIANCES by Capt Aung Myin Moe

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