MANX SHIPPING NOTICE

MSN 010
DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
THE FITTING OF RECOVERY STROPS TO LIFEBOATS DESIGNATED AS
RESCUE BOATS SHIPS CONSTRUCTED ON OR AFTER 1ST JULY 1986
This notice serves to highlight the requirement for the recovery of lifeboats
which are also Rescue Boats in heavy weather
Most regulations and notices, along with casualty reports, are available on the
Isle of Man Government web site: www.iomshipregistry.com or by contacting
marine.survey@gov.im

Documents referred to in this notice:

Merchant Shipping (Life-Saving Appliances) Regulations 1999 (SD
431/99)
1.
The attention of Surveyors, Ship Owners, Managers and Classification
Societies is drawn to the requirement to provide means for facilitating the rapid and
safe attachment of the lower fall blocks to the lifting arrangements of a lifeboat
which is also a Rescue Boat. To attach the lower fall blocks directly to the lifting
hooks in other than calm conditions is likely to prove extremely arduous and
hazardous.
Part 2 Regulation 16(4) of the Merchant Shipping (Life-Saving
Appliances) Regulations 1999 provides:
Every lifeboat which is also a rescue boat and, in ships which are not
provided with a rescue boat, one of the lifeboats, shall be provided with
arrangements for the safe recovery of the lifeboat or rescue boat in adverse sea
conditions. Such means shall comprise recovery strops of suitable length and of a
construction and type that may be temporarily attached between the lower fall block
and the boat without danger to the occupants from the lower fall blocks and hanging
off pendants attached to the davit arms to permit transfer of the boat from the
recovery strops to the normal falls once the boat is clear of the water or an
equivalent arrangement acceptable to the Department. Existing ships which are not
fitted at the date of these Regulations with arrangements for the safe recovery of
the lifeboat or rescue boat in adverse sea conditions shall have such arrangement
fitted by 30th June 2000.
Further, Chapter III/SOLAS 74 Regulation 17.5 (as amended) [Rescue Boat
Embarkation, Launching and Recovery Arrangements] - requires .......Foul weather
recovery strops shall be provided for safety if heavy fall blocks constitute a danger.

2.
One such arrangement is illustrated in the attached Annex to this circular and
has been tested within controlled conditions. It is accepted that there may be a
number of different arrangements which will achieve the same result. In accepting
lifeboats which are also rescue boats, Surveyors should ensure such facilities are
provided.
3.
Lifeboats which are also rescue boats, need not be fitted with special
recovery arrangements if a chain or wire of adequate strength and flexibility is fitted
between the lower fall block and the attachment to the lifting hooks. For this
purpose the length of the chain or wire, including the link for attachment to the
lifting hook, should be at least 1.25 metres.
4.
When considering the strength and the testing of the recovery strops,
hanging off pendants and davit structure, a working load consisting of the weight of
the rescue boat, equipment and provisions plus six (6) persons at 75kg, should be
used.
5.
Hanging off pendants should have a factor of safety of at least 6 based upon
the breaking strength of the wire.
6.
Recovery strops, which may be of nylon or other suitable material, should
have a factor of safety of at least 6 based upon the breaking strength of the strop.
7.
In the case of recovery strops and hanging off pendants certificates of test
should be provided on board and be available for inspection.
8.
The hanging off pendant attachments on the davit should be designed with a
factor of safety of at least 4.5 based upon the ultimate tensile test of the material.
The davit structure should maintain a factor of safety of 4.5 when hanging off the
working load with the ship trimmed up to 10 degrees and listed up to 20 degrees
each side. To be tested at weight of fully stored boat plus six (6) persons at 75kg.
9.
Where the recovery arrangements entail disembarkation at a deck level other
than the embarkation deck, bowsing arrangements should be provided for both
decks.
10.
The equipment described in this circular should be fitted to all ships
constructed on or after the 1st July 1986 to any lifeboat and davit nominated as a
rescue boat. Ship Owners, Ship managers, and Classification Societies should if
necessary consult the manufacturers of the lifeboat davits on the provision of the
necessary fittings and equipment before the next Safety Equipment Survey is
required.

11.
This Department should be contacted if difficulties are experienced in
complying with the provisions of these regulations. Enquiries should be directed to
the Principal Surveyor, Isle of Man Ship Registry, Isle of Man on telephone number
01624 688500 or fax number 01624 688501, or by e-mail to marine.survey@gov.im.
Isle of Man Ship Registry
February 2007
Please note - The Isle of Man Ship Registry cannot give Legal Advice. Where this document provides
guidance on the law it should not be regarded as definitive. The way the law applies to any particular
case can vary according to circumstances - for example, from vessel to vessel. You should consider
seeking independent legal advice if you are unsure of your own legal position.

ANNEX
RECOVERY OF RESCUE BOAT USING RECOVERY STROPS
POSITION 1
1.1)

Manoeuvre boat under falls, recovery strop (in place) will hang down from
main suspension link;

1.2)

Fit recovery strop link into boat suspension gear, signal deck operator to

hoist.

POSITION 2
2.1)

Deck operator to release hanging off pendants attached to the davit arms so
they hang freely;

2.2)

Rescue boat to be hoisted up to a position where boat crew can attach

hanging off

pendants to the auxiliary lifting lugs on the boat suspension

gear. (It should be noted not to overhoist to a point where the davit arms
start to turn in).

POSITION 3
3.1)

Deck operator to raise the brake lever on the winch and lower the boat slowly
until the full weight of the rescue boat is held by the hanging off pendants.

POSITION 4
4.1)

Disengage recovery strops from the rescue boat lifting hooks;

4.2)

Pay out the falls at the lifting winch until it is possible to re-engage main
suspension link.

POSITION 5
5.1)

Hoist the rescue boat until it is possible to remove hanging off pendants from
the auxiliary lifting lugs;

5.2)

Continue to hoist the rescue boat normally to its stowage position.

N.B. Ensure that the hanging off pendant is secured to the davit arm and the
recovery strops are stowed on the boat so as not to impeded release of the boat
during the next launch.