Regulation 17.3 and 33.2 of Chapter III of the 1996 Amendments to the 1974 SOLAS Convention require that lifeboats installed on board ships of 20,000 gross tonnage and upwards, and rescue boats installed on board all ships ( hereinafter referred to as "boats" ) should be capable of being launched, with the ships making headway at speeds up to 5 knots (launching at 5 knots) in calm water.

The Society instructs that a "launching at 5 knots" test should be carried out as a part of the on-board test for the boats when they are newly installed on board ships in order to ascertain that they comply with the requirements in accordance with the Guidance for the test which the Society has developed as per attached, unless special instructions are given by the flag-state concerned. The Guidance specifies that the "launching at 5 knots" test should apply to the boats installed on board ships constructed on or after 1 July 1999. Furthermore the Guidance specifies that the test may be dispensed with for a ship if its sister ship with the launching appliances at the same place or near thereto and with the same type of the boats as the one the ship in question ( hereinafter referred to as "sister ships") carries was subjected to "launching at 5 knots" test with satisfactory results.

In this respect, each Government of Panama, Malta, Greece and Bahamas has informed the Society of the followings respectively.

Panama flag ships
Application
The "launching at 5 knots" test should apply to the boats installed on board ships constructed on or after 1 July 1998 and to which the SOLAS Convention applies.
For the ships required for the test, but not completed yet.
The test should be carried out by the next dry docking.
The test should be also carried out for sister ships

Malta and Greece flag ships
The "launching at 5 knots" test should be also carried out for sister ships.

Bahamas flag ships
In case of sister ships, the Society should address to the Government the propriety of an omission of the test on a ship by ship basis, and then please contact us in advance.

For any questions about the above, please contact Survey Department (Tel : 03-5226-2027 / 2028, Fax : 03-5226-2029, e-mail : svd@classnk.or.jp).

Attachment : Guidance for "Launching at 5 knots" Test for Lifeboats and Rescue Boats at Sea Trial

attachment to NK Technical Information No. 431

Guidance for "Launching at 5 knots" Test for Lifeboats and Rescue Boats at Sea Trial
Unless special instructions are given by the flag-state concerned, you should carry out "Launching at 5 knots" test for lifeboats and rescue boats at sea trial in accordance with this Guidance.

1. Application
The launching at 5 knots test should apply to the following lifeboats and rescue boats ( hereinafter referred to as "boats" ) installed on board ships constructed on or after 1 July 1999 and to which the SOLAS Convention applies.
(1) Lifeboats to be launched by a fall or falls ( except for free-fall lifeboats ) that are installed on board cargo ships of 20,000 gross tonnage and upwards, and
(2) all rescue boats.

2. Guidance for Launching at 5 knots Test
The test should be carried out as a part of the on board tests when the boats are first installed on board ships.
(1) The test should be carried out during a sea trial of the ship in calm water.
(2) The ship should be, in principle, on the lightest sea-going condition and on even keel.
(3) The boats should be launched by means of a