It has already been informed by ClassNK Technical Information No. TEC-0485 of 25 October 2002 regarding the special requirements for life-saving appliances on board Manx flagged vessels. In this connection, the Manx Government has notified newly ClassNK of instructions in relation to both life-saving appliances and fire fighting arrangement. Both the essential points of the requirements are shown below.

This ClassNK Technical Information supersedes the previous ClassNK Technical Information No. TEC-0485 dated 25 October 2002.

1. Maintenance of Falls used in Launching

(1) Falls used in launching any survival craft shall be turned end for end at intervals not exceeding 30 months and shall be renewed whenever necessary due to deterioration or at the end of 5 years whichever shall occur first, provided that in systems which have a continuous fall arrangement the fall need not be tuned end for end but shall whenever practicable be adjusted at intervals not exceeding 24 months in such a manner that any part of the fall in contact with a sheave when the survival craft is in the stowed position is no longer in contact after adjustment and the falls shall be renewed whenever necessary due to deterioration or at the end of 4 years whichever shall occur first.
(2) Notwithstanding the above paragraph 1. (1), falls which are made from stainless steel of suitable quality need not be renewed within the lifetime recommended by the manufacturer or supplier provided that at each thorough examination in accordance with Regulation 20. 11. 1 of Chapter III of 1996 Amendments to 1974 SOLAS there are no signs of deterioration, mechanical damage, or other defect. Such falls should wherever practicable be adjusted at intervals not exceeding 30 months in such a manner that any part of the fall in contact with a sheave when the survival craft is in the stowed position is no longer in contact after adjustment.

2. Recovery strop arrangement in adverse sea conditions

Every lifeboat which is also a rescue boat and, in ships which are not provided with a rescue boat, one of the lifeboat, shall be provided with arrangement for the safe recovery of the lifeboat or rescue boat in adverse sea conditions in accordance with Regulation 17. 5 of Chapter III of 1996 Amendments to 1974 SOLAS. This requirement should be applied for ships constructed on or after 1 July 1986.

(To be continued)