The Bahamas Maritime Authority has notified ClassNK of instructions in relation to maintenance and renewal of falls used in launching of lifeboats, liferafts and rescue boats prescribed in the regulation 20. 4 of Chapter III of SOLAS as follows.

1. In lieu of the requirement for turning of falls end for end at intervals of not more than 30 months and their renewal at intervals of not more than 5 years, subject to the following periodic inspection at least annual intervals by competent persons, renewal of falls at intervals of not more than 4 years without turning of falls end for end is acceptable. The competent persons may be the Class Surveyor, manufacturer's representative or shore personnel / senior member of ship's crew experienced or trained in the handling and inspection of wires.
(1) The lifeboat will be lowered to the water in order to have slack wires and no more than one layer of wire left on the drums. The wire will be wiped clean for general inspection of their condition.
(2) The stationary parts of the wires, I.e. parts resting on / within sheaves and locking devices, will be especially inspected.
(3) Once the wire is clean it should be free from corrosion and it should be obvious that the grease had penetrated the whole wire.
(4) After satisfactory inspection the grease (approved type) must be re-applied.
(5) Wires found to be deteriorated will be replaced.

2. Where no service life for marine use is indicated by the manufacturer, stainless steel falls are subject to the same requirements as for galvanized steel falls. Where the service life for marine use is indicated and exceeds five years, renewal of the wire may be carried out at the stated interval, subject to turning end for end or alternative periodic inspection in -1. Above.

3. Instructions, maintenance and record keeping shall be implemented through either
(1) the ship's Instructions for on-board maintenance of life-saving appliances, complying with Reg. III/36 of SOLAS: or
(2) the Planned Maintenance System which is acceptable as an alternative if it includes the requirements of Reg. III/36, as referred to in Reg. III/20. 3 of SOLAS.

(To be continued)