PSC deficiency code 11113: Launching arrangements for rescue boats
Area 11 Life-saving appliances
Code 11113 covers the gear that puts the rescue boat in the water and brings it back with people in it: usually a single-arm davit with a powered winch, its brake, the fall, the release hook and the controls. The boat and its engine are code 11104, and lifeboat davits are 11112. The inspector's doubt is whether the crew could launch the boat quickly for a man overboard and recover it safely.
What the inspector looks at
The officer often asks for the boat to be lowered, sometimes to the water.
- the davit slewing out and back without seized bearings or heavy wastage
- the winch brake holding, lowering speed under control, and the powered hoist for recovery
- the hand crank for manual recovery present and usable
- the fall and sheaves, with end-for-end and renewal dates
- the release hook and painter release, and whether the crew can work them
- limit switches, emergency stop and controls
- weekly and monthly inspection records, plus annual and five-yearly examination reports
Common findings
- Rescue boat davit could not be slewed out, hydraulic leak
- Winch brake not holding
- Rescue boat could not be recovered with powered winch
- Hand crank for manual recovery missing
- Davit wire not turned end for end, renewal date passed
- Davit limit switch inoperative
- Annual thorough examination of rescue boat davit overdue
The rule behind it
SOLAS chapter III, regulation 17 covers embarkation, launching and recovery arrangements for rescue boats, and regulation 14 requires the rescue boat to be stowed in continuous readiness for launching in not more than five minutes. Regulation 20 covers weekly and monthly inspections and requires falls to be turned end for end at intervals of not more than 30 months and renewed when deteriorated or at not more than five years, whichever is earlier. The LSA Code, chapter VI, covers launching appliances. Thorough examinations and winch brake tests follow IMO resolution MSC.402(96), mandatory through SOLAS chapter III.
Action codes you are likely to see
A hand crank found in the store and put back at the davit can be marked 10. A fall past its renewal date or an overdue thorough examination is usually 17. The IMO list of detainable deficiencies includes absence, failure or serious deterioration of launching and recovery arrangements, so a davit or winch that can't launch or recover the rescue boat may be treated as a ground for detention (30). See action taken codes.
How to close it
The crew can grease sheaves, replace the hand crank and turn the fall end for end, recording each job. Brake, winch and hydraulic repairs, and the tests after them, go to a service provider authorised under MSC.402(96). A new fall comes with the maker's certificate. Then launch and recover the boat in front of the inspector and log it as a drill. Keep the report, certificate, photos and drill entry with the Form B. Related: rescue boats and launching arrangements for survival craft.