RESOLUTION MSC.320(89)

(adopted on 20 May 2011)

 

ADOPTION OF AMENDMENTS TO THE INTERNATIONAL LIFE-SAVING APPLIANCE (LSA) CODE

 

 

THE MARITIME SAFETY COMMITTEE,

 

RECALLING Article 28(b) of the Convention on the International Maritime Organization concerning the functions of the Committee,

 

NOTING resolution MSC.48(66), by which it adopted the International Life-Saving Appliance Code (hereinafter referred to as "the LSA Code"), which has become mandatory under chapter III of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974 (hereinafter referred to as "the Convention"),

 

NOTING ALSO article VIII(b) and regulation III/3.10 of the Convention concerning the procedure for amending the LSA Code,

 

HAVING CONSIDERED, at its eighty-ninth session, amendments to the LSA Code, proposed and circulated in accordance with article VIII(b)(i) of the Convention,

 

1.         ADOPTS, in accordance with article VIII(b)(iv) of the Convention, amendments to the LSA Code, the text of which is set out in the Annex to the present resolution;

 

2.         DETERMINES, in accordance with article VIII(b)(vi)(2)(bb) of the Convention, that the amendments shall be deemed to have been accepted on 1 July 2012, unless prior to that date, more than one third of the Contracting Governments to the Convention or Contracting Governments the combined merchant fleets of which constitute not less than 50% of the gross tonnage of the world's merchant fleet, have notified their objections to the amendments;

 

3.         INVITES Contracting Governments to note that, in accordance with article VIII(b)(vii)(2) of the Convention, the amendments shall enter into force on 1 January 2013 upon their acceptance in accordance with paragraph 2 above;

 

4.         REQUESTS the Secretary-General, in conformity with article VIII(b)(v) of the Convention, to transmit certified copies of the present resolution and the text of the amendments contained in the Annex to all Contracting Governments to the Convention;

 

5.         FURTHER REQUESTS the Secretary-General to transmit copies of this resolution and its Annex to Members of the Organization which are not Contracting Governments to the Convention.

 

 

ANNEX

 

AMENDMENTS TO THE INTERNATIONAL LIFE-SAVING APPLIANCES (LSA) CODE

 

CHAPTER IV
 SURVIVAL CRAFT

 

1          In paragraph 4.4.7.6, the following new subparagraphs .2 to .6 are inserted after the existing subparagraph .1:

 

".2       notwithstanding subparagraph .7.2 the mechanism shall only open when the release mechanism is operated with the boat fully waterborne or, if the boat is not waterborne, by multiple, deliberate and sustained action which shall include the removal or bypassing of safety interlocks designed to prevent premature or inadvertent release;

 

.2.1       the mechanism shall not be able to open due to wear, misalignment and unintended force within the hook assembly or operating mechanism, control rods or cables as may be connected to, or form part of the hook assembly and with trim of up to 10° and a list of up to 20° either way; and

 

.2.2       the functional criteria of 4.4.7.6.2 and 4.4.7.6.2.1 apply for the range of loads, representing 0% to 100% of the safe working load of the lifeboat release and retrieval system for which it may be approved;

 

.3        unless a release mechanism is of the load over centre type, which is held fully closed by the weight of the lifeboat, the hook assembly shall be designed so that the moveable hook component is kept fully closed by the hook locking parts capable of holding its safe working load under any operational conditions until the hook locking part is deliberately caused to open by means of the operating mechanism. For designs utilizing the tail of the movable hook component and cam either directly or indirectly securing the tail of the movable hook component, the hook assembly shall continue to be closed and hold its safe working load through rotation of the cam of up to 45 degrees in either direction, or 45 degrees in one direction if restricted by design, from its locked position;

 

.4        to provide hook stability, the release mechanism shall be designed so that, when it is fully reset in the closed position, the weight of the lifeboat does not cause any force to be transmitted to the operating mechanism;

 

.5        locking devices shall be designed so that they can not turn to open due to forces from the hook load; and

 

.6        if a hydrostatic interlock is provided, it shall automatically reset upon lifting the boat from the water."

 

2          In paragraph 4.4.7.6, the existing subparagraph .2 is replaced by the following:

 

".7 the mechanism shall have two release capabilities: normal (off-load) release capability and on-load release capability:

 

.7.1       normal (off-load) release capability shall release the lifeboat when it is waterborne or when there is no load on the hooks, and not require manual separation of the lifting ring or shackle from the jaw of the hook; and

 

.7.2       on-load release capability shall release the lifeboat with a load on the hooks. This release mechanism shall be provided with a hydrostatic interlock unless other means are provided to ensure that the boat is waterborne before the release mechanism can be activated. In case of failure or when the boat is not waterborne, there shall be a means to override the hydrostatic interlock or similar device to allow emergency release. This interlock override capability shall be adequately protected against accidental or premature use. Adequate protection shall include special mechanical protection not normally required for off-load release, in addition to a danger sign. The protection shall be deliberately destroyed by applying a suitable minimum force, for instance by breaking a protection glass or translucent cover. A label or thin wire seal is not considered sufficiently robust. To prevent a premature on-load release, on-load operation of the release mechanism shall require multiple, deliberate and sustained action or actions by the operator;".

 

3          In paragraph 4.4.7.6, the existing subparagraph .3 is renumbered as subparagraph .8 and the words "without excessive force" are replaced by the words ", and any indicators shall not indicate the release mechanism is reset".

 

4          In paragraph 4.4.7.6, the following new subparagraph .9 is inserted after the renumbered subparagraph 8:

 

".9 all components of the hook unit, release handle unit, control cables or mechanical operating links and the fixed structural connections in a lifeboat shall be of material corrosion resistant in the marine environment without the need for coatings or galvanizing. Design and manufacturing tolerances shall be such that anticipated wear throughout the service life of the mechanism shall not adversely affect its proper functioning. Mechanical operating links such as control cables shall be waterproof and shall have no exposed or unprotected areas;".

 

5          In paragraph 4.4.7.6, the existing subparagraphs .4 to .8 are renumbered as subparagraphs .10 to .14, respectively.

 

6          In paragraph 4.4.7.6, in the renumbered subparagraph .10, the word "clearly" is replaced by the word "unambiguously".

 

7          In paragraph 4.4.7.6, in the renumbered subparagraph .14, the words "the load-bearing components of the release mechanism and" are added at the beginning and the words "of the release mechanism" are deleted.

 

8          In paragraph 4.4.7.6, the following new subparagraphs .15 and .16 are inserted after the renumbered subparagraph .14:

 

".15     a hydrostatic interlock shall be designed for a factor of safety of not less than 6 times maximum operating force based on the ultimate strength of the materials used;

 

.16      the operating cables shall be designed for a factor of safety of not less than 2.5 times maximum operating force based on the ultimate strength of the materials used; and".

 

9          In paragraph 4.4.7.6, the existing subparagraph .9 is renumbered as subparagraph .17 and in