Hook Retrofit Buyer's guide
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LIFEBOAT HOOK RETROFIT Buyer’s Guide to Hook Retrofit All you need to know to be compliant VIKING LIFE-SAVING EQUIPMENT Protecting people and business

Hook Retrofit Status Report 19 Hatecke Hook Solution 22 Are Your Hooks non-compliant? 24

The deadline is upon us! What’s the problem? For more than a decade, on-load release hooks have been the cause of numerous accidents, some involving fatalities. Insufficient maintenance, design defects and inadequate training are serious issues. Concerns regarding the possibility of hook failures have often held crews back from performing the necessary drills. The reputation of lifeboats as a reliable safety device has suffered as a result. Mandatory changes Lifeboat hooks are now referred to as “Lifeboat Release and Retrieval Systems” (LRRS) and are the focus of the International Maritime...

Photo: Lowlands Grace Investigation Report A Hazardous History Why new lifeboat hooks are necessary Numerous accounts of hook failures are unfortunately well documented. Gard P&I Club (presented at IMO) n 240,000 annual drills conducted n 1,000 accidents, 1,000 injuries n 100-500 fatalities n 1992: 6 fatalities and 6 injuries, at a cost of $1.6M* n 1994:14 injuries, at a cost of $4.4M* *Documented insurance estimates The Paris Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control n 2003-2006: the cause of 9-11% of detentions n Second only to fire fighting equipment n 2009 analysis: deficiencies...

Equivalent fatalities % Fails, sheaves and blocks Weather Not otherwise classified Total Source: 2001 UK MAIB Investigation Source: 2001 UK MAIB Investigation Root causes Incidents / Fatalities Hook problems Often due to hook reset or on-load release fails Winch brake problems Failing brakes/faulty assembly Davit related problems Gripes/tricing and bowsing/davits Common issue: Failure due to corrosion and wear Photo: Lowlands Grace Investigation Report

HOOK TYPES

Modifications Conventional lifeboat systems have the same A lifeboat release and retrieval system that has been determined to be non-compliant in 7 of the accordance with these Guidelines may be modified release hook arrangementto comply with the requirementsexisting revised paragraphs 4.4.7.6.4 to 4.4.7.6.6 of the LSA Code and the requirements of the applicable Code, provided that the modified release and retrieval system is evaluated in accordance with these Guidelines. Lifeboat Release and Retrieval systems On-load: Makes it possible to release A to of lifeboat release and 8 (LRRS)...

HOOK TYPES Unstable Hooks n On-load with off-load capability n These hooks were popular in the 1980’s n There were fatalities on the North Sea because hooks were not released in time n Hooks isolated from the rest of the system can open under load n Failure of any of the secondary elements will cause the system to open n Reliance on secondary elements for stability adds complexity and increases the risk of human error during operation and maintenance n The load is not over center n Normal release can be implemented at any time

HOOK TYPES Inherently Stable Load Over Center Hooks All inherently stable hooks are now approved according to MSC.1 1392 and included on the GISIS list. n Can be released even with weight on boat n Better than an underbalanced hook, but not safe enough n Off-load with on-load capability n Load over center design n Failure of any of the secondary elements will not cause the system to open n Secondary elements are only required for ancillary functions such as simultaneous release and hook reset, and are not necessary for stability n Normal release can only be executed when waterborne

New regulations Resolution MSC. 317 (89) Introduces new requirements under SOLAS regulation III/1.5 for lifeboat release and retrieval systems (LRRS). Applies to on-load mechanisms installed on all ships. The entry date is January 1, 2013 to take effect on July 1, 2014. Resolution MSC. 320 (89) Revises the LSA Code (Chapter IV). The entry date was January 1, 2013. Main purpose of the code is to prevent unexpected accidents during lifeboat drills and/ or inspections. MSC.1/Circ.1392 Guidelines for Evaluation and Replacement of Lifeboat Release and Retrieval Systems. Only applicable to...

This hook design is considered to be unstable. A system mailfunction can cause it to open and result in a premature launch of the lifeboat Not corrosion resistant material be annot C ed approv New LSA Code and MSC. 81(70) test requirements n 30 kg release force n 45o cam rotation n Corrosion resistant material n Durability test (50 on load releases) n No force on the release cables n Cyclic loading test Many hook designs will not be approved. 11

Mandatory changes Figure 1: Cross-sectional view of a lifeboat. What is a MSC.1/Circ.1392 compliant system? Compliant systems are manufactured using corrosion-resistant materials and address requirements concerning the stability of the hook system and the locking arrangement. 2. Central Release Unit 4. Hydrostatic Interlock 5. Original Mounting Point

GISIS List The complete list of hooks for review manufacturers must submit their LRRS for evaluation. Physical testing is conducted under load, which is witnessed by the Classification Society. If an LRRS fails at any time during the test it is judged non-compliant. In the IMO Global Integrated Shipping Information System, GISIS list you can find hooks submitted for review under list indicates which hooks are found either compliant, compliant with GISIS: Evaluation of Hooks Information on the evaluation of existing lifeboat release and retrieval systems Reporting authorit,; Reporting...

Temporary Measures Fall Prevention Devices According to the MSC. 1327, a Fall Prevention Device (FPD) must be used to provide an alternate load path if the on-load hook or its release mechanism should malfunction. MSC.1/Circ.1327 Guidelines for the fitting and use of Fall Prevention Devices (FPD). Used as an interim risk mitigation measure, only to be used in connection with existing on-load release hooks. LRRS to be done at the earliest opportunity. FPD’s are an interim solution for hook systems that have been deemed non-complaint, or compliant after modification. These devices should be...