The Marine and Port Authority of Singapore (Singapore MPA) has issued guidance to ensure the safety of life-saving appliances on Singapore-registered vessels. The survey campaign focuses on the primary load-bearing terminations of falls on life-saving appliances (lifeboats, rescue boats, davit-launched life rafts, and associated recovery equipment). Singapore MPA mandates that wire-rope grips, such as bulldog grips, are unacceptable for primary load-bearing terminations.
Lloyd’s Register Requirements
Lloyd’s Register also stipulates in its Code for Lifting Appliances in a Marine Environment (July 2024) that wire rope terminations must adhere to approved manufacturing standards or recognized international standards. Similar to MPA’s stance, LR prohibits the use of wire-rope grips as the primary load-bearing termination.
Recommended Actions for Shipowners, Operators, and Managers
- Inspect Current Arrangements: Shipowners and operators should examine all primary load-bearing terminations on life-saving appliances to confirm compliance with MPA and LR requirements.
- Replace Non-Compliant Terminations: Where wire-rope grips are used as primary terminations, arrange for replacement with approved alternatives such as swaged hard eyes, resin sockets, spelter, wedge sockets, or other arrangements that meet regulatory standards.
- Contact Lloyd’s Register for Guidance: If non-compliant terminations are identified, reach out to LR for further instructions and to coordinate necessary changes during the next scheduled safety equipment survey.
By addressing these requirements, shipowners and operators ensure compliance with Singapore MPA and Lloyd’s Register safety standards, enhancing the safety and reliability of life-saving equipment onboard.
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Source: LR
