IMMERSION SUIT Sử dụng nhiệt độ nước biển nhỏ 10 độ C (water temperature < 10 o c) Các phận cần check:          retro-reflective tapes face-shield (tấm bảo vệ mặt) zipper toggle (cái khóa kéo) waterproof zipper (đường khóa kéo kín nước) air bladder (túi khí phía sau lưng phần đối diện ngực) air hose (ống dẫn khí cho túi khí- phía vai & ngực trái) personal light (đèn ngực phải) whistle (còi- gắn với khóa kéo) air/water escape valves (van thoát nước/khí -ở mắt cá trong) To keep your immersion suit in good working condition, you should perform a routine inspection every months Đưa áo trải lên sàn sau check:     Check if the Air bladder remains fully inflated for 24 hours Inspect the suit for holes, tears and signs of wear Make sure the retro-reflective tapes are still in place and not worn out The zipper should operate smoothly and be lubricated with a non-petroleum based product (bees’ wax or manufacture recommended substance)  Check the whistle (thổi còi)  Check light and its battery expire date (có thể nhúng đèn vào nước để kiểm tra tình trạng hoạt động nước) After inspection, store the suit in its own bag Store the immersion suit in a dry and well-lubricated place It is importance that the storage place is easily accessible Recommend inspection by an approved repair facility every two years Suits years and older should be inspected annually Bailey suit recommends suit replacement after 10 years of age Inspection by user monthly (inspected vessel) annually (uninspected vessel) Pressure test not to exceed years, more frequently for 10 years & over IMO Guidelines for Periodic Testing Of Immersion Suit Seam & Closures MSC Circular 1114 Air pressure test thực theo hướng dẫn dụng cụ nhà sản xuất, bơm phồng lên tới áp suất theo yêu cầu nhà chế tạo quét loại nước chuyen dụng vào chỗ có khả bị hở để xem có hở không (nếu có lỗ hở bọt khí tạo ra) Ban đầu cạn phun nước vào áo mặc người thử cân lên để xác định khối lượng người áo ướt, sau cho người mặc áo ướt xuống nước ngâm thời gian lên cân lại xác định khối lượng xem có sai khác với khối lượng lúc chưa xuống nước không khối lượng tăng lên có nước vào-áo hở) LIFEBOATS & DAVITS We have developed a series of ISO 9001:2008 inspection procedures for lifeboats, FRCs, lifeboat release and retrieval systems, davits and winches:          Internal and external condition inspections Battery charging, elictrical and lighting systems Engine, gearbox, drive train, propeller and rudder inspections Oil and fuel filter changes Lifeboat release and retrieval systems inspections and function tests (including cam tolerances and wear analysis) SOALS consumable inspestions for correct quantities, condition and expiry dates Inspections of davits, sheaves and fall wires for wear and corrosion Inspection of winch brakes and critical measurements Rate of descent and retrieval compliance with SOLAS requirements MAINTENANCE & INSPECTION We offer a comprehensive range of maintenance and inspection services in accordance with the latest SOLAS regulations, MSC.1/Circ.1206 Rev 1, MSC.1/Circ.1277 and relevant MODU codes Our services include:  Six-month and annual inspections of lifeboats, FRCs, davits, winches, and lifeboat release and retrieval sysstems  Five-yearly overload testing of lifeboats, davits, winches, and lifeboat release and retrieval systems  Five-yearly fall wire replacements  Five-yearly air cylinder replacements  Mechanical and GRP repairs  Refurbishing and retrofitting of lifeboats, FRCs, davits, winches, and lifeboat release and retrieval systems Our service engineers can also deliver equipment familiarisation courses to crews on lifeboats, FRCs and lifeboat release and retrieval systems during service visits Free-fall lifeboat launch This report does not arise from an incident but is rather an advisory to ships’ crews who may have to operate free-fall lifeboats These are being fitted on many new ships and are recommended on bulk carriers by Solas Regulation III/31.1.2 and paragraph 6.1.3 of the Life Saving Appliances (LSA) Code Regulations also require that these craft are launched once every six months, as opposed to every three months for conventional davit-launched lifeboats There is no standard procedure for launching free-fall lifeboats, as design and fittings vary considerably However, in order to inform seafarers on good practice, the following broad guidelines are given: Before launching Before the drill, carry out a risk assessment, identify hazards, take appropriate measures to eliminate or control them and record the same; Fully brief all crew, including those who are assigned duties other than lifeboat crew, or are going to be observers, on the design features and the proper operation of all devices and controls; Confirm lifeboat and launching/recovery crews fully understand correct procedures and contingency plans; Obtain permission from harbour authorities, PFSO, as appropriate; Release securing devices; Disconnect battery charger; Secure ventilation hatch watertight; Switch electrical system to battery power; Check off the crew on the muster list while they board the craft in the assigned order Once crew are in the lifeboat Secure door watertight; Ensure all crew members are seated with body and head restraints securely fastened Confirm this verbally to coxswain during final headcount check ; Follow manufacturer’s instructions as to when to start engine and if the gear should be engaged or not at time of launch; Ensure rudder is midships; Coxswain to give verbal warning that launch is about to take place immediately before operating the release control; Coxswain launches the lifeboat If the main release device fails to launch the lifeboat, the assigned crew member operates the emergency lifeboat release lever There are different types of lifeboats used on board a ship on the basis of the type of ship and other special requirements Not all the lifeboats have the same type of releasing mechanisms, for the launching of a lifeboat depends on several other factors In this article we will take a look at the main types of lifeboat releasing mechanisms and also learn about the SOLAS requirements for lifeboats Types of lifeboat releases: On load and off load release There are two types of lifeboat releasing mechanisms- on load and off load These mechanisms release the boat from the davit, which is attached to a wire or fall by means of a hook By releasing the hook the lifeboat can be set free to propel away from the ship Off load mechanism: The off load mechanism releases the boat after the load of the boat is transferred to water or the boat has been lowered fully into the sea When the boat touches the surface of water, the load on the fall and hence the hook releases and due to its mechanism the hook detaches from the fall If the detachment dose not takes place, any of the crew members can remove the hook from the fall Most of the times the offload mechanism is manually disengaged in case of malfunction; however, in case of fire, it is dangerous to go out and release the hook On load mechanism: On load mechanism can release the lifeboat from the wire, with the ship above the water level and with all the crew members inside the boat The load will be still on the fall as the boat would not have touched the water Normally the height of about m is kept for the on load release, so that the fall is smooth without damaging the boat and harming the crew inside A lever is provided inside the boat to operate this mechanism As the lever is operated from inside, it is safe to free the boat without going of the out lifeboat, when there is a fire on ship Free Fall life boat release: In Free fall life boat, the launching mechanism is similar to on load release the only difference is that the free fall lifeboat is not lowered till 1m above water level, it is launched from the stowed position by operating a lever located inside the boat which releases the boat from rest of the davit and boat slides through the tilted ramp into the water SOLAS and LSA code Requirements for lifeboat: -The size, number and the capacity of the lifeboat for a merchant vessel is decided by the type of the ship and number of ship’s crew, but it should not be less then 7.3 m in length and minimum two lifeboats are provided on both side of the ship (port and starboard) -The requirement for lifeboat of a cargo ship with 20,000 GT is that the boat must be capable of launching when the ship is heading with a speed of knots -The lifeboat must carry all the equipments described under SOLAS which can be used in survival at sea It includes rations, fresh water, first aid, compass, distress signalling equipments like rocket etc -The ship must carry one rescue boat for rescue purpose along with other lifeboats One lifeboat can be designated as a rescue boat if more then one lifeboat is present onboard ship -The gravity davits must be hold and slide down the lifeboat even when the ship is heeled to an angle of 15 degree on either side Ropes are used to hold the lifeboat in stowed position with cradle These ropes are called gripes -The wires which lift or lower the lifeboat are known as falls and the speed of the lifeboat descent should not be more then 36m/ which is controlled by means of centrifugal brakes -The hoisting time for the boat launching appliance should not be less then 0.3 m/sec with the boat loaded to its full capacity -The Lifeboat must be painted in international bright orange color with the ship’s call sign printed on it -The lifeboat station must be easily accessible for all the crew members in all circumstances Safety awareness posters and launching procedures must be posted at lifeboat station -Regular drills must be carried out to ensure that the ship’s crew members are capable of launching the boat with minimal time during real emergency Image Credits: