[Code of Federal Regulations]

[Title 46, Volume 4]

[Revised as of October 1, 2006]

From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access

[CITE: 46CFR108.553]



[Page 149]

 

                            TITLE 46_SHIPPING



                  (This book contains parts 90 to 139)

 

   CHAPTER I--COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED)

 

PART 108_DESIGN AND EQUIPMENT--Table of Contents

 

                     Subpart E_Lifesaving Equipment

 

Sec.  108.553  Survival craft launching and recovery arrangements 

using falls and a winch.



    Survival craft launching and recovery arrangements, in addition to 

meeting the requirements in Sec.  108.550, must meet the following 

requirements:

    (a) Each fall wire must be of rotation-resistant and corrosion-

resistant steel wire rope.

    (b) The breaking strength of each fall wire and each attachment used 

on the fall must be at least six times the load imparted on the fall by 

the fully-loaded survival craft.

    (c) Each fall must be long enough for the survival craft to reach 

the water with the unit in its lightest seagoing condition, under 

unfavorable conditions of trim and with the unit listed not less than 20 

degrees either way.

    (d) Each unguarded fall must not pass near any operating position of 

the winch, such as hand cranks, payout wheels, and brake levers.

    (e) Each winch drum must be arranged so the fall wire winds onto the 

drum in a level wrap, and a multiple drum winch must be arranged so that 

the falls wind off at the same rate when lowering, and onto the drums at 

the same rate when hoisting.

    (f) Each fall, where exposed to damage or fouling, must have guards 

or equivalent protection. Each fall that leads along a deck must be 

covered with a guard that is not more than 300 millimeters (1 foot) 

above the deck.

    (g) The lowering speed for a fully loaded survival craft must be not 

less than that obtained from the following formula:

    (1) S=0.4+(0.02 H), where S is the speed of lowering in meters per 

second, and H is the height in meters from the davit head to the 

waterline at the lightest seagoing condition, with H not greater than 

30, regardless of the lowering height.

    (2) S=79+(1.2 H), where S is the speed of lowering in feet per 

minute, and H is the height in feet, with H not greater than 99.

    (h) The lowering speed for a survival craft loaded with all of its 

equipment must be not less than 70 percent of the speed required under 

paragraph (g) of this section.

    (i) The lowering speed for a fully loaded survival craft must be not 

more than 1.3 meters per second (256 feet per minute).

    (j) If a survival craft is recovered by electric power, the 

electrical installation, including the electric power-operated boat 

winch, must meet the requirements in subchapter J of this chapter. If a 

survival craft is recovered by any means of power, including a portable 

power source, safety devices must be provided which automatically cut 

off the power before the davit arms or falls reach the stops in order to 

avoid overstressing the falls or davits, unless the motor is designed to 

prevent such overstressing.

    (k) Each launching appliance must be fitted with brakes that meet 

the following requirements:

    (1) The brakes must be capable of stopping the descent of the 

survival craft or rescue boat and holding it securely when loaded with 

it full complement of persons and equipment.

    (2) The brake pads must, where necessary, be protected from water 

and oil.

    (3) Manual brakes must be arranged so that the brake is always 

applied unless the operator, or a mechanism activated by the operator, 

holds the brake control in the off position.