Access equipment
Gangways and accommodation ladders.
- Condition inspection
- Five-yearly load testing
Service
Load testing of davits, cranes and access equipment
Five-yearly dynamic load tests and thorough examinations with certified water bags and calibrated dynamometers, witnessed by class where required, in one attendance with the annual lifeboat examination.
Governing requirementIMO Res. MSC.402(96) · SOLAS II-1 Reg. 3-9 · MSC.1/Circ.1331 · ILO Convention 152
The obligation
Why it is required
Resolution MSC.402(96) requires a dynamic test of the winch brake at the five-yearly overhaul, with the boat loaded to 1.1 times its maximum working load. Cranes are load tested at five-yearly thorough examinations under class rules and ILO Convention 152. Means of embarkation and disembarkation are covered by SOLAS II-1 Regulation 3-9 and MSC.1/Circ.1331, which call for a five-yearly load test of accommodation ladders and gangways.
Service intervals at a glance
| Equipment and work | Interval | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Lifeboat and rescue boat launching appliances: dynamic test of the winch brake | At the five-yearly overhaul | MSC.402(96) |
| Cranes: load test | At the five-yearly thorough examination | Class rules, ILO Convention 152 |
| Accommodation ladders and gangways: load test | Every 5 years | SOLAS II-1/3-9, MSC.1/Circ.1331 |
A summary of the intervals described on this page. The instruments cited and the requirements of the vessel's flag and class prevail; the scope is confirmed for each enquiry.
Scope of work
Complete coverage.
Clearly defined.
A concise view of the equipment we service. Your quotation confirms the work required for your vessel.
Cranes & launching appliances
Shipboard cranes, davits and winch brakes.
- Thorough examination and load testing
- Equipment identification and test results
Test equipment & support
Water bags and calibrated dynamometers.
- Controlled application and measurement of load
- Class attendance coordination where required
How we prove competence
Why us
- Load test certificates accepted by ABS, BV, DNV, LR, RINA, ClassNK, KR and Türk Loydu
- Class surveyor attendance arranged by us where the rules require it
- Water bag and dynamometer calibration certificates supplied with every test report
- Water bags allow the required test load to be filled and adjusted on site. The test plan and handling arrangements are agreed for the equipment and working location.
Deliverables
What you receive
- Load test certificate with test load, duration, brake holding results and equipment identification
- Dynamometer calibration certificate
- Photographs of the loaded test in the customer portal
- Combined report when done with the annual lifeboat examination
From our work
Load Test in the field
OUR SERVICE REGIONSTürkiye. Europe.
Türkiye. Europe.
One point of contact.
Our own teams in Türkiye and Europe coordinate your vessel’s service and supply requirements. Choose a country to see the port directory and local coordination details.
Where we attend vessels for load testing
- Türkiye
- Tuzla, Izmit, Yalova, Aliaga, Izmir, Mersin, Iskenderun and other ports in the directory
- Netherlands
- Rotterdam, Europoort, Moerdijk, Vlissingen, Amsterdam and other ports in the directory
- Belgium
- Antwerp, Ghent, Zeebrugge and other ports in the directory
- Germany
- Hamburg, Bremen, Bremerhaven, Wilhelmshaven and other ports in the directory
- France
- Dunkirk, Le Havre, Saint-Nazaire, Marseille and other ports in the directory
Calling in the United States? New York & New Jersey service enquiries are coordinated through our authorised partner network.
Questions
Frequently asked
What load is applied to a lifeboat davit at the five-yearly test?
1.1 times the maximum working load of the launching appliance, applied dynamically to test the winch brake, per MSC.402(96).
Do you bring the weights?
Yes. We attend with certified water bags, pumps and calibrated dynamometers, so nothing needs to be hired locally.
Can the load test be done at anchorage?
Yes, provided there is a safe working platform and fresh or sea water supply for filling the bags.
Does class need to attend?
For lifeboat davits the test is normally witnessed by the class surveyor at the five-yearly survey. We coordinate the surveyor's attendance with the vessel's schedule.
Combine in the same attendance
Other services
Fire Fighting (FFE)
Portable and fixed systems, BA and EEBD, detection.
More
Lifeboat, Davit & Winch
Annual thorough examination, overhaul and release gear.
More
Liferaft & LSA
Approved liferaft station, HRU, lifejackets, loose LSA.
More
Calibration
Gas detectors, ODME, OWS, UTI, gauges, thermometers.
More
Analysis
Foam, dry powder, sprinkler water, breathing air, potable water.
More
GMDSS Radio Survey
Annual radio survey, VDR APT, EPIRB, SART, SSAS.
More
Ship Supply
IMPA coded supply from our own warehouses.
MoreBEFORE YOUR ENQUIRY
Preparing a marine load-testing enquiry
Equipment and rating
Provide equipment type, maker, rated load, drawings where available and the previous test report. Identify the actual lifting point and test configuration.
Access and test arrangements
Share the port, deck access, crane reach and available working window. Test equipment, water arrangements and any attendance by other parties must be planned for the job.
Scope and records
Confirm the required examination and testing scope with the responsible parties before work. Request the measurement records and report deliverables in the quotation.
