Inspections, repair, maintenance, overhaul and certification

ARA Marine offers a full range of lifeboat inspection and repair services compliant to SOLAS Chapter III – from annual servicing to a thorough five-yearly inspection.

Our partner service providers are maker, class and flag approved, which enables us to assist with all lifeboat brands.

Services

ARA Marine provides the following services:

• Annual and five-yearly inspection of lifeboats and davits
• Interlock troubleshooting
• Pre-AMSA inspection
• Hook modification and re-hooking
• Engine troubleshooting and repairs
• Hull repairs
• Spare parts

Compliance

• Service in accordance with MSC. 402 (96)
• Maker, class, and flag state approved service

Manufacturer approvals

• Jiangsu Jiaoyan Marine Equipment
• Oriental Precision & Engineering
• Jiangyin Neptune Marine Appliance
• Jiangyinshi Beihai LSA CO
• Ningbo Asia FRP
• Qingdao Beihai Shipbuilding Heavy Industry
• Wuxi Hai Hong Boat Making

BV Class approved service supplier

Contact us for the certificate.

Instructions to ship owners/managers/master from AMSA

AMSA highly recommends the following checks:

1. Ensure the release system and interlock is set correctly.
2. If indicators are fitted, check they are clear and in correct position.
3. Ensure the instructions are kept secured in the boat.
4. Ensure the lifeboat’s painter release unit is operable.
5. Ensure the engine has enough fuel and de-watered.
6. Try out the lifeboat engine and make sure there are no start delays.
7. Check the propulsion in Ahead/Astern and steering in all directions.
8. Ensure the engine starting batteries are kept in optimum condition.

Deficiencies in any of these areas will result in the ship being detained until a lifeboat technician can fix the issues.

AMSA guideline

​Common lifeboat inspection issues

As per Marine and Coastguard Agency MGN 560, the most common lifeboat inspection issues are:

• Failure of the on-load release mechanism
• Inadvertent operation of the on-load release mechanism
• Inadequate maintenance of lifeboats, davits and launching equipment
• Communication failures
• Lack of familiarity with lifeboats, davits, equipment, and associated controls
• Unsafe practices during lifeboat drills and inspections
• Design faults other than on-load release mechanisms.

Lifeboats are an essential part of crew safety in an emergency. To keep the lifeboats and launching appliances updated in functional condition for immediate operation, routine checks and maintenance must be done. International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) requires and sets the standards for lifeboat inspection services to be conducted by the shore service technicians. Our reference is Class Guideline for Maintenance of Safety Equipment.

Lifeboat inspection

SOLAS Chapter III specifies the need for servicing, annual inspections and a thorough five-year inspection.

ARA Marine’s experienced lifeboat technicians are in all major Australian ports to ensure that your vessel’s lifeboats and launching appliances are always inspected and serviced compliant with IMO SOLAS requirements under MSC.1/Circ.1206/Rev.1 and MSC.1/Circ.1277.

Annual lifeboat inspection

ARA Marine carry out annual lifeboat inspections under the approvals by flags, ROs, and manufacturers, and as per lifeboat annual inspection checklist.

We use extended and detailed checklists for release gears, lifeboats, and launching appliances to guarantee the highest standards of safety for passengers and crew.

At any port of your convenience in Australia, our service team will visit your vessel to conduct a regulatory lifeboat inspection. Using OEM approved checklists and procedures, we will assess the actual condition of the equipment and items to be serviced.

Lifeboat checks

Key lifeboat checks include:

• Checking previous inspections, servicing, repairs and maintenance records.
• Servicing according to a system specific service protocol.
• Replacing parts in accordance to SOLAS regulation III/36 – Instructions for on-board maintenance.
• Inspecting the release system.
• Inspecting the power supply, air, bailing, deluge, steering, engine and propulsion system.
• Function testing the on/off-load release system.

Davit checks

Key davit checks include:

• Inspecting the davit structure to check for corrosion, oil leaks and general deterioration.
• Inspecting the wires and sheaves for possible damage such as kinks and corrosion.
• Opening and inspecting the winch, foundation, hydraulic, brake mechanism, and gearbox.

ARA Marine will provide you with recommendations to ensure the equipment is operationally safe and ready to use.

Five-yearly lifeboat inspection

Five-yearly inspections are carried out under the approvals by flags, ROs, and manufacturers. We use extended and detailed checklists, as well as our certified test equipment for release gears, lifeboats, and launching appliances to guarantee the highest standards of safety for passengers and crew.

The five-yearly inspection is a comprehensive service assessment of the lifeboat and davit systems and can be carried out at a shipyard or offshore location at your convenience. Our service team will visit your vessel to conduct a regulatory inspection, and using OEM approved checklists and procedures. In addition, we will assess the actual condition of the equipment and items to be serviced.

Lifeboat checks

Key lifeboat checks include:

• Overhaul of the release system
• Inspect the air supply system
• Verify air bottles certificate or re-certification
• Function test Off-load release system
• Lifeboat On-load release test with 1.1 x SWL

Davit checks

Key davit checks include:

• Inspect davit structure, check for corrosion, oil leaks and general deterioration.
• Inspect wires and sheaves for possible damages such as kinks and corrosion.
• Inspect lubrication of wires, sheaves, and moving parts.
• Open and inspect the winch, foundation, hydraulic brake mechanism, and gearbox.
• Inspect stored power systems, where fitted.
• Dynamic load test winch with 1.1 x SWL.

ARA Marine will provide you with recommendations to ensure the equipment is operationally safe and ready to use.

Davits repairs, overhaul and preventive maintenance

ARA Marine provides a range of repair, overhaul and preventive maintenance services. Depending on the work required, it can be carried out either onboard or at any of our facilities around Australia. Genuine spare parts are provided as part of our many turnkey solutions we offer.

Mechanical components (sheaves, rollers, etc.), electrical components (limit switches, etc.) and hydraulic components (various types of valves, piping, pumps, etc.) are provided and replaced as part of the repairs and maintenance.

Lifeboats engines repair and preventive maintenance

ARA Marine provides and installs new engines, completely overhauls existing engines, and renews engine rooms (insulation, fuel lines, electrical system, etc.).

As a part of these services, ARA Marine also provides replacement of shaft, shaft seals, gearboxes, propellers, hydro-jets, and repair services.