Notice on shipboard lifting appliances issued by Isle of Man

The Isle of Man Ship Registry published a technical advisory notice (TAN 009-23) regarding shipboard lifting appliances.

The notice was published on 29 September 2023.

Introduction

To enhance safety during lifting operations, the IMO has adopted Resolution MSC.532(107) that amends SOLAS II-1 and adds additional requirements for shipboard lifting appliances and anchor handling winches.

This notice provides operators with guidance on the new requirements.

The current requirements for the maintenance of lifting appliances are covered by the 1989 Merchant Shipping (Hatches, Hold Access and Lifting Plant) Regulations.

Timeline & Application

The new requirements will enter into force on 1st of January 2026 and will apply to all vessels subject to the requirements of SOLAS II-1.

Ships constructed prior to the 1st of January 2026 must comply no later than the date of either the first annual survey, the first periodical survey or the first renewal survey on or after the 1st of January 2026.

The requirements apply to all lifting appliances, anchor handling winches, and loose gear utilized with them.

The requirements do not apply to:

Lifting appliances on Mobile Offshore Drilling Units.
Offshore construction ships, such as pipe/cable laying/repair or offshore installation vessels, including ships for decommissioning work, that comply with existing standards of a Recognized Organization given in MSN 020.
Integrated mechanical equipment for opening and closing hold hatch covers.
Life-saving launching appliances complying with the International Life-Saving Appliance (LSA) Code.
Commercial Yachts that comply with the 1989 Merchant Shipping (Hatches, Hold Access and Lifting Plant) Regulations. The requirements allow the Ship Registry to determine the extent to which the requirements apply to lifting appliances with a Safe Working Load (SWL) below 1000kg. The Ship Registry has determined that these Lifting Appliances do not need to comply with the new requirements and that these should continue to comply with the 1989 Merchant Shipping (Hatches, Hold Access and Lifting Plant) Regulations.

Requirements

Design, construction, and installation

Lifting appliances and anchor handling winches shall be designed, constructed, and installed in accordance with the requirements of a Recognized Organization.

All lifting appliances and anchor handling winches are to be load tested and thoroughly examined by a competent person (as defined in the Masters Handbook) after installation and before being taken into use for the first time.

Any repairs, modifications, or alterations of major character would require the lifting appliance to be load tested again.

Alterations of major character are those which:

Change the SWL.
Affect the strength, stability, or service life of the lifting appliance.
Affect the primary load-bearing structure of the lifting appliance.
Modify the functionality of the lifting appliance or any part thereof which may affect its or safety or structural integrity.

Safe working load

Lifting appliances installed on or after 1 January 2026 shall be permanently marked and provided with documentary evidence for the SWL.

Lifting appliances installed before 1 January 2026 shall be tested and thoroughly examined, based on the Guidelines set out in MSC.1/Circ.1663, and shall be permanently marked and provided with documentary evidence for the SWL no later than the date of the first renewal survey on or after 1 January 2026.

Maintenance, operation, inspection, and testing

All lifting appliances, anchor handling winches, and all utilized loose gear shall be operationally tested and maintained by a responsible person.

A responsible person is appointed by the master or company as someone possessing the knowledge and experience required for the performance of duties specified in the Guidelines set out in MSC.1/Circ.1662 and MSC.1/Circ.1663.

Inoperative lifting appliances and anchor handling winches

Provided that lifting equipment has been appropriately maintained; malfunctioning lifting equipment should not be cause for a deficiency or detention.

Where a malfunction occurs, it is the duty of the master to mitigate any risks.

Mitigation practices may include:

Taking into consideration the malfunctioning equipment when planning and executing a voyage.
Ensuring that the equipment will not be operated or move uncontrollably.
Marking the equipment as damaged.
Storing any malfunctioning loose gear separately.
Making a record of the damaged equipment in the register of ship's lifting appliances.

For more information, please see the document below (available only to subscribers):