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Lifeboats

PAGE INDEX:

APPROVAL GUIDANCE

APPROVAL
CATEGORY		 EQUIPMENT MRA
APPROVED
160.034 LIFEBOAT HAND PROPELLING GEAR (OBSOLETE) NO
160.035 LIFEBOAT FOR MERCHANT VESSELS NO
160.065 PROTECTIVE COVER FOR LIFE BOATS (OBSOLETE) NO
160.135 LIFEBOAT (SOLAS) NO

LIFEBOAT HAND PROPELLING GEAR


APPROVAL CATEGORY:  160.034

APPROVAL GUIDANCE & INFORMATION:  This item is no longer approved.

LIFEBOAT FOR MERCHANT VESSELS


APPROVAL CATEGORY:  160.035 

APPROVAL GUIDANCE & INFORMATION:  Approval under 46 CFR 160.035 is only for lifeboats installed on domestic commercial vessels that are for replacement in kind.  Lifeboats approved under this category cannot be placed onboard a commercial vessel engaged in foreign voyages or for new lifeboat installations. Please see the Lifeboat CHECKLIST for information on the approval requirements and process.  For SOLAS installations, see 160.135.  The Coast Guard does not test materials or systems for approval but rather specifies the required test methods and minimum performance criteria for approval.  Product testing must be performed by a Coast Guard Accepted Independent Laboratory.

LINKS:

FIRE-RETARDANT RESINS GUIDE

FIRE RETARDANT RESINS, APPROVED

APPROVED LIFEBOAT ENGINES

SUBMITTAL PACKAGE:  Please submit the follow information in the Submittal Package:
Please send the Submittal Package and other related information to the following address:

Commandant (CG-ENG-4)
U.S. Coast Guard
2100 Second Street, S.W. Stop 7126
Washington, DC 20593-7126

Once the equipment has been approved by this office, it will receive Coast Guard Type Approval and a Certificate of Approval (COA).  The COA will be issued for 5 years and will remain valid during that time period if the product meets the testing of the Quality Control Program.

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PROTECTIVE COVER FOR LIFE BOATS


APPROVAL CATEGORY:  160.065

APPROVAL GUIDANCE & INFORMATION:  This item is no longer approved.

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LIFEBOAT (SOLAS)


APPROVAL CATEGORY:  160.135 

APPROVAL GUIDANCE & INFORMATION:  Lifeboats approved under 46 CFR 160.135 can be placed onboard a commercial vessel engaged in both domestic and foreign voyages. Please see the Lifeboat CHECKLIST for information on the approval requirements and process. The Coast Guard does not test materials or systems for approval but rather specifies the required test methods and minimum performance criteria for approval.  Product testing must be performed by a Coast Guard Accepted Independent Laboratory.

LINKS:

REQUIRED EQUIPMENT

FIRE-RETARDANT RESINS GUIDE

APPROVED LIFEBOAT ENGINES

SUBMITTAL PACKAGE:  Please submit the follow information in the Submittal Package:
Please send the Submittal Package and other related information to the following address:

Commandant (CG-ENG-4)
U.S. Coast Guard
2100 Second Street, S.W. Stop 7126
Washington, DC 20593-7126

Once the equipment has been approved by this office, it will receive Coast Guard Type Approval and a Certificate of Approval (COA).  The COA will be issued for 5 years and will remain valid during that time period if the product meets the testing of the Quality Control Program.

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BUOYANCY MATERIAL ACCEPTANCE GUIDANCE


The Coast Guard uses the IMO requirements for acceptance of buoyancy material for SOLAS lifeboats and rescue boats.   These same materials may be used in some ring buoys, life floats, buoyant apparatus, and the like.  (For some domestic applications, materials meeting the 46 CFR 160.035 Mil specifications may also be used.)

For acceptance of any material we must have a full detailed test report, not just an approval certificate or other certification.  We cannot proceed without the complete report.  An independent laboratory, or a ship classification society does NOT need to witness the tests.

The IMO tests are in section 6.2 of the IMO Recommendation on Testing (A.689)

We encourage you to use the IMO Test Report Forms for Lifeboat Buoyant Materials – 4.3.3 LIFEBOAT BUOYANT MATERIAL, EVALUATION AND TEST REPORT

An acceptable submittal in accordance with the above procedure will be added to our list of USCG accepted buoyancy material for use in SOLAS rescue boats and survival craft.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONs:

Q – Will the Coast Guard accept our material based on a Class Society or foreign administrations approval/acceptance?
A – No, we do not accept materials based on others’ approval certificates/documents unless you submit the complete test report for the material that was the basis for the acceptance.

Q -- Shall we do a whole new test - following the IMO-recommendation?
A – Yes. If you do not have a complete report from an earlier test, a complete new test will be required for SOLAS material acceptance. 

Q -- Who and where will you recommend the test to be carried out?
A -- The tests may be performed in the manufacturers lab. 

Q -- What is the estimated costs to get the U.S. Coast Guard approval?
A -- There is not a USCG fee at present.

Q -- Can we make foam samples with our own machinery or shall it be produced at the boat manufacturer?
A -- You may use your own machinery provided it produces the same product that boat builders will produce. 

Q – Does my report need to be written in English?
A – Yes. 

Q – May I run some tests on one batch of material and other test on a different batch of material?
A -- In general, all the tests should be run on material from the same batch/lot or better, each test on the same group of batches/lots.  Otherwise there is no way to know how variations in the material are affecting the results.

Q - What is the difference between diesel fuel and fuel oil?
A – IMO Resolution A.689 has been revised to add the "grades" of oil as follows:

6.2.3  In addition to the test in 6.2.2, specimens of the material should be immersed in each of the following for a period of 14 days under a 100 mm head:
.1         two specimens in crude oil;
.2         two specimens in marine fuel oil (grade C);
.3         two specimens in diesel oil (grade A);
.4         two specimens in high octane petroleum spirit; and
.5         two specimens in kerosene.

The "grade" ratings do not appear to be any ASTM or other USA specification but are ISO specifications (refer to ISO standards ISO 8216 and ISO 8217 - Petroleum products).  "Bunker C" is a common terminology used in ships' fuels.  We would accept test results run with Bunker C.

An adequate test report and documentation for approval should include the following:

The testing laboratory shall prepare a complete test report covering all of the testing done for assessment of the buoyant material.  (This test report shall be kept on file, as long as the acceptance is in force, and for at least five years after the acceptance is terminated.  The testing facility shall also keep a set of drawings and specifications describing the material inspected and tested.  The test report, drawings, and specifications shall be made available on request to the Coast Guard.  The test report should include:

            (1) The name of the manufacturer.
            (2) The name and address of the testing facility or laboratory.
            (3) The trade name, product designation (such as model numbers),
                   and a brief description of the equipment and/or material inspected or tested.
            (4) The time, date, and place of each approval inspection and test.
            (5) The name and title of each person performing, supervising, and witnessing
                     the inspections or tests.
            (6) The performance data for each test, including a description of each failure.
            (7) A description or photographs of the procedures and apparatus used in the
                    inspections or tests, or a reference to another document that contains an
                    appropriate description or photographs.
            (8) At least one photograph that shows an overall view of the equipment or material
                    submitted for approval and other photographs that show.
                        (i) Design details; and
                        (ii) Each occurrence of damage or deformation to the equipment or
                              material that occurred during the approval tests.

The above list is basically the same as 46 CFR 159.005-11.

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RETRO-REFLECTIVE MATERIALS


Retro-reflective materials should be fitted on top of the gunwale as well as on the outside of the boat as near the gunwale as possible. The materials should be sufficiently wide and long to give a minimum area of 150 cm2 and should be spaced at suitable intervals (approximately 80 cm from centre to centre). If a canopy is fitted, it should not be allowed to obscure the materials fitted on the outside of the boat, and the top of the canopy should be fitted with retro-reflective materials similar to those mentioned above and spaced at suitable intervals (approximately 80 cm centre to centre). In the case of partially enclosed or totally enclosed lifeboats, such materials should be placed as follows:

.1 for detection by horizontal light beams - at suitable intervals at half the height between the gunwale and the top of the fixed cover; and
.2 for detection by vertical light beams (e.g. from helicopters) - at suitable intervals around the outer portion of the horizontal (or comparable) part of the top of the fixed cover;
.3 retro-reflective materials should also be fitted on the bottom of lifeboats and rescue boats which are not self-righting.

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SEARCHLIGHT REQUIREMENTS


The searchlight must be permanently mounted on the canopy or must have a stanchion-type or collapsible-type, portable mounting on the canopy. The mounting must be located to enable operation of the searchlight by the boat operator.   The searchlight's power source must be capable of operating the light without charging or recharging for not less than--
(a) Three hours of continuous operation; or
(b) Six hours total operation when it is operated in cycles of 15 minutes on and 5 minutes off.

If the searchlight's power source is an engine starting battery, there must be sufficient battery capacity to start the engine at the end of either operating period specified in A or B, above.  The searchlight's power source must be connected to the searchlight using watertight electrical fittings.

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Last Modified 3/4/2013