REPUBLIC OF Marine Notice

THE MARSHALL ISLANDS

No. 2-011-50
MARITIME ADMINISTRATOR
Sep/2016

TO: ALL SHIPOWNERS, OPERATORS, MASTERS AND OFFICERS OF

MERCHANT SHIPS, AND RECOGNIZED ORGANIZATIONS

SUBJECT: Use and Maintenance of Non-Steel Wires/Falls on Yachts for

Lifeboat/Rescue Boat/Life Raft Davits

Reference: (a) SOLAS, International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, as
amended
(b) LSA Code, International Life-Saving Appliance Code, as amended
(c) RMI Marine Notice 2-011-5, Life Saving Appliances and Equipment, as
amended
(d) RMI Marine Notice 2-011-37, Life Boat Equipment Requirements,
Maintenance, and Servicing, as amended
(e) RMI Publication MI-103, Yacht Code, as amended
(f) IMO Circular MSC.1/Circ.1206/Rev.1, Measures to Prevent Accidents
with Lifeboats, dated 11 June 2009

PURPOSE:

This Notice establishes the procedure for the replacement of corrosion and rotation resistant steel
ropes with fibre ropes.

BACKGROUND:
In line with the technical evolution within the yacht industry, approval for the use of nonstandard
materials on board yachts is increasingly requested by designers, naval architects, shipyards and
other stake holders. The strength and durability of fibre ropes have been widely proven throughout
other industries, including the marine industry, where heavy loads are lifted and suspended in these
types of ropes. Therefore, the Administrator has no objection on the use of ropes of alternative
materials, provided that the below requirements are met.

APPLICABILITY:

This notice applies to all Commercial Yachts, Private Yachts Limited Charter, Yachts Engaged in
Trade, Passenger Yachts and Private Yachts, regardless of gross tonnage.

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Inquiries concerning the subject of this Notice should be directed to the Republic of the Marshall Islands Maritime Administrator, c/o Marshall
Islands Maritime and Corporate Administrators, Inc., 11495 Commerce Park Drive, Reston, VA 20191-1506 USA. The most current version of
all Republic of the Marshall Islands Marine Notices may be found at www.register-iri.com.
MI-01, Rev. Apr/2016
REQUIREMENTS:

1.0 Approval of Equipment

1.1 The suggested fibre rope is to be accompanied by a marine type approval, in order to prove
suitability for use in the marine environment. This includes that the rope material has proven
properties for low environmental degradation, is covered with protective sheathing in order
to prevent impregnation by salt crystals, and to be protected from abrasion.

2.0 Breaking Strength

2.1 The breaking strength Factor of Safety (FOS) of the suggested fibre rope is to be in excess of
the FOS of 6, as required by the LSA Code. The Administrator requires a FOS of more than
8, but not need to exceed 10.

2.2 Due to the magnitude of the increased load during the suppliers/manufacturer’s test of the
fibre rope breaking strength, it is not considered appropriate to perform the required load test
to the actual fall due to the increased risk of latent defects being caused to the fall. Therefore,
the Administrator accepts the load test to be performed on a sample of rope which originates
from the same drum. As the load test is also to confirm that any splices that are applied to the
fall are adequate, the same type of splice is to be applied to the test sample of the rope.

3.0 Onboard Load Test

3.1 In accordance with the LSA Code, the complete davit / crane arrangement as installed
onboard shall be subject to the onboard load test. The static load test shall be 1.5 times the
SWL and the dynamic load test shall be 1.1 times the SWL of the fall.

4.0 Inspection of Falls

4.1 The falls shall be inspected monthly as part of the regular onboard inspections by the crew of
the yacht. Details on the results of the inspections shall be logged and evaluated as per the
ISM/SMS procedures or mini-ISM procedures of the yacht. For yachts not required to have
an ISM system or mini-ISM system, the results shall be logged in the maintenance records of
the yacht.

4.2 The falls shall also be inspected by the RO, Class or AR as applicable, as part of the surveys
for the Cargo Ship Safety Equipment Certificate or Passenger Ship Safety Certificate. For
yachts that are not issued a CSSEC or PSSC, the AR shall inspect the falls as part of the
annual Compliance Verification.

5.0 Replacement of Falls

5.1 The falls shall be replaced at an interval as specified by the manufacturer, but shall not be
longer than 18 months. The practice of “end for ending” shall not be applied to the respective
falls.

5.2 If any significant damage or abrasion is found on the falls, the falls are to be immediately
replaced. For this purpose a spare set of falls is to be carried on board.

Sep/2016 2 of 2 MN 2-011-50

Republic of the Marshall Islands