(www.MaritimeCyprus.com) Deck lifting equipment such as gantry cranes, general cargo crane, provision crane, derrick etc. help in carrying heavy loads/cargo on board ships. As these deck machinery  systems are subjected to continuous loading, their parts wear down at a faster rate, thus requiring maintenance at regular intervals of time. Inability to do so can lead to system failure, unfortunate accidents, and loss of lives and property.
The new SOLAS regulation, provides associated draft Guidelines for Lifting Appliances - MSC.1/Circ.1663.
The Member Authorities of the Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control in the Riyadh MOU Region (RMOU) will initiate a Concentrated Inspection Campaign (CIC) focusing on Ships' Lifting Appliances.
This CIC will be conducted over a three-month period, commencing on 1 September 2024 and concluding on 30 November 2024.
Lifting appliances means any load-handling vessel’s equipment used for:Â
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The primary objective of the CIC is to ensure that ship crew members are adequately trained and familiar with various types of crane equipment, capable of identifying potential hazards promptly, and knowledgeable about the appropriate actions to take in emergency situations. Furthermore, it aims to confirm that all crew members possess the necessary qualifications for their respective roles and have access to current safety manuals that outline best practices for each task. The campaign also seeks to ensure that periodic maintenance of the ship's lifting equipment and devices is performed by the crew.
Throughout the campaign, the Member Authorities of the Riyadh MOU will, within available resources, inspect as many ships as possible in conjunction with routine Port State Control inspections.
Each ship will undergo only one inspection under this CIC during the campaign period. The campaign will focus on compliance across all vessel types and will include an examination of specific items related to the campaign, alongside the regular Port State Control inspection.
Port State Control Officers (PSCOs) will utilize a list of 10 questions to assess the adequacy and compliance of Ships' Lifting Appliances and equipment with relevant requirements, ensure that the master and crew members are familiar with operations concerning these appliances, and verify that the equipment is properly maintained and functional.
Any deficiencies identified will be documented by the PSCOs. The campaign's results will be analyzed, and the findings will be presented to the Committee for submission to the International Maritime Organization.
Below, you can find the relevant checklist, which will assist the Master, officers, and crew in their preparation for this CIC inspection. This checklist serves as a comprehensive guide to ensure that all necessary measures are in place, thereby increasing the likelihood of a successful inspection outcome. Adherence to this checklist will help in identifying and addressing any potential issues prior to inspection, ensuring that the vessel meets the required standards.
You can download the relevant PSC CIC Checklist below, for the preparation of the Ship and Crew:
For Owners/Managers interested in a more in-depth Guidance, you can download the paper "Survey and Examination of Ships’ Lifting Appliances" available by Lloyd's Register, HERE
Source: Riyadh MoU
