MCA SAFETY ALERT
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FAO: All UK Loadline and Loadline exemption vessel owners, Coded boat owners,
Certifying Authorities, manufacturers of lifting appliances fitted on vessels and competent
persons.
LIFTING EQUIPMENT ON WORKBOATS, UK LOADLINE AND UK
LOADLINE EXEMPTION VESSELS
It is the owner’s responsibility to ensure that any lifting equipment installed or used on a
vessel is properly designed for its intended use, including:
an assessment of the impact on the vessel’s stability, and
suitable mountings and fixing arrangements taking account of the structure of the
vessel and the manufacturer’s recommendations.
Once installed, lifting equipment must be tested1 before first use, and retested
at five yearly intervals thereafter; and
after any modification, damage or potential damage.
More frequent testing may be appropriate taking consideration of the marinisation of the
crane components. Testing should be carried out by a competent person.
The design, stability assessment and fixing arrangements should be agreed by a
competent person, which in this context includes someone with experience of the fitting
and operation of lifting equipment on ships/vessels. Particular attention should be paid to
the vessel crane mountings to ensure that it complies with the manufacturer’s
recommendations. A visual inspection should be made by the Certifying Authority (CA) of
the fixing arrangements. All such arrangements should be agreed in advance by the CA,
and subject to visual inspection in situ.
Any modification to the lifting equipment after installation should be reported to the CA as
required under the Code2. Where the owner has not notified the CA of any modifications
this will affect the validity of their code certification3.
The owner should also ensure that information is supplied with the lifting gear on
limitations on use, maintenance and servicing requirements, and identify who is
responsible for ensuring these are followed. Regular thorough examination (at least
annually) of the structure should be carried out by a competent person, to look for
corrosion, damage, or signs of wear which might affect the integrity.
Maintenance should be carried out in accordance with the manufacturer’s instruction
manual. Repair and maintenance should only use parts made or recommended by the
crane manufacturer.
Seafarer Safety & Health Branch
June 2016
1 In accordance with the Merchant Shipping and Fishing Vessels (Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment) Regulations 2006 – see also MGN 332(M+F).
2 See Merchant Shipping (Survey and Certification) Regulations 2015, Regulation 10; or Section 27.11.5 of Workboat Code Edition 2, Workboat Code Industry Working Group Technical Standard and MGN 280, or Section 27.6.4 of Workboat Code Edition 1
3 See Section 27.13 of Workboat Code Edition 2, Workboat Code Industry Working Group Technical Standard and MGN 280 or Section 27.7 of the Workboat Code Edition 1
Offshore wind farm development has been rapidly increasing in recent years, particularly in the North and Baltic Seas. These wind farms require specialized workboats to assist with construction and maintenance. IMCA CMID and MISW audits are mandatory for wind farm operators to ensure safety and compliance in these operations. The workboats must meet strict standards and regulations to guarantee efficient and safe operations at the wind farm sites.