ISO 22673:2008

Overview

ISO 22673:2008 - Ships and marine technology - Launching appliances for free-fall lifeboats - defines terms and sets requirements for the design, construction, acceptance, examination, performance, operation and maintenance of launching appliances that use inclined ramps to launch free-fall lifeboats from ships and offshore platforms. The standard provides a practical code aligned with SOLAS/LSA requirements to ensure safe free-fall launching, recovery and controlled launching of lifeboats.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Scope & terminology: Defines maximum working/recovering loads, lightest launching load, winch loads and related vocabulary used for free-fall launching appliances.
• Performance:
  • Must enable safe free-fall launching of fully‑loaded and non‑loaded lifeboats by gravity or stored mechanical power (independent of ship’s power).
  • Operability against trim up to 10° and list up to 20° (special provisions for certain tankers with heel >20°).
  • Simulated launching capability (without water drop) and powered recovery of non‑loaded lifeboat with crew.
  • Secondary controlled launching (arms and falls) permitted using ship main or emergency power for specified smaller trim/list limits.
• Stowage & readiness:
  • Distance from lifeboat lowest point to water must not exceed the lifeboat’s certified free‑fall height.
  • Lifeboat must be ready-to-launch so two crew can prepare and launch within 5 minutes.
  • Float‑free designs require automatic release.
• Design & materials:
  • Materials must withstand air temperatures −30 °C to +65 °C; immersion equipment (hydrostatic releases, weak links) must operate in seawater −1 °C to −30 °C.
  • Major structural members (ramps, arms, sheave racks) minimum thickness 6 mm and safety factor ≥ 4.5 based on maximum working load.
  • Loose gears (blocks, shackles, links) designed with safety factor ≥ 6 and not made from fragile cast materials.
  • Corrosion resistance, anti‑icing effectiveness and low routine maintenance emphasis.
• Testing, acceptance & maintenance:
  • Winch, loose gear and full appliance tests, plus prototype and production acceptance codes.
  • Requirements for inspection, marking and maintenance schedules are included.

Applications and who uses it

ISO 22673:2008 is used by:

• Shipbuilders and naval architects specifying lifeboat stowage and ramp arrangements.
• Lifeboat and launching-appliance manufacturers for design and certification.
• Classification societies, flag administrations and approval authorities for acceptance testing.
• Shipowners, ship operators and offshore platform managers for procurement, installation, crew procedures and maintenance planning.
• Marine safety inspectors and surveyors enforcing SOLAS/LSA compliance.

Practical uses include design verification, manufacture acceptance tests, installation checks, crew training scenarios, maintenance planning and regulatory compliance documentation.

Related standards

• IMO LSA Code / SOLAS (safety of life at sea)
• ISO 15516 (launching appliances for davit‑launched lifeboats)
• IEC 60092 (electrical installations in ships)
• MSC circulars (operation and maintenance guidance)

Keywords: ISO 22673:2008, free-fall lifeboats, launching appliances, launching ramp, lifeboat recovery, marine safety, SOLAS compliance, offshore platforms.