Technical Process for Lifeboat Maintenance Services
KLE provides periodic maintenance services for Viking Norsafe lifeboats used on offshore oil and gas installations and marine vessels. The scope of work includes general inspection, equipment condition assessment, maintenance, and post-maintenance operational testing. The service supports early damage detection, helps maintain reliable operation, and ensures lifeboats remain ready for use in emergency situations.
Two Applicable Lifeboat Types
The service applies to two common lifeboat types used on offshore oil and gas installations and marine vessels: free-fall lifeboats and davit-launched/wire-lowered lifeboats.
Free-Fall Lifeboat
Free-Fall Lifeboat
Davit-launched / Wire Lowered Lifeboat
Davit-launched / Wire Lowered Lifeboat
Technical Process by Lifeboat Type
The content is organized by lifeboat type so customers can easily review the scope of inspection, maintenance, load testing, and acceptance.
Free-Fall Lifeboat
Inspection and maintenance activities are carried out according to the technical scope applicable to free-fall lifeboats.
Detailed Technical Process — 6 Steps
- Inspect the lifeboat hull, paint coating, fenders, hatch, windows, handrails, and access steps.
- Inspect the identification plate, IMO number, and rated capacity.
- Assess corrosion, GRP structural damage, and connection points.
- Inspect engine oil, gearbox oil, oil filter, fuel filter, and drive belt.
- Inspect the cooling system (keel cooler), fuel lines, and fuel tank.
- Test-run the engine in forward/reverse modes, and check oil pressure and vibration.
- Inspect batteries, wiring, the charger, and main/emergency switches.
- Inspect lighting, navigation lights, and VHF equipment.
- Replace worn components such as the PTT microphone, navigation lights, and related parts as required.
- Inspect mounting brackets, foundation bolts, and welds using NDT (MPI).
- Inspect the main and emergency hydraulic pump assemblies, hydraulic oil level, hoses, and valves.
- Replace foundation bolts and hydraulic oil at five-year intervals.
- Inspect the davit structure, deck welds using Eddy Current testing, and pivot points.
- Inspect the winch drum, winch foundation bolts using NDT, and winch gearbox oil.
- Replace fall wires and wedge sockets; perform NDT on the suspension hook assembly and three-point wire rope.
- Inspect the hydraulic cylinder and counterbalance valve — critical items that determine the ability to conduct dynamic load testing.
- Perform a static load test at 110% of the design load and calculate the free-fall release force (Free Fall Force Calculation).
- Perform a simulated free-fall release functional test (Free-Fall Release Functional Test).
- Prepare the acceptance report and confirm “Fit for use” status under the supervision of the customer’s representative and Class Surveyor.
Davit-launched / Wire Lowered Lifeboat
Inspection and maintenance activities are carried out according to the technical scope applicable to davit-launched/ wire-lowered lifeboats.
Detailed Technical Process — 4 Steps
- Inspect the winch, winch foundation bolts, winch gearbox oil, and free wheel oil.
- Inspect the centrifugal brake and holding/disc brake, ensuring the lifeboat lowering speed is safely controlled.
- Inspect the electric motor, start cabinet, and limit switches.
- Replace fall wires and wedge sockets/turnbuckles when they reach the end of their service life.
- Inspect fall wire sheaves, hang-off pad eyes, and lashing ropes/wires.
- Replace maintenance pendants used during maintenance activities.
- Inspect the overall davit structure and bolted sections.
- Perform NDT – MPI on deck welds to support early crack detection.
- Inspect and replace the winch and davit identification plates when faded or missing.
- Perform a dynamic winch brake test with a load equal to 1.1 times the total weight of the lifeboat, persons, and full equipment.
- Evaluate davit in/out operation and the braking system under actual load conditions.
- Prepare an itemized acceptance report and confirm compliant condition before return to service.
KLE works with Viking Norsafe to provide annual and five-year lifeboat maintenance services for production platforms, FPSOs, and offshore facilities in Vietnam, ensuring compliance with SOLAS and IMO requirements.
