Lifting Appliances and Anchor Handling Winches

SOLAS Regulation II-1/3-13: Mandatory Safety Requirements for Anchor Handling Winches and Lifting Appliances Key Points: • Introduction: SOLAS Regulation II-1/3-13 introduces mandatory safety requirements for onboard lifting appliances and anchor handling winches. • Adoption and Entry into Force: The Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) approved these guidelines (MSC.1/Circ.1662 and MSC.1/Circ.1663) to ensure a uniform approach to the regulation. The regulation enters into force on 1 January 2026. • Applicability: These requirements apply to vessels holding a safety construction certificate. o Lifting Appliances (LA): Includes cranes, movable decks, and ramps lifted with cargo. This scope is extended beyond ILO152 coverage to include provision cranes, engine room cranes, and other lifting appliances. o Anchor Handling Winches (AHW): Applies to the winches, associated equipment, and loose gear used for handling anchors. • Exclusions: Lifeboat davits, life raft, and rescue boat launching appliances are generally excluded, unless they serve a dual purpose (e.g., also functioning as a provision crane). Essential Definitions for Compliance and Operation Anchor Handling Winch (AHW) Specific Terms: • Brake holding force: The maximum force for which the winch brake is designed. • Brake holding capacity: The maximum line pull the winch brake can withstand without slipping. • Maximum line pull: The maximum sustained force the winch is capable of pulling. • Static bollard pull: The maximum sustained pulling force a vessel can generate at maximum power (100% MCR) and zero forward speed. • Wire: A dedicated line (wire rope, synthetic rope, or chain cable) used for anchor handling. • Chain Stopper: A device used for securing and holding a section of wire, relieving the load on the winch drum. Lifting Appliance (LA) Specific Term: • Safe Working Load (SWL): The maximum static load at a specified radius which the appliance or loose gear is certified to lift for a specified operating condition. Personnel Roles: • Competent Person: A person with the required knowledge and experience for duties specified in the guidelines, acceptable to the Administration (often involved in thorough examinations and testing). • Responsible Person: A person appointed by the master or company with the required knowledge and experience (often involved in routine inspection and maintenance). Title: Design, Installation, and Control Systems Design and Construction: • Standard Compliance: AH Winches and Lifting Appliances must be designed, constructed, and installed according to the requirements of a classification society recognized by the Administration or equivalent standards. • Certification (New Installations): Equipment installed on or after 1 January 2026 must be certified as compliant. Demonstration of compliance includes plan appraisal, verification of materials, and survey/testing during fabrication and installation. • Marking: o LA must have the SWL permanently and clearly marked. If the load rating is variable, a diagram showing permissible loads over the entire range must be displayed. o AH Winches require a permanently affixed nameplate including maximum brake holding capacity, maximum line pull, and maximum static bollard pull. Anchor Handling Winch Control Features: • Speed Control: Must be capable of hoisting and lowering in a controlled manner, with adjustable speed control. • Winch Operating Controls: Must be of the "hold-to run" type, meaning motion automatically stops when the control lever is released. • Tension Control: AH Winches must be equipped with tension control to prevent overloading if the anchor gets stuck or entangled. • Overload Monitoring: Winches must have continuous load monitors and an audible and visual overload alarm, which should be programmable for lower load levels. • Spooling Device: Must be equipped with a remotely operated spooling device.