Work_Item_604_MSFSC_SWIRRR_002.docx

Military Sealift Fleet Support Command (MSFSC) Standard Work Item for Repetitive Repair Requirements

Item No. 2 22 March 2010

INSPECTION AND REPAIR OF INFLATABLE LIFERAFTS

1. ABSTRACT

This standard item provides requirements for inspection and repair of inflatable life rafts. This item includes UNIVERSAL REQUIREMENTS, which apply to all work covered in this standard work item and menu-type COMPONENT REQUIREMENTS that detail the work required for specific liferaft components. This standard item will be incorporated into a MSFSC vessel work package by reference.

2. References:

Note: MSC vessels under the USCG Alternate Compliance Program (ACP) shall be inspected to the requirements of the following governing rules and regulations: ABS SVR, ABS US Supplement, SOLAS, and MARPOL (all latest edition). Those vessels under ACP shall be designated in the base work item.

Note: Reference documents include a mix of public and private information. To the maximum extent possible, all reference information is included in the reference folder which is provided with the MSFSC Standard Work Item package. Private documents, such as SOLAS, ASME or SSPC, are not provided but are considered to be common ship repair industry documents which are available through subscription to the publishing organizations.

46 CFR 160.151, Inflatable Liferafts (SOLAS)

46 CFR 199.190 (g) & (h), Servicing of Inflatable Lifesaving Appliances & Hydraulic Releases

USCG NVIC 2-92 Survival Equipment for Lifeboats and Liferafts

SOLAS Chap III, Life-Saving Appliances and Arrangements

SSPC (Society for Protective Coatings) SP – Surface Preparation Standards and Specifications PA – Paint Application Standards, Guides and Specifications

3. ITEM LOCATION/DESCRIPTION

Locations are as specified in the base item.

4. GOVERNMENT FURNISHED MATERIAL/ EQUIPMENT/ SERVICE: None

5. Notes: None

6. QUALITY ASSURANCE REQUIREMENTS: None

7. STATEMENT OF WORK REQUIRED

A. Universal Requirements

Remove the inflatable life rafts identified in the base work item from their stowage cradles, including the hydrostatic releases.

B. Liferaft Cradles

Clean life raft cradles and foundations of all loose and flaking paint and corrosion, in accordance with SSPC-SP3, Power Tool Cleaning. Apply two coats of epoxy to bare metal areas. Apply one full topcoat to match surrounding area. Base work item shall identify paint products.

C. Liferaft Servicing

Convey to a USCG approved life raft servicing facility in accordance with the requirements of reference 46CFR 160.151.41. Contractor shall provide facility approval documentation for the servicing facility to the MSCREP. Inflatable life raft inspections, tests and repairs shall generally be in accordance with 46 CFR160 series, 46CFR 199 series and USCG NVIC 2-92. Specific requirements are as listed below:

Life rafts shall be disassembled and all components inspected for worn, defective or expired parts or items. Contractor shall provide a condition report detailing conditions found and recommendations. Repairs to the life raft casing, raft, hydrostatic tests of the inflation cylinder, and condemned equipment, when found to be required and identified in the condition report, shall be covered by a change order.

1. The following procedure to be carried out for each life raft:

1. Conduct the working pressure leakage test described in IMO Resolution A.689 (17), paragraph 2/5.1.5.

1. Pressurize the inflation hoses and check for damage and leakage as part of the working pressure test or as a separate test.

1. Inflate the life raft's inflatable floor until it is firm, let stand for at least 1-hour. Check inflatable floor firmness at the end of the hour.

1. Check seams connecting the floor to the buoyancy tube for slippage, rupture, and lifting edges.

1. Examine each item of survival equipment as required in reference 46CFR 160.151-21. Provide a condition report recommending repair or replacement of survival equipment if its expiration date has passed, damaged or unserviceable.

1. Replace battery (dry cell) with a fresh one, if expiration date had passed, or has no expiration date, or its measured voltage is less than its rated voltage.

1. Inspect and test each power cell (water activated) for the top and inside canopy lights as prescribed in the servicing manual. Replace power cell battery that is outdated, not tested or failed the test.

1. If the liferaft is equipped with Search & Rescue Transponder (SART) or Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB), inspect and test SART or EPIRB in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions. Test EPIRB using the integrated test circuit and output indicator to determine whether it is operative. Provide a condition report recommending repair or replacement of inoperative SART or EPIRB.

1. Inspect and test manual inflation pump for proper operation.

1. Replace each damaged, faded, or incorrect instruction label or identification label on the life raft or its container.

1. Examine each life raft to ensure it is properly marked with retro-reflective material in accordance with the requirements of IMO Resolution A.658(16). Replace damaged or missing retro-reflective material with Type I material approved under 46 CFR 164.018.

1. Weigh each inflation cylinders. Recharge cylinders if weight loss exceeds 5 percent of the weight of the gas charge.

1. Replace the poppet-pin assembly, each plastic or elastomeric seal and each other part in the inflation head assembly which deteriorates with age for every recharged inflation cylinder..

1. Test each recharged inflation cylinder for leakage in accordance with the servicing manual approved by the USCG.

1. Hydrostatically test each inflation cylinders that is due for periodic testing.

1. Conduct the launching load test in paragraph 2/5.2 of IMO Resolution A.689(17) at every second annual servicing of a davit launch life raft.

1. For each life raft due for the 5th annual servicing (to be noted in the base work item), conduct a gas inflation test before the test and inspections required in paragraphs (a) through (o):

· remove life raft from its container

· while it is still folded, inflate life raft by the operation of its gas-inflation system

· minor leaks may be repaired after the gas inflation test

· evacuate the raft and refill with air for the tests in paragraphs (a) through (e).

1. For each life raft 10 years old or more past its date of manufacture, conduct the necessary additional pressure test described in reference Subpart 160.151.57.

1. For each life raft 10 years old or more, check the integrity of the floor to buoyancy tube seam by the procedure described in reference Subpart 160.151.57, or in the USCG approved manufacturer's service manual.

1. Upon completion of servicing, each life raft that passes inspections and tests, permanently mark the life raft on its outside canopy, or on a servicing record panel on interior portion of one of the buoyancy tubes near an entrance with:

· date of the servicing

· identification and location of the servicing facility

· an indication that the special 5th year servicing was performed, if applicable.

1. Repack all life rafts in accordance with the USCG approved manufacturer's service manual.

Contractor shall provide and install new USCG approved hydrostatic releases in place of those removed and found to be damaged, deteriorated or with less than one year service life remaining. New units shall have label plates with certification date stenciled.

Reinstall life rafts in their cradles onboard the vessel. Make all required connections, ready for use. Furnish MSCREP and ship’s Master two copies each of each life raft and hydrostatic release certification.

8.0 General Requirements: None