Lifeboat Hook Scheduled Replacement

[john]

We have Schat Harding boats that are 12 years old... my company decided to refurbish the boats but they hired Noresafe to do the work. Well the boats passed inspection and weight tests but noresafe's final report says that the hooks need to eb replaced. Not the hydrostatic release mechanism (which I would understand) but the actual steel hooks.

The report says that these hooks have to be replaced every 5 years.

I read in SOLAS that the releasing system has to be overhauled every 5 years but it makes no mention of replacing the hooks. Has anyone heard of such a requirement or is this just Noresafe company policy?

[captmrb]

I was on a rig for 9 years with Schadt Harding boats serviced by Schadt Harding and never had to change the hooks. Not saying that a requirement doesn't now exist but it didn't then. I would tell the Noresafe guys to provide a reference to the requirement they are quoting. If they can't provide one they are probably just trying to get some more of your employer's money.

[anchorman]

The hooks actually have to be overhauled every year now. Overload tested every 5 years. If a certified service says they need to be replaced, there would be no question regardless of any reg, what needs to be done, but I have never read such a requirement.

I will email you a letter from ABS in reference to the 2006 amendments - MSC.1/Circ.1206.