§ 160.032-5 - Inspection and testing of davits.

(a) Material testing. (1) Where davit arms and frames are fabricated of steel castings, an inspector shall be present at the foundry where such castings are made to witness the tests prescribed by the applicable specification. The manufacturer shall furnish an affidavit stating that the material complies with the requirement of the specification noted in § 160.032-3(c) (2) or (3). The inspector shall stamp the casting with the letters U.S.C.G., the Marine Inspection Office identification letters, the letters F.T., and the date of inspection.

(2) The manufacturer shall furnish an affidavit stating that the structural steel complies with the requirements of the specification noted in § 160.032-3(c)(1).

(3) The affidavits referred to above shall be obtained from the foundry or mill supplying the material.

(b) Factory tests for initial approval. (1) Mechanical davits shall be tested for strength and operation at the place of manufacture in the presence of an inspector. The davits shall be completely assembled. The tests to be conducted are as noted in paragraphs (b) (2) through (4) of this section.

(2) A weight equal to 2.2 times the working load shall be suspended from the eye or end of the davit arm. With this load suspended from the davit it shall be operated from the full inboard to the full outboard position using the same operating crank or device used in actual practice aboard ship. The load shall then be swung in a fore and aft direction through an arc of approximately 10 degrees, each side of the vertical. The davit arm and frame shall show no permanent set or undue stress from this test. While this test is being conducted, the frame and arm, if of cast material, shall be subject to a test by being hammered to satisfy the inspector that the castings are sound and without flaws.

(3) A weight equal to 0.5 times the normal working load shall be suspended from the eye or end of the davit arm. This load shall be moved from the full inboard to the full outboard position using the actual handles supplied with the davit. The time required for this operation shall not exceed 90 seconds. The above test shall also be conducted with the davits set up to simulate a 15-degree inboard list with a 10-degree trim to determine that the davits may be satisfactorily operated in that condition. The above test shall also be conducted with the davits set up to simulate a 15-degree outboard list with a 10-degree trim. This test shall determine that the davit arms will not run out under the weight of the light boat.

(4) A load of 1.1 times the normal working load shall be moved from the full outboard to the full inboard position to demonstrate the strength of operation of the return mechanism.

(5) Gravity davits shall be tested for strength and operation at the place of manufacture in the presence of an inspector. The davit arms, tracks, frames, attachments, etc., shall be set up in a manner similar to an actual shipboard installation. This installation shall include a lifeboat winch suitable for gravity davits and the falls shall be reeved in the normal manner. The tests to be conducted are as noted in paragraphs (b)(6) to (8) of this paragraph.

(6) A weight equal to 1.1 times the working load shall be run from the full inboard to the full outboard position with the davit assembly in the normal upright condition. The davit arm, trackways, etc., shall show no permanent set or undue stress from this test.

(7) A weight equal to 2.2 times the working load shall be attached to the falls and suspended from the davit arm when in the full outboard position. The load shall be swung in a fore and aft direction through an arc of approximately 10 degrees each side of the vertical. The davit arm and trackways shall show no permanent set or undue stress from this test.

(8) The entire davit assembly shall then be heeled inboard 15 degrees and with a 10-degree trim. In this condition a weight equal to 0.5 times the working load shall be suspended from the falls and shall be operated from the full inboard to the full outboard position. This test shall demonstrate that the load is sufficient to turn out the davit by merely releasing the brake on the winch. Stops shall be made at intervals between the inboard and outboard positions to assure that the davit will start from any position.

(c) Factory testing after approval. (1) After the design of a mechanical davit has been approved, subsequent davits of the same design shall be individually tested as described in paragraph (b)(2) of this section.

(2) After the design of a gravity davit has been approved, subsequent davit arms of the same design shall be individually tested as described in paragraph (b)(7) of this section, except that the swing test may be eliminated if not practicable.

(d) Name plate. (1) A corrosion resistant name plate shall be affixed to each davit arm and frame on which shall be stamped the name of the manufacturer, approval number, type and serial number of the davit, maximum working load in pounds per arm together with the Marine Inspection Office identification letters, the date, and the letters “U.S.C.G.”