Lifting Appliances

• Any part of a lifting plant* whether stationary, movable or rigidly attached that becomes, or may become, bearing a load under lifting or load suspension operation are to be considered as forming a part of lifting appliances on board. (including pad-eyes, lifting eyes, lifting points, trolleys and hoist attachment etc.) On the other hand, no thorough examination or testing is required unless these fixtures are planned to be used as lifting appliances.
  *lifting plant means all lifting appliances and loose gear.
• For fixtures that are provided for specific tasks (e.g. shipyard works, unusual or very rare frequency of use (longer than 5 years period), or for certain specific applications where a fixture may have been installed for a one-off operation only), the Administration may consider accepting alternative “on-demand” verification of the condition and the safe load prior to each such case of irregular use. In case where the company intends to apply the “on-demand” verification to the fixtures, the company is to obtain acceptance for the alternative method from the Administration.
• Thorough examination is to be carried out not exceeding 12 months.
• Bahamas Regulation applies to Lifting appliances with SWL less than 1,000kg.

• Each appliance must be permanently and legibly marked with its SWL and documentary evidence of SWL shall be retained on board.
• Shipowners and operators should assess the appliances’ usage and associated risks, and incorporate procedures for inspection, maintenance, and training/familiarization within the Safety Management System (SMS).
• Records shall, where applicable, be in compliance with the requirements of IMO Circular MSC.1/Circ.1663.

• Ensure that all lifting equipment fitted on board is appropriate for its intended purpose and is safe to use.
• Ensure a valid certificate of testing and thorough examination by a competent person is in force for every item of lifting equipment, accessory for lifting and loose gear. All items should be tested, and then thoroughly examined and certificated for use either:
  1) after manufacture or installation; or
  2) after any repair or modification that is likely to alter the safe working load (SWL) or affect the strength or stability of the equipment.
• A certificate for a ship’s lifting equipment is valid for no more than five years; with annual thorough examinations and a five-year proof load test.

• Lifting appliances with a SWL 1,000 kg, installed on or after 1 January 2026, shall be load tested and thoroughly examined by the manufacturer prior to installation onboard. A certificate of test shall be provided to the ship.
• For all lifting appliances with a SWL below 1,000 kg, the ISM Company shall assess their intended use and associated risks. Inspection and maintenance procedures shall be incorporated into the shipboard Safety Management System (SMS), taking into account the guidance provided in MSC.1/Circ. 1663.
• The Shipping Deputy Ministry (SDM) encourages ISM Companies to voluntarily apply, as far as practicable, the provisions of SOLAS Regulation II-1/3-13.2.1 and 2.4 when developing inspection and maintenance procedures for lifting appliances with a SWL below 1,000 kg.

• regular inspection by a qualified person at intervals not exceeding 12 months,
• in principle, a qualified person may be a member of the crew if their training, experience and recent professional activity, as well as their knowledge of the company's procedures, are sufficient for this purpose,
• type, scope and interval of inspections as well as the qualification requirements for the qualified person are based on the company's risk assessment, taking due account of the manufacturer's instruction and applicable standards and guidelines,
• lifting appliances shall be permanently marked with the safe working load (SWL).

• Lifting appliances and loose gears are to comply with a recognized international standard.
• Meet the requirements of chapter 19 of the United Kingdom Maritime & Coastguard Agency’s Code of Safe Working Practices for Merchant Seafarers (as amended)

• Regarding Regulation SOLAS II-1/3-13/1.2.2, the lifting appliances must comply with and be certified according to international standards, including EN 13852, API RP 2C, ISO 47.020, as well as the Rules and Standards of Recognized Organizations in accordance with EU Regulation 391/2009.
• lifting appliances with SWL less than 1,000 kg installed on or after 1 January 2026 must comply with the followings:

  a. A clearly visible permanent marking, documentary evidence of the SWL, and a test certificate issued by the manufacturer prior to installation on board are to be provided.

  b. The manufacturer’s inspection and maintenance instructions must be followed at least.

  c. The management company must incorporate within its SMS for inspection, maintenance, and crew training/familiarization regarding the inspection, maintenance, and use of the lifting appliances.

• Thorough Examination is to be combined with the followings.

  a. Function test

  b. Measurements of wear/damage

  c. Non-destructive test

1) Type Approved Certificate – issued by Classification Society, other Administration or Authorized Authority.

2) Shipboard maintenance records shall be available according to manufacturer’s instructions.

• With regard to lifting appliances with a safe working load below 1,000 kg installed on or after 1 January 2026, these shall be load tested and thoroughly examined by the manufacturer, shipbuilder or commissioning contractor after installation onboard and provided with a certificate of test.
• For all lifting appliances with a safe working load below 1,000 kg, shipowners and operators should assess their usage and associated risks and incorporate procedures for inspection and maintenance into the shipboard Safety Management System (SMS).

• The equipment must be permanently marked with its SWL.
• Documentary evidence of the SWL must be maintained onboard.
• Shipowners and operators must conduct a risk assessment for the usage of such equipment and incorporate specific procedures for inspection, maintenance, and crew training into the ship’s Safety Management System (SMS).

• Lifting appliances shall be permanently marked and supported with documentary evidence of their SWL.
• Lifting Appliance - Any onboard load-handling system used for cargo operations, and used as engine, store, hose, tender, and personnel handling cranes.