Load Testing Lifting Equipment on Yachts

Often yacht crews are unaware of the inspection and testing procedures governing the safety equipment onboard, what equipment and hardware need to be inspected and how often. Below, I found information while doing research I am sharing; Lloyds Register guidelines for crane load testing onboard yachts from our friends at RSB rigging in Spain. I hope it helps shed some light.

Large Yacht Code 3 (LY3) load testing procedures on cranes used only as a rescue boat launching appliance on vessels under 500GT.

The launching appliance and its attachments should be constructed to withstand a static proof load test of not less than 2.2 times the maximum working load. Acceptable factors of safety are 6 for wires, hooks and sheaves, and 4.5 for the remainder of the launching appliance. The appliance and its attachments should also be tested dynamically to 1.1 times the working load.

Annually subjected to a dynamic test of the winch brake at maximum lowering speed. The load to be applied shall be the mass of the survival craft or rescue boat without persons on board, except that, at intervals not exceeding five years, the test shall be carried out with a proof load equal to 1.1 times the weight of the survival craft or rescue boat and its full complement of persons and equipment. Not 1.1 times the SWL.

ILO requirement for cranes used for cargo and/or handling of tender boats.

Initial load test with a test load by following the table below. The test is to be carried out using certified weights suspended from the cargo hook or lifting attachment, according to a procedure agreed with the Surveyor.

Table: Testing of cranes

SWL of the crane in tonnes Test load, in tonnes

Up to 20 t 1.25 x SWL

20 t < SWL ≤ 50 t SWL + 5 t

50 t < SWL 1.1 x SWL

*Note: Hand-operated pulley blocks are to be proof tested to 1.5 x SWL. 

During the test, hoisting and slewing operations are to be carried out at a slow speed. In the case of a variable load-radius crane, the tests are, generally, to be carried out for the appropriate safe working loads at maximum, minimum and an intermediate radius.

Where it is not practicable for the crane to raise the full test load, as may be the case for hydraulic cranes, a reduced test load may be accepted, but in no case is this to be less than 1.1 x SWL. 

Although acceptable to LR, this test at reduced load may not be acceptable to some National Authorities. Following the overload test, the crane is to be loaded with its safe working load and operated over its full range of speeds to demonstrate the effective operation of the crane, the accuracy of overload and safe load indicators and the effectiveness of limit switches, etc.