Davits   While not part of the Tackle, the Lifeboat Davits must be inspected and maintained diligently. The Tackle Regulations can be used as a guide. By keeping the Davit certificates and records with the Tackle Book you will have easy access to them. Also include the Lifeboat certificate. One of the certificates you should have is that of the Davit Test, from which is derived the SWL of the Davits. This will also include the mark which was put on the Davits to identify them. Find this mark. Davits: Fleet Bulletin 05-2001, Davit Maintenance, is hooey! Contrary to "Fleet Bulletin 05-2001, Davit Maintenance", davits and ships tackle should all be treated with respect and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. To quote; "From examination and questioning it would appear that davits were being treated as any other piece of ship's tackle." If we, as Chief Officers, are maintaining our ship's tackle as we should then to claim we are treating the davits as any other piece of ship's tackle indicates the davits are well-maintained. If at all possible davit maintenance should be carried out by the crew rather than a contractor. If your ship has davits for any other small craft, such as a work barge or work boat, these are treated as Tackle and come under the Tackle Regulations. A Few Tips: - Find the certificates and the drawings and keep them in the Tackle Book. These drawings and sketches will ensure the correct replacement parts are ordered and that the gear is rigged correctly after each dismantling. Click on each drawing to see a full-page view. - Ensure the davit brakes work well and that they do not bind or slip. - Does the Stop on the davits work? Does it need to be reset to better bring the lifeboat home? - Clean and free all grease nipples. Replace as necessary. - Compare the grease points to the drawings to ensure all grease points are serviced. - When painting the davits take the extra time to tape or vaseline all grease nipples. This will save much work later. - Place the boat in the water or on the dock and remove all wire and sheaves from the davit. Ensure you have a rigging diagram or photos so the davits will be re-rigged correctly. (It does happen!). Mark each sheave with its location as the sheave is removed. Click on drawing to see a full-page view. - The falls should be ranged on a surface free of grit, stones, dirt and vegetation. Hose off and sweep the surface where the falls will be ranged. - Inspect the falls, sheaves, as per the appropriate instructions. - Remove and inspect the span wire. Take the opportunity to remove and replace the man-ropes. The span wire will require lubrication. - Inspect all connections on the davits. - Inspect the Tricing Pendants and gripes, including turnbuckles and Senhouse Slips. - Inspect the Bowsing Tackle including the blocks. - Inspect the lifeboat to ensure the connections to the falls and their supports are in good condition and that the releases work as intended. - This is also an ideal opportunity to take photos of, or sketch, anything unusual. This may be of use in the future. - Make notes of what you found, where you found it and what, if anything, you did about it.