Common issues
- Wire rope corrosion, broken wires or birdcaging on the falls
- Winch brake lining wear reducing holding capacity
- Grease starvation at sheaves and pivot points increasing operating friction
- Limit switch / end-of-travel switch drift causing overrun
- Hydraulic cylinder seal leakage on hydraulic davit arms
- Structural corrosion at the davit foot/pivot pin area exposed to weather
- Remote or local control station wiring and push-button faults
Inspection checklist
- Visual inspection of wire falls for broken wires, corrosion, kinks
- Winch brake holding test against rated load per LSA Code requirement
- Function test raising/lowering at full speed and creep speed
- Check limit switches and interlocks operate correctly
- Inspect hydraulic hoses/cylinders for leaks (hydraulic type)
- Check pivot pins, bushings and greasing points
- Inspect structural welds and foundation bolts for corrosion or cracking
- Confirm on-load release gear (if fitted) operates and resets correctly
Service intervals
| Visual/operational check | monthly (SOLAS drill requirement) |
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| Winch brake load test | annually |
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| Wire fall renewal | typically every 5 years or per maker's manual/condition |
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| Full davit overhaul incl. dynamic winch test | every 5 years (LSA Code periodic servicing) |
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| On-load release gear operational test | every 5 years, with 1-year interim thorough examination |
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Typical wear limits
| Wire rope broken wires | condemn per an applicable wire rope discard standard (e.g. ISO 4309) - no fixed percentage without inspection |
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| Brake lining thickness | renew before reaching the maker's stated minimum thickness |
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Ranges are typical for this design class. Always confirm against the manufacturer documentation for your serial number.
Critical spares
- Wire rope falls (matched set)
- Winch brake linings
- Limit switch assembly
- Hydraulic cylinder seal kit (if hydraulic)
- Sheave bearings
Safety
- Suspended load hazard during lowering/raising - keep personnel clear of the fall of the wire
- Stored hydraulic pressure in cylinders - isolate before maintenance
- Brake failure risk if linings are worn beyond limits - do not load-test until verified
- Working aloft/at height on the davit structure
Class survey
LSA Code requires annual thorough examination and load test of the winch brake, plus 5-yearly overhaul including a dynamic winch test to 1.1x SWL and static structural test to 2.2x SWL (or per maker's approved schedule). Records of these tests are checked at Annual and Renewal Survey.
Estimated lifetime: Davits are not rated in running hours; they are cycle/load-tested. Design service life is typically 20-25 years, subject to LSA Code annual thorough examination and 5-year overhaul - condition-based, not hour-based.