Winches for survival craft and rescue boats: rescue boats.- Rescue Boat Winch - Type: "04-04 E/ES"
A Palfinger Marine rescue‑boat winch (type 04‑04 E/ES) designed for davit‑mounted lifeboats and fast rescue crafts, providing powered hoisting with an emergency standby mode.
Inspector Detail
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Common issues
- Wire rope/fall corrosion or broken wires from saltwater exposure and infrequent use
- Brake slippage or uncontrolled drift under load from worn or contaminated brake linings
- Limit switch failure allowing overrun at top or bottom of travel
- Gearbox oil contamination or leakage at seals
- Emergency (standby/manual) lowering mechanism seizing from disuse
- Rope end termination or drum attachment corrosion
- Power pack (electric/hydraulic) overheating during repeated drills
- Rope mis-spooling or cross-winding on the drum
Inspection checklist
- Visual inspection of wire rope for broken wires, kinks, corrosion, birdcaging
- Function test of the automatic disengaging hook if fitted
- Brake holding-capacity check under static load
- Test upper and lower limit switches
- Verify manual/emergency lowering operates freely without power
- Check gearbox oil level and condition, inspect for leaks
- Confirm correct rope spooling on the drum, no cross-winding
- Load test per SOLAS/manufacturer interval, results logged
- Check control panel indicator lamps, alarms and power supply
- Inspect winch foundation bolts and davit arm for corrosion or cracks
Service intervals
| Visual/no-load function check | weekly |
| Operational launch test | monthly |
| Thorough examination by competent person | annual |
| Dynamic winch test to 1.1x SWL | 5-yearly per SOLAS III/LSA Code |
| Gearbox oil change | per manufacturer interval - confirm against Palfinger manual |
| Wire rope condition assessment | at each thorough examination, replace on condition |
Typical wear limits
| Wire rope diameter reduction | commonly discarded around 10% loss from nominal diameter, or per visible broken-wire criteria - confirm against manufacturer/SOLAS rope condition assessment |
| Brake lining thickness | condition-based minimum per manufacturer manual, not a generic figure |
Ranges are typical for this design class. Always confirm against the manufacturer documentation for your serial number.
Critical spares
- Wire rope/fall of correct diameter and construction
- Brake linings/pads
- Limit switches
- Gearbox seals
- Hook/release mechanism spring and trigger assembly
- Remote control pendant
- Sheave bearings
Safety
- Suspended load during testing and drills - keep clear of drop zone
- Stored energy in brake and manual-release spring mechanisms
- Wire rope failure under load
- Crush/entrapment points at drum and sheaves
- Hydraulic pressure lines if a hydraulic power pack is fitted
- Fall from height during davit/winch inspection
Class survey
LSA equipment under SOLAS III/LSA Code: weekly visual/function check, monthly launch test, annual thorough examination, and 5-yearly dynamic test to 1.1x SWL, all logged in the LSA maintenance record book. Annual and 5-year work must be done by the manufacturer or a service provider recognised by the Administration.
Components & Design
Component data being added…
Technical Data
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Common failures & inspection points
Service & Maintenance
Engine test weekly (min. 5 min). Release hook maintenance annually by approved service (SOLAS MSC.402(96)). GRP hull inspection at docking. 5-year basic survey.
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