🔍 Key Concepts

• SOLAS Chapter III (Life-saving appliances and arrangements) • Specific SOLAS requirements for maintenance, inspection, and testing of life-saving appliances • Difference between inspection intervals and replacement/renewal intervals

💭 Think About

• Is the regulation asking about how often lifeboat falls must be inspected or how often they must be renewed (replaced)? • Think about why falls (wires/ropes used to lower lifeboats) need regular renewal—how long can metal wire safely serve in a corrosive marine environment before SOLAS requires replacement? • Recall the typical service life used in SOLAS for wire falls on davit-launched lifeboats—does it match a relatively short period (like 2.5 years) or a more moderate, planned maintenance period?

✅ Before You Answer

• Confirm in SOLAS Chapter III, Regulation 20 (Operational readiness, maintenance and inspections) where lifeboat falls renewal is specified. • Distinguish between 5-yearly load tests and mandatory renewal of falls; these are not the same thing. • Verify whether the interval is expressed as a maximum number of years rather than a range or recommendation.