Entry & progression
Governing: MSN 1865 (M) Amendment 1, sections 4.2, 4.4, 4.5 and Annexes A and D; STCW Code Table A-VI/2-2; MGN 560 (M+F) Amendment 2. Builds on: L1.1. See also: Keeping Your CoC Valid.
Looking after the boat
Table A-VI/2-2 requires knowledge of maintenance and emergency repairs and normal inflation and deflation of buoyancy compartments, with the criterion that you know how to carry out routine maintenance and emergency repairs.
Routine (crew).
- Tube pressures daily in use, adjusted for temperature.
- Wash down with fresh water after use, especially the engine and lifting gear.
- Engine: flush, check oil, fuel filters, kill cord, steering.
- Inventory check against the equipment list.
Weekly (REG Annex I1). Visual inspection of rescue boats and launching appliances for readiness, including hooks and release gear reset; engines run for a total of not less than 3 minutes with gearbox engagement demonstrated.
Inflated boats. REG Annex I1 requires repairs and maintenance of inflated rescue boats to follow the manufacturer's instructions. Permanent repairs to tubes are for approved service stations.
Emergency repairs at sea: leak stoppers or clamps in a punctured compartment, re-inflate from the bellows or cylinder, reduce speed, return.
MSC.402(96)
MGN 560 Amendment 2 applies MSC.402(96) (in force 1 January 2020) to rescue boats and fast rescue boats, their launching appliances and release gear.
| Interval | Work | By |
|---|---|---|
| Weekly / monthly | Inspections and routine maintenance | Crew under a senior officer, or authorised provider |
| Annual | Thorough examination, including the righting system where fitted | Certified personnel of manufacturer or authorised provider |
| Five-yearly | Overhaul and operational tests at 1.1 x full complement | Certified personnel |
Getting PFRB
MSN 1865 section 4.2: for a CoP in Fast Rescue Boats you must:
- be at least 18;
- already hold PSC&RB other than FRBs (Table A-VI/2-1);
- complete an MCA-approved course meeting section A-VI/2, paragraphs 7 to 10.
The MCA's Restricted PSC&RB guidance states that the Restricted certificate does not qualify the holder to operate fast rescue boats.
Keeping it valid
Section 4.4: PFRB must be updated within every 5 years. Annex A note 3: if you have fast rescue boat duties, you must complete PFRB in addition to PSC&RB, and keep both updated.
| Route | Shore refresher |
|---|---|
| Annex D self-declaration, all onboard elements done | 4 hours |
| Onboard elements not all done | 7 hours |
Annex D items: controlling safe launch and recovery; handling in prevailing conditions; communications with ship and helicopter; using the emergency equipment; carrying out search patterns. You declare them against vessels, IMO numbers and dates.
TIP - Make drills count twice Log every FRB launch you crew: date, conditions, what you practised. It keeps the boat in hand and makes the self-declaration straightforward.
CAUTION - Two certificates, two dates PFRB and PSC&RB may fall due in different years. Track both; an expired PSC&RB undermines the FRB certificate that depends on it.