Guidance for
Remotely Operated Vehicle
Load Testing
and Inspection
IMCA LR 010, R 021
October 2016
The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) is the international
trade association representing offshore, marine and underwater engineering
companies.
IMCA promotes improvements in quality, health, safety, environmental and technical standards
through the publication of information notes, codes of practice and by other appropriate means.
Members are self-regulating through the adoption of IMCA guidelines as appropriate. They
commit to act as responsible members by following relevant guidelines and being willing to be
audited against compliance with them by their clients.
There are five core committees that relate to all members:

Competence & Training

Contracts & Insurance

Health, Safety, Security & Environment

Lifting & Rigging

Marine Policy & Regulatory Affairs
The Association is organised through four distinct divisions, each covering a specific area of
members’ interests: Diving, Marine, Offshore Survey and Remote Systems & ROV.
There are also five regions which facilitate work on issues affecting members in their local
geographic area – Asia-Pacific, Europe & Africa, Middle East & India, North America and South
America.
IMCA LR 010, R 021
This document has been prepared by the Chairman and members of the Remote Systems &
ROV Division Management Committee, with additional support from the Crane & Winch
Workgroup.
www.imca-int.com/lifting
www.imca-int.com/rov
If you have any comments on this document, please click the feedback button below:
feedback@imca-int.com
Date
Reason
October 2016
Initial publication
Revision
The information contained herein is given for guidance only and endeavours to reflect best industry practice. For the avoidance
of doubt no legal liability shall attach to any guidance and/or recommendation and/or statement herein contained.
© 2016 IMCA – International Marine Contractors Association
Guidance for ROV Load Testing and Inspection
IMCA LR 010, R 021 – October 2016
1
Scope ....................................................................................................................... 1
2
Glossary of Terms and Abbreviations ................................................................. 2
3
Objectives ............................................................................................................... 3
4
Application ............................................................................................................. 3
5
The Competent Person ........................................................................................ 3
6
Initial Supply ........................................................................................................... 3
7
In Service Inspection/Examination ...................................................................... 4
7.1
Before Use in ROV Operations ......................................................................................................................... 4
7.2
Long Term Installation .......................................................................................................................................... 4
8
Initial and Periodic Examination and Test .......................................................... 5
9
Retention of Certification ..................................................................................... 5
10 Maintenance ........................................................................................................... 5
11 References .............................................................................................................. 5
Appendices
1
Categories of Competent Person ........................................................................ 6
2
Inspection, Testing and Maintenance of Portable Equipment Lifting
Structure, Points and Lifting Sets ........................................................................ 7
3
Inspection, Testing and Maintenance of Subsea Package Frames ................. 10
4
Inspection, Testing and Maintenance of Miscellaneous Equipment .............. 13
1
Scope
This guidance addresses the examination and load testing of items on an ROV such as lift points on portable
offshore units or lifting frames and the lifting accessories associated with the mobilisation, demobilisation and
operation of the ROV. It addresses the initial and periodic examination, testing and certification of lifting points,
lifting frames, lifting cable/wire rope and accessories to be carried out by a competent person.
It does not address:

Manned vehicles;

Design criteria. It does, however, assume compliance with the responsibility placed on all manufacturers
and users of such equipment to ensure that it is designed in accordance with any national codes, rules or
standards which may apply and to ensure its fitness for purpose in the environment in which it is to be used.
IMCA LR 010, R 021
1
2
Glossary of Terms and Abbreviations
CE
Conformité Européenne
Compression test
A test used to check the integrity of equipment such as skids, stands, trestles and
trolleys to remain structurally sound when subjected to operational weight
loading compressive forces
DAF
Dynamic amplification factor
Design Certification
The documentary portfolio which normally includes a Certificate of Conformity,
Compliance or other type approval statement and be accompanied by supporting
documentation such as authority release note, original load testing certification
or any other supporting the compliance statements are collectively known for
the purposes of this document the ‘Design Certification’
EN
European Norm
HSE
Health, safety and environment
LARS
Launch and recovery system. A lifting device that can be used to deploy the ROV,
with or without a TMS, from the support vessel or installation overboard into
the water and lower it to the working depth, or recover the ROV from depth
and transfer it from the surface of the water back to the support vessel or
installation. LARS may be a combination of winches, cranes, A-frames, etc. and
may be hydraulically or electrically powered
NDE
Non-destructive examination
PMS
Planned maintenance system
PPE
Personal protective equipment
PTW
Permit to work
ROV
Remotely operated vehicle. The common term for an unmanned, underwater
vehicle that is controlled from the surface by a pilot via a cable and is, in itself, a
collection of equipment used in water with an ability to observe the surroundings
and, in certain circumstances, intervene/interact with underwater infrastructure
ROV System
The collection of equipment that comprises, but is not limited to, the ROV, the
launch and recovery system, the surface control system and all associated
peripheral equipment
Static load test
A test conducted to verify the structural integrity of the equipment including
associated attachment arrangements of the equipment to the host platform/
vessel
Subsea package
Subsea items such as the ROV, TMS and tooling skids including backpack frames
SWL
Safe working load. The maximum load that the lifting equipment is certified to
withstand under normal use and in a given configuration
TMS
Tether management system. May be described as a ‘cage’ or a ‘top hat’, but both
types essentially house a submersible winch which controls the deployment of a
neutrally buoyant cable, or tether, connected to the ROV
WLL
Working load limit. The maximum load that lifting equipment is certified to
withstand under normal use
2
IMCA LR 010, R 021
3
Objectives
The objectives are to provide:
i)
guidance on the certification of portable offshore units which are included within the ROV;
ii)
guidance on the examination and certification of lifting accessories associated with the ROV;
iii) guidance for the initial and periodic examination, testing and certification of ROV components including, but
not limited to, the ROV, TMS, backpack tooling frames and underslung skid frames.
4
Application
This guidance is intended to apply internationally, but it is recognised that some countries will have regulations
that require different standards or practices to be followed. Where local or national regulations are more
stringent than those contained herein, they will always take precedence over this guidance.
Note: Where specific examples of applicable codes, regulations or legislation are included within the document
that these are for illustration and/or guidance only. Users of this document should satisfy themselves as to the
applicable codes, regulations or legislation that pertain to the geographic region in which the equipment is to be
operated.
5
The Competent Person
Initial and periodic examination, testing and certification of lifting frames, lifting cable/wire rope, umbilical
terminations and auxiliary equipment must be carried out by a competent person. The categories of competence
appropriate to carry out such work are defined at Appendix 1.
IMCA’s definition of competence is: “The combination of appropriate training, current skills, knowledge, and experience
so that a person consistently applies them to perform tasks safely and effectively. Other factors such as attitude and
physical ability can also affect someone’s competence.”
6
Initial Supply
When equipment is initially supplied, it should be accompanied by a ‘Certificate of Conformity’ or alternatively a
full and complete technical file containing individual component compliance documentation issued by the
manufacturer. This may be verified by a suitably competent independent person to confirm that the individual
components of an ROV System meet the following criteria.
When an ROV is initially supplied, it should be accompanied by ‘Design Certification’ issued by the
manufacturer or verified by a suitably competent person stating that the system, or the individual components
of a system as appropriate, complies with the following criteria:

has been designed and built to an appropriate code or standard;

is of a suitable specification for the purpose and the conditions in which it is to be used and the dynamic
loadings to which it may be subjected; and

complies with national regulations as appropriate.
The Design Certification will normally include a Certificate of Conformity, Compliance or other type approval
statement and be accompanied by supporting documentation such as authority release note, original load testing
certification or any other supporting the compliance statements.
Lifting accessories or ancillary equipment supplied, such as lifting slings and shackles, should be supplied with
certificates from the manufacturer. For the purpose of this document are referred to as ‘Original Certificates’.
Design Certification does not normally have a validity period. It remains valid as long as there are no changes
made to the design or the integrity of the design has not been compromised. If a change from the original design
standard is made which has been assessed by the competent person to have compromised the Design
Certification, then suitable action must be taken to revalidate or replace it. On reinstallation at another location,
the Design Certification should not be compromised and any new installation certification obtained as required.
IMCA LR 010, R 021
3
If a certified component’s design is to be changed/altered or if the component’s integrity has been compromised
in any way, the original manufacturer would in all cases need to be consulted and if necessary the certifying body
asked to provide recommendations on the actions needed to return the component to the Originally Certified
state or to issue a new certificate reflecting the components’ new state.
The ROV and ancillary equipment as originally supplied fall into two categories which are defined below together
with the competent person’s responsibilities in each case.

Proprietary equipment (standard products) which is built to a recognised code or standard:


Only a competent person should gain assurance that the equipment conforms to the product
manufacturer’s published information and is therefore fit for the purpose it is intended to be used for.
If this is the case, then it does not require additional specific tests or certification;
Equipment/systems designed to meet a specific requirement.
proprietary components:

Such equipment/systems may embody
Only a competent person should review the specification/design and verify performance through
examination and testing and determine where certification is required.
7
In Service Inspection/Examination
7.1
Before Use in ROV Operations
A certificate, signed by a competent person, should be available for each ROV, and item of equipment
which is to be lifted or used in lifting, verifying that it has been tested and examined under the selected
code/standard to their satisfaction and is therefore deemed to be fit for use. The validity period of
certification is variable, but generally 12 months is recommended to be the maximum validity for any
certificate unless otherwise stipulated on the certificate itself.
A certificate should include, as a minimum, the following information:
1.
unique certification identification number;
2.
description of lifting appliance or accessory, unit and serial/plant number;
3.
name of the procedure, procedure number, revision number at time of the test and relevant
sections;
4.
safe working load, tare weight and gross weight where applicable;
5.
type of inspection or test and the loads applied;
6.
date of test or inspection performed;
7.
printed name and signature of competent person conducting or verifying the test;
8.
location where test carried out, i.e. vessel or installation name.
Note: Where a portable offshore unit/frame/accessory does not have an identification or serial number
one should be assigned and a stamp or stamped plate securely attached on the equipment in the most
appropriate visible position. This serial number should always appear on the equipment’s certification
documents.
7.2
Long Term Installation
In the case of portable offshore equipment installed for long-term periods and where lifting points or
slings are not in regular use, in-date certification need not be maintained although appropriate
maintenance should be carried out. However, if the validity of the certification has lapsed, examination,
test and re-certification of the equipment would be required prior to these items being used again in a
lifting capacity.
4
IMCA LR 010, R 021
8
Initial and Periodic Examination and Test
Examination and test criteria are defined as follows:

Appendix 2 – Portable equipment lifting structure, points and lifting sets;

Appendix 3 – Subsea package frames;

Appendix 4 – Miscellaneous equipment.
9
Retention of Certification
New/Original Certification should normally be retained within the owner’s/contractor’s technical records
onshore. The periodic visual inspection certification should be retained offshore with the relevant equipment,
as well as within the owner’s/contractor’s technical records onshore.

Original Certification – lifetime of equipment;

New Certification – lifetime of certificate;

Periodic Testing and Inspection Certification – lifetime of certificate.
The owner/contractor may consider retaining all past certificates, or incorporating the information into a
database, thus maintaining a comprehensive history of each item of equipment. This historical record would
normally be retained in the owner’s/contractor’s technical records onshore.
10 Maintenance
The following guidance is recommended for the conduct of maintenance on ROV and ancillary equipment:
1.
Plant and equipment should be maintained as part of a PMS by competent personnel, in accordance with
manufacturers’ instructions and national regulations where applicable to ensure its continued safe use.
2.
Frequent general visual inspections should be routinely conducted on equipment in use and as part of the
PMS.
3.
The correct appropriate PPE should be worn at all times by personnel carrying out maintenance.
4.
All applicable HSE procedures should be followed and any necessary permits to carry out maintenance work
(PTW) should be conscientiously adhered to and job cards or formalised procedures followed at all times.
5.
Any maintenance work incurring potential hazards should be subject to appropriate risk assessment process
and consequent toolbox talk or safety briefing before work is commenced.
6.
Personnel should be aware that failure to adhere to established formal company work procedures may be
considered to be a negligent act, particularly where this leads to a serious safety event or incident.
11 References
IMCA R 004
Code of practice for the safe and efficient operation of remotely operated vehicles
IMCA R 011
The initial and periodic examination, testing and certification of ROV handling systems
IMCA R 018
Guidelines for installing ROV Systems on vessels or platforms
IMCA C 005
Guidance on competence assurance and assessment: Remote Systems & ROV Division
IMCA M 194
Guidance on wire rope integrity management for vessels in the offshore industry
LOLER
Lifting operations and lifting equipment regulations, 1998
89/655/EEC
Use of work equipment directive
ILO No.152
Register of lifting appliances and items of loose gear
EN 12079
Offshore containers and associated lifting sets
DNV GL 2.7-1/3
Standard for certification: Offshore containers
DNV GL 2.22
Standard for certification of lifting appliances
IMCA LR 010, R 021
5
Appendix 1
Categories of Competent Person
1.
A certificated Class I Chief Engineer (Marine), or other person, who may be an employee of an independent
company, or an employee of the owner of the equipment in which case his responsibilities shall enable him
to act independently and in a professional manner.
2.
Suitably qualified and experienced persons deemed competent under IMCA C 005 – Guidance on competence
assurance and assessment: Remote Systems & ROV Division – to carry out testing and examination of lifting
equipment for the positions of ROV Superintendent (R20) or ROV Supervisor (R01), or a suitably
experienced employee of the owner of the equipment such as an ROV Workshop Supervisor, whose
responsibilities enable them to act independently and in a professional manner.
3.
A suitably qualified and experienced person specialising in examination and testing work and his/her company
accredited to an industry and regionally recognised authoritative body.
4.
The manufacturer or approved supplier of the equipment, who has access to all the necessary testing facilities
and has competency in the examination and testing of lifting equipment.
5.
A classification society or insurance company surveyor, but who may be an ‘in-house’ chartered engineer or
person of similar standing (unless specific legal restrictions apply) competent in the examination and testing
of lifting equipment.
Note: To be deemed competent to re-terminate umbilicals an individual should have successfully completed a
resin socket termination course which complies with internationally accepted applicable standards and certified
by a company accredited to an industry or regionally recognised authoritative body.
6
IMCA LR 010, R 021
Appendix 2
Inspection, Testing and Maintenance of Portable Equipment Lifting
Structure, Points and Lifting Sets
Lifting Points
Portable offshore units with DNV GL or EN 12079 lifting points should be maintained in accordance with
DNV GL 2.7-1 (48-month schedule), DNV GL 2.7-3 or EN 12079-3 standard (whichever is applicable).
If a unit is damaged such that it no longer complies with this standard, it should not be used until it is repaired
and then inspected and approved by an inspection body.
Repairs should be carried out in accordance with requirements for design and manufacture set out in DNV GL
2.7 1, DNV GL 2.7-3, DNV GL 2.2.2 (60-month schedule) or EN 12079-1.
Following repair; the unit needs to be inspected and where relevant tested in accordance with DNV GL 2.7-1,
DNV GL 2.7 3 or EN 12079-1.
Inspection, testing and certification of repairs carried out on DNV GL 2.22 design verified structures should be
clarified with DNV GL on a case by case basis depending on the expected frequency of lifting/transportation.
It is recommended that as a minimum; any portable or semi portable offshore units built to any standard other
than DNV GL 2.7-1, DNV GL 2.7 3 or EN 12079-1, which are to remain fit for lifting (i.e. not long term installed
on a vessel) should be inspected, non-destructively examined and tested in accordance with the following
schedule.
Inspection/Examination/Test
Suffix to be
Marked on
Plate
Competent
Person (any one
of those listed)
Time or Interval
Lifting Test
Initial or as new
As defined by the standard to which they have been design verified
At intervals not
exceeding 12 months
Not applicable
Not applicable
Yes
V
1, 2, 3, 4, 5
At intervals not
exceeding 48 months
Not applicable
Yes
Yes
VN
3
After substantial repair
or alteration1
Yes
Yes
Yes
T
4, 5
T
VN
V
(see Note 1)
NDE
Visual
Inspection
(see Note 1)
(see Note 1)
Proof load test, non-destructive examination and visual inspection
Non-destructive examination (NDE) and visual inspection
Visual inspection
Table 1 – Schedule of periodic inspection, examination and testing of lifting points
Note:
1.
The competent person may require other or additional inspections, examinations or tests.
Following examination or testing a data plate should be affixed to the lifting structure containing the following
information:

serial number;

date of entering service;

safe working load;

date of inspection;
1
A substantial repair or alteration means any repair and/or alteration carried out, which may, in the opinion of the competent person,
affect the primary elements of the offshore unit, or elements which contribute directly to its structural integrity.
IMCA LR 010, R 021
7
type of test (T, VN or V):


T
proof load test, non-destructive examination and visual inspection

VN
non-destructive examination (NDE) and visual inspection

V
visual inspection.
Note: Data plates should not be affixed to box section by drilling and riveting. This may result in premature
corrosion to the inside of the box section.
Lifting Sets
Portable offshore units designed to DNV GL or EN 12079 standards should be maintained and/or replaced in
accordance with DNV GL 2.7-1, DNV GL 2.7-3 or EN 12079 standard whichever is applicable.
As a minimum; any lifting slings made to any other standard for portable offshore units which are to remain fit
for lifting (i.e. not a long term installation on a vessel) should be inspected, non-destructively examined and tested
in accordance with the following schedule:
Inspection/Examination/Test
Time or
Interval
Visual
Inspection
Applicable to
Load Test
Initial
Certification
Complete lifting set
As defined by the standard to which they are designed
Interval not
exceeding
12 months
Complete lifting set
N/A
N/A
Yes
V
1, 2, 3
Interval not
exceeding
48 months
Sling components and
joining links excluding
legs
Either load
test or
NDE
Either load
test or
NDE
Yes
T or VN2
1, 3
Chain sling legs
Either load
test or
NDE
Either load
test or
NDE
Yes
T or VN
1, 3
Shackles
N/A
N/A
Yes
N/A
Complete lifting set
Yes
Yes
Yes
T
1, 3
1, 3
After
substantial
repair or
alteration
T
VN
V
NDE
Competent
Person (any
one of those
listed)
Suffix to be
Marked on
Sling Tag
Proof load test, non-destructive examination and visual inspection
Non-destructive examination (NDE) and visual inspection
Visual inspection
Table 2 – Schedule of periodic inspection, examination and testing of lifting sets
Lifting Sling Marking
Slings should be marked with an identification tag permanently attached to the top assembly of the sling. The tag
should be made of metal with the marking permanently embossed or stamped. The text should be permanently
and legibly marked on the tags in characters not less than 4 mm in height.
Marking on tags for chain and wire rope slings should include:

when applicable: the CE mark;

reference to a standard for certification;3

the certificate number and, if applicable, the unique identification number of the sling;4
2
3
Depending on whether tested or examined.
This marking may be ‘DNV GL 2.7-1’ or the marking may be combined with marking according to EN 12079-1 thus: ‘DNV GL 2.7-1/EN
12079 1’ or any other standards which may apply.
Since one certificate may cover several lifting sets, it may be necessary to include both the certificate number and a unique identification
number to get a unique identification.
4
8
IMCA LR 010, R 021

the number of legs;

diameter of chain or wire rope used, including the top leg where fitted;

WLL of the lifting set;

maximum angle of the sling legs from the vertical;

identification number of each shackle;

manufacturer;

certificate number;

inspector’s mark, inspection suffix, and date of periodic inspections;

owner’s name.
Record Keeping
The equipment owner should retain the current certification for each unit, record substantial repairs,
modifications or changes in identification, etc. and maintain adequate records to ensure traceability.
IMCA LR 010, R 021
9
Appendix 3
Inspection, Testing and Maintenance of Subsea Package Frames
The testing guidance set out below should be considered the minimum acceptable but equipment manufacturers’
guidance may be more demanding.
Subsea items such as the ROV, TMS and tooling skids (including backpack frames) should be tested and inspected
as part of a five-year programme as far as is reasonably practicable. It is normal practice for the ROV, TMS and
tooling skids to be inspected and tested separately. These items will typically not be designed, design approved
and released in respect of any specific code or standard, instead they are normally designed specifically for
purpose and to meet the conditions in which they will be operated.
The term ‘reasonably practicable’ is a term used in health and safety legislation and regulation. It requires that
the responsible person for the risk must take mitigating actions to reduce the risk to as low as is reasonably
practicable for that situation or circumstance. A judgement has to be made on the level of risk and the sacrifice
needed to reduce this up to the point that it becomes grossly disproportional to the possible outcome of the
risk being realised. The following aspects should be considered:

likelihood of a hazard being discovered as a result of the check;

harm that may result from that hazard if undetected;

risk to personnel during the check;

disproportionate cost compared to likelihood of hazard being discovered.
For example; it might be judged to be ‘unreasonable’ to remove the buoyancy from the ROV annually to inspect
the ROV lifting frame. This would expose crew to an unnecessary lifting operation on an unstable vessel/rig
when it is highly unlikely the frame would be damaged and unnoticed until this point in time.
NDE should be carried out both before and after testing.
Item No.
Initial Examination and Test Criteria
Competent
Person
Validity Period
(months)
1
TMS Lifting Path
Static Load Test
Main lifting points – (SWL+ TMS mass) x DAF
Emergency lifting points – (SWL+TMS mass) x DAF
TMS docking box – SWL x DAF
1, 3, 4
1, 3, 4
1, 3, 4
N/A
N/A
N/A
ROV Lifting Path5
Static Load Test
Main lifting points – (SWL + ROV mass) x DAF
Emergency lifting points – (SWL + ROV mass) x DAF
Underslung skid attachment points – SWL x DAF
Backpack frame attachment point – SWL x DAF
1, 3, 4
1, 3, 4
1, 3, 4
1, 3, 4
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
1, 3, 4
N/A
1, 3, 4
N/A
1, 3, 4
N/A
1.1
1.2
1.3
2
2.1
2.2
2.3
2.4
3
3.1
3.2
4
4.1
Underslung Skid
Compression Test
Underslung skid frame (ROV mass + TMS mass) x 1.5
Static Load Test
Underslung skid mounting points (skid mass + SWL) x DAF
Backpack Frame
Static Load Test
Backpack frame mounting points (frame mass + SWL) x DAF
Table 3 – Initial testing of subsea package components
5
10
ROVs such as observation class ROVs which can only be launched within a garage TMS may or may not have main lifting points.
IMCA LR 010, R 021
Item No.
Annual Examination and Test Criteria
1
1.1
TMS Lifting Path
100% visual inspection of all equipment in load path (see Note 1)
100% of all umbilical bullet termination securing fasteners
torque to be checked
10% of all other load path fasteners to be checked
1.2
1.3
2
2.1
2.2
2.3
ROV Lifting Path
100% visual inspection of all equipment in load path
100% of all umbilical bullet termination securing fasteners
torque to be checked
10% of all other load path fasteners to be checked
3
3.1
3.2
Underslung Skid
100% visual inspection of all equipment in load path
100% of all pin securing fasteners torque to be checked
Competent
Person
Validity Period
(months)
1, 2, 3
1, 2, 3
12
1, 2, 3
1, 2, 3
1, 2, 3
12
1, 2, 3
1, 2, 3
1, 2, 3
12
Table 4 – Annual testing of subsea package components
All subsea package load path structure and components should be tested at five-yearly intervals from the date of
first entering service.
Item No.
Five-yearly Examination and Test Criteria
Competent
Person
Validity Period
(months)
1
TMS Lifting Path
Static Load Test
Main lifting points – (SWL+ TMS mass) x 1.5
Emergency lifting points – (SWL+TMS mass) x 1.5
TMS docking box – SWL x 1.5 (see Note 1)
1, 2, 3
1, 2, 3
1, 2, 3
60
60
60
ROV Lifting Path
Static Load Test
Main lifting points – (SWL + ROV mass) x 1.5
Emergency lifting points – (SWL + ROV mass) x 1.5
Underslung skid attachment points – SWL x 1.5
Underslung skid attachment pins – replace
Backpack frame attachment point – SWL x 1.5
1, 2, 3
1, 2, 3
1, 2, 3
1, 2, 3, 4
1, 2, 3, 4
60
60
60
60
60
Underslung Skid
Static Load Test
Underslung skid mounting points – (skid mass + SWL) x 1.5
1, 2, 3, 4
60
Backpack Frame
Static Load Test
Backpack frame mounting points – (frame mass + SWL) x 1.5
1, 2, 3, 4
60
1.1
1.2
1.3
2
2.1
2.2
2.3
2.4
2.5
3
3.1
4
4.1
Table 5 – Five-yearly testing of subsea package components
Table 4 and 5 Note:
1.
It is up to the individual ROV contractor to define each item, within the load path of their particular
equipment, in their own procedures.
Following periodic inspection or testing a data plate should be affixed to all tested subsea package components
containing the following information:

serial number;

date of entering service;

safe working load;
IMCA LR 010, R 021
11

date of inspection;

type of test (T, VN or V):

T
proof load test, non-destructive examination and visual inspection

VN
non-destructive examination (NDE) and visual inspection

V
visual inspection.
Note: Do not drill into ROV core lifting frame to fit a data plate.
In certain installations the load testing of the ROV, TMS etc. will prove to be extremely difficult to perform safely.
In such cases, the NDE may be the only option and deferment of load testing should be managed by a risk
assessed management of change process. However, it should not be delayed indefinitely and it would be
reasonable for the load testing to be done when the first opportunity presented itself, such as during a drydocking period.
12
IMCA LR 010, R 021
Appendix 4
Inspection, Testing and Maintenance of Miscellaneous Equipment
Where applicable, miscellaneous items, such as maintenance trestles, trolleys and emergency recovery slings
should be tested and inspected as part of a five-year programme.
The testing guidance set out below should be considered the minimum acceptable but equipment manufacturers’
guidance may set more onerous criteria.
NDE testing should be carried out before and after testing.
Maintenance stands, trestles and trolleys:

Used to support their designed load (e.g. ROV, with or without ancillary equipment and TMS) when it is on
deck.

These stands should be tested and inspected regularly to ensure that they are fit for purpose.
Item No.
Examination and Test Criteria
Competent
Person
Validity Period
(months)
1
Initial Testing
Compression test
1.5 x SWL
1, 3, 4, 5
n/a
Periodic Testing
Visual inspection of welds
1, 2, 3, 5
12
Five-yearly Testing
Compression test
1.5 x SWL
1, 3, 5
60
2
3
Table 6 – Testing programme for maintenance stands, trestles and trolleys
A certificate as detailed in section 6 or 7 should be issued following satisfactory completion of the test.
A data plate should be affixed to the stand, trestle or trolley containing the following information:

serial number;

date of entering service;

safe working load;

date of inspection;

type of test (T, VN or V):

T
Proof load test, non-destructive examination and visual inspection

VN
Non-destructive examination (NDE) and visual inspection

V
Visual inspection.
Synthetic Webbing and Round Slings used Subsea
Inspection of synthetic webbing and round slings should be carried out regularly if during the service life the
equipment is exposed to harsh operating or storage conditions causing deterioration that is likely to result in
dangerous situations.
Regular inspections should identify damaged or defective slings and ensure they are removed from service before
failure occurs. Synthetic webbing or round slings should be checked by the person using the sling before each
use.
An inspection is defined for the purposes of this guidance as: a visual check to determine no obvious damage or
deterioration to the sling and to ensure that health and safety conditions are maintained, with any deterioration
detected and remedied in good time.
IMCA LR 010, R 021
13
Note: Lifting accessories should be examined if there is any reason to doubt its integrity, e.g. if it is damaged or
fails, is out of use for long periods, or if there is a major change in how it is used which is likely to affect its
integrity.
It is standard practice to use synthetic webbing or round slings for the purposes of recovering the ROV or TMS
to the deck in the event of an emergency. Typically, they are attached to the ROV or TMS using shackles fitted
to approved points and they must be of a rating sufficient to lift the object from the water to the deck using a
ships crane taking into account the dynamic effects of lifting the load through the air water interface.
Synthetic webbing or round slings should be part of the PMS.
Summary of types of inspections required on soft slings:

before use (pre-use check) – checks carried out before the lifting equipment is used by the user/operator;

periodically as part of a regular maintenance programme for items used in lifting;

every 12 months (max) synthetic webbing or round slings which have been in service subsea should be
removed and disposed of;

at other intervals or under conditions identified by the manufacturer or risk assessment.
14
IMCA LR 010, R 021