Davit load testing Europe is not a formality. Under SOLAS Ch. III/Reg. 20 and MSC.402(96) your davits must safely lift 110% SWL, proving brakes, controls, structure, and winch performance. Below is a clear, shipyard-ready walkthrough of how OJ Safety plans, executes and documents proof-load tests across the EU and Scandinavia so class and flag have zero questions later.

Davit load testing Europe — what IMO requires

• When: Every 5 years and after major repairs or modifications.

• What: Dynamic proof-load to 110% SWL, functional checks of winch, brakes, limit switches, control gear; visual checks before/after load.

• Standards: SOLAS Ch. III/Reg. 20, IMO MSC.402(96), and operational guidance from MSC.1/Circ.1206/Rev.1.

• Acceptance: Reports and certificates aligned with RINA, DNV, BV, ABS, LR. (Choose a provider with a RINA approved lifeboat service capability to cut surveyor queries.)

Step-by-step proof-load procedure

Phase 1 — Preparation (where most risk is removed)

Good tests start at the desk:

• Manuals & circulars: Confirm OEM procedures and relevant class instructions for the davit/winch type.

• Records: Review last inspection findings, wire-rope certificates, brake service, hydraulic history.

• Rules: Map the flag/class requirements (RINA, DNV, BV, ABS, LR) and port HSE constraints.

• Parameters: Fix SWL and proof-load (typically 1.1 × SWL; e.g., 2,000 kg SWL → 2,200 kg test).

• Plan: Define sequence, cordon, comms, stop-criteria, and sign-off path with owner/class.

All parameters are logged in our QMS for traceability — baseline discipline for an ISO 9001 certified maritime safety company.

Phase 2 — Pre-test visual inspection (don’t load what you wouldn’t sail)

Before any water fills a bag:

• Structure: Arms, pillars, foundations, weld toes — check for cracks/corrosion.

• Running gear: Sheaves, bearings, wire ropes, sockets, thimbles; verify reeving and fleets.

• Power & control: Hydraulics (leaks/pressure), electrical interlocks, limit switches, E-stop.

• Brakes: Static/dynamic checks; confirm adjustment and condition.

If something’s off, it’s corrected first. Loading a compromised system is unsafe and non-compliant with MSC.402(96).

Phase 3 — Water bags, load cells, and brake verification

We rig certified water bags with calibrated load cells:

• Smooth loading (no shock), adjustable to fine resolution.

• Certificates and serial numbers for each bag/cell are captured in the job pack.

• Fill rate controlled via flow meters; rigging points per OEM/class (hooks or falls) with redundancy where required.

Phase 4 — The dynamic proof-load test (the actual exam)

Execution follows MSC.1/Circ.1206/Rev.1 and the class service manual:

1. Fill to 110% SWL while monitoring pressure/deflection.

2. Hoist & hold to validate structure and brake torque.

3. Lower under control to confirm smooth operation and synchronization.

What we watch continuously: hydraulic pressure trends, rope stretch, alignment, brake response, unusual sounds/vibration, and any visible deformation.
Stop-criteria are predefined: if readings drift or behaviour changes, we pause, drain, investigate (NDT if needed), then resume.

Phase 5 — Post-test inspection & data capture (what convinces class)

Immediately after draining:

• Re-inspect weld toes, foundations, brackets, sheave flanges for hairline cracks or distortion.

• Verify brake settings and controls post-load.

• Log evidence: achieved load, pressure curves, torque values, rope diameters; photo-timeline of gauges/rigging; serials of critical parts; calibration sheets.

This is the content your surveyor relies on. It turns a successful run into an unquestionable record.

Phase 6 — Reporting for class acceptance (RINA, DNV, BV, ABS, LR)

We compile a Load Test Report with:

• Test parameters & achieved loads.

• Photo sequence of setup/execution.

• Calibration and ISO traceability bundle.

• Technician IDs and approvals.

Report passes QMS review and goes for owner/class endorsement. Once endorsed, the Class-Backed Certificate enters the LSA file — valid five years (or until major structural work). Maintaining one Europe-wide MSC.402(96) lifeboat inspection program keeps documents consistent between shipyards and ports.

Safety & competence (small things that prevent big problems)

• Cordon the area; brief crew; control access.

• Continuous comms between winch operator and test supervisor.

• Stop-cards encouraged — anyone can halt the test.

• Competence: engineers current on OEM/class procedures and certified for Working at Height / Confined Space.

These controls aren’t “paper” — they directly reduce incident probability during a heavy suspended load.

Ports covered in Scandinavia & EU (Rotterdam, Hamburg, Esbjerg, Oslo)

We mobilise certified gear and teams quickly, keeping one standard across shipyards. Locations we serve most often:

Benelux & North Sea: Rotterdam, Antwerp, Amsterdam, Vlissingen, Zeebrugge, Dunkirk.
Germany & Denmark: Hamburg, Bremerhaven, Kiel, Esbjerg, Aalborg, Copenhagen, Aarhus.
Nordics: Gothenburg, Stockholm, Oslo, Stavanger, Bergen, Helsinki, Turku.
Baltic corridor: Gdańsk/Gdynia, Riga, Tallinn, Klaipėda.

We mobilise certified gear for davit load testing Europe and Scandinavia within 24–48 h. Same procedure, same documentation standard, same acceptance by RINA, DNV, BV, ABS, LR — so your ship and superintendent don’t lose time on local variations. That’s the benefit of using a single, ISO 9001 certified maritime safety company across regions.

Practical checklist (for superintendents and yards)

• Share the OEM manual and latest service report in advance.

• Confirm SWL and target (110% unless otherwise specified).

• Reserve certified water bags, load cells and calibrated gauges.

• Plan cordon, comms, stop-criteria and post-test visual.

• Pre-book the class/owner sign-off window to avoid idle time.

• If needed, package with hook checks, FFE work or annual lifeboat service — one visit, one certificate set.

The real value

A good davit test pays back on the day you never wanted. But it also saves time in routine life: fewer PSC questions, smoother class surveys, less back-and-forth with insurers. Done right, it’s not just “passed” — it’s predictable, repeatable, and portable from Rotterdam to Esbjerg to Oslo with the same level of trust.