Overview
ISO 16855:2013 - “Ships and marine technology - Loose gear of lifting appliances on ships - General requirements” defines the general requirements for loose gear (detachable lifting components) used with shipboard lifting appliances. It applies to a wide range of loose gear items such as chains, hooks, blocks, shackles, swivels, lifting beams and spreaders. The standard addresses materials, construction, testing, marking and inspection to ensure safe working loads and reliable shipboard rigging.
Key topics and requirements
- Scope and definitions: Clarifies what constitutes loose gear (e.g., hooks, blocks, shackles, rigging screws, lifting beams).
- Materials: Prohibits cast iron/steel for hooks, eyes, swivels and shackles; requires appropriate heat treatment of forgings and recommends quality steel production (e.g., electroslag remelting for shackles).
- Blocks and sheaves:
- Design to minimize clearance between sheaves and partitions to prevent rope jamming.
- Lubrication provisions for bearings and swivel heads without dismantling.
- Snatch blocks are not permitted in lifting appliance systems.
- Minimum sheave-to-rope diameter ratios specified (examples from Table 1: derrick rigs - 13 for running ropes, cranes/submersible systems - 19 for wire ropes; fibre ropes - 6).
- Other technical rules:
- Hooks (“C” type) designed to avoid catching ship structure; swivel between hook and short link chain for free rotation; shackles with screwed pins and anti‑loosen devices.
- Prohibits welding to lengthen or repair chains, hooks, links, shackles or swivels.
- Replacement criteria for worn or cracked items (e.g., >10% wastage of dimensions for certain parts).
- Testing requirements:
- Test machines and weights must be calibrated/certified to ±2%.
- Every item must be proof-tested for at least 5 minutes with specified loads (examples from Table 2: single-sheave blocks - 4× SWL; multi-sheave blocks - 2× SWL; chains/hooks/rings/shackles/swivels - 2× SWL; chains also require breaking tests - sample links to withstand 4× SWL).
- Post-test inspection for deformation, cracks and free rotation.
- Marking and documentation:
- Permanent visible marking after testing: safe working load (t), material quality mark, manufacturer/test unit stamp, rope diameter (for blocks), and self-weight for beams.
- Recommendation to keep rigging plans/specifications on board (referencing ISO 233 symbol tables).
Practical applications
- Ensures safe selection, manufacture, testing and identification of loose lifting gear used on cargo cranes, derricks, winches and handling systems aboard ships.
- Reduces risk of lifting accidents, rope jamming, and component failure through enforced design, testing and marking criteria.
Who should use this standard
- Shipbuilders and shipyards
- Marine equipment manufacturers (hooks, shackles, blocks, lifting beams)
- Ship operators, riggers and deck crews
- Classification societies, Flag Administrations and marine surveyors
- Procurement and safety/PSC inspectors
Related standards
- ISO 233 (documentation / symbol tables for rigging plans)
- ISO 1837 (lifting hooks nomenclature)
- ISO 2415 (forged shackles for general lifting purposes)