Issue No: 01

MAINTENANCE OF WIRE ROPES Rev. No: 00

Page 1 of 5
No.SHP/WI/08

1.0. PURPOSE
The purpose of this instruction is to define the responsibilities and actions to be taken in connection to
maintenance, examination and discard of wire ropes on board the vessel.

2.0. RESPONSIBILITY
The Master has the responsibility to ensure that the procedure is fully implemented and adhered to. The Chief
Officer is responsible for all wire ropes on deck are inspected and maintained according to this procedure.
The Chief Engineer is responsible for that the wire ropes in the engine room are inspected and maintain
according to this procedure.
This instruction is applicable on board all ships of EML. This instruction is applicable to the following
types of wire ropes.
Mooring wire ropes.
Deck Crane wire ropes including hose & provision cranes.
Lifeboat falls.
Gangway falls.
Engine room crane.

3.0. INSTRUCTIONS.
The Summary of Wire ropes on board SHP/FO/044 and Examination record for wire ropes SHP/FO/071
must be used along with the following instructions.
3.1 General
All wire ropes utilized on board must be of correct size, length and safe working load suitable for the purpose on
board. The wire ropes must be certified and a copy of the certificate must be kept on board.
As soon as a wire rope is received on board, Examination record for wire ropes SHP/FO/071must be prepared
giving details of all examinations carried out for the wire rope received. Summary of Wire ropes on board
SHP/FO/044 must be updated thereafter.
3.2. Fitting
Before the wire rope is fitted it must be visually examined by the Chief Officer or responsible Officer and the
relevant certificate number should be cross-checked with number entered in the Examination record for wire
ropes SHP/FO/071.

When drawing the wire rope from the reel or coil, precautions should be taken to avoid any loops, kinks or bends
forming in the wire rope. A turntable may be used for the same.

During installation of the wire rope a layer of grease compatible with the original lubricant should be applied. It
is of great importance that the surplus of grease is removed from the wire rope before the wire rope is taken in
for use to avoid dirt sticking to the wire rope, possible water contamination etc.

3.3. Maintenance
Before use, the wire rope should be visually inspected for deterioration and deformation. The wire rope should be
well lubricated at all times and prior to re-lubricating the wire rope should be thoroughly inspected and cleaned
as far as possible.

Rope storage and identification.

Clean and dry storage shall be provided to prevent deterioration of ropes not in use. All wire ropes in store shall
be properly marked to facilitate easy identification. Wire ropes in store should be placed on gratings and re-
arranged periodically to change the weights contact of the coil and also to stop drainage of lubricant. The
Examination record for wire ropes SHP/FO/071 should at all times reflect the actual status of each wire rope
on board including the location of storage/use.

3.4. Examination
Points to be covered by examinations:
The results of previous examination.
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MAINTENANCE OF WIRE ROPES Rev. No: 00
Page 2 of 5
No.SHP/WI/08

The inspection should include the entire length of the wire rope with the object of detecting general
deterioration and deformation. Particular attention should be paid to the rope at the point of attachment such
as to hooks, pulley etc.
Areas subjected to repetitive operations such as places where the rope pass over rollers and through fairleads
should be carefully inspected.
Terminations including pressed ferrules should be inspected for cracks and possible slippage between the
ferrule and the wire rope.
Internal examinations shall be performed as far as applicable/possible.
Examination of wire ropes shall be conducted more frequently if Master deems it necessary due to extensive
usage.

3.5. Discard criteria

Depending on the nature and number of broken wires, the general rule for discarding a wire rope is that if
there are more than 10 broken wires over a length of one turn the wire rope shall be discarded or if the
broken wires is more than given in the following table, the wires rope shall be taken off from use.

Guidance for the number of broken wires in round strand wire ropes
Wire rope Ordinary wire rope Ordinary wire rope Non rotating wire rope Non rotating wire rope
construction Broken wires over a Broken wires over a Broken wires over a Broken wires over a
length of 6d length of 30d length of 6d length of 30d
6x7 2 4 2 4
6 x 19 3 6 2 4
8 x 19 6 13 2 4
6 x 36 7 14 2 4
6 x 41 9 18 2 4

Reduction of diameter resulting from core deterioration can be caused by.

Internal wear and indentation
Internal wear caused by friction between individual strands and wires in the wire rope, particular when
it is subject to bending.
Deterioration of fibre or steel core.
Fracture in internal layers in a multi-strand construction.
If the above factor cause the nominal rope diameter (average of two diameter measurement normal to each other)
to decrease by 7 % for normal wire ropes and by 3% for non-rotating wire ropes, the wire rope shall be discarded
regardless of the numbers of broken wires or not. Small deterioration may not be so apparent during a normal
examination, particularly if the rope stresses are well balanced throughout the individual strands. However, the
condition may result in a loss of rope strength. In such cases the wire rope much be verified by an internal
examination.
External wear
Abrasion of the crown wires of the outer strands in the wire rope result from rubbing contact.
It appears as flat surfaces on the outer wires. Wear reduces the strength of ropes by reducing the cross-
sectional areas of the steel. When owing to external wear the actual wire rope diameter has decreased by
7 % or more of the nominal wire rope diameter, the wire rope shall be discarded even if no wire breaks
are visible.
External and internal corrosion.
Corrosion occurs particularly in marine polluted atmospheres, and will not only diminish the breaking
strength by reducing the metallic area of the rope but will also accelerate fatigue by causing the irregular
surface from which stress cracking will commence. Severe corrosion may cause decreased elasticity of
the rope.
External corrosion of the outer wires may be detected visually, with a verification of the rope diameter.
Please note that it is not unusual that the diameter in stationary wire ropes may increase due to build-up
of rust under the outer layer of strands.
Internal corrosion is more difficult to detect and it will be necessary to carry out an internal examination.
If the single wires in the strands have a wear down of more than 1/3 of the wire diameter the rope should
be discarded.
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MAINTENANCE OF WIRE ROPES Rev. No: 00
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No.SHP/WI/08

Deformation
Visible deformation of the rope from its normal formation is termed deformation and may create a
change at the deformation position, which will result in an uneven stress distribution in the rope.
The wire rope shall be discarded if the wire rope has got a kink or tightening loops, flattened portions,
decrease or increase in diameter, bends and / or waved.

3.6. Mooring wire ropes

Further to the above general instruction please note the following:
The wire ropes must be examined at intervals not exceeding two months regardless of the number of
port calls.
The wire ropes must be examined prior to and after a port call.
At intervals not exceeding 2 years the wire ropes must be turned end for end and the wire ropes should
be renewed not later than every 5 years.

3.7. Deck Crane wire ropes (incl. hose handling cranes & provision cranes)
Further to the above general instruction please note the following:
The wire ropes must be examined with intervals not exceeding ONE month.
The wire ropes must be examined prior to and after loading or a discharge operation has been carried out.
The examination should include
Examine termination of rope at drum
Examine defective coiling, which causes deformations (flattened portions and wear, which can be severe
at cross-over positions
Examine for wire breaks
Examine for corrosion
Look for deformations caused by snatch loading
Examine portion which winds over pulley for wire breaks and wear.
Check for wire breaks and corrosion at points of attachments and sections of wire rope which lies on or
adjacent to compensating pulleys.
Check for deformation
Check rope diameter.
Examine carefully length, which runs through pulley block, particularly the length which lies on the
pulley when the appliance is in loaded condition.
Condition of equipment related to wire rope
Winding drums and pulleys shall be checked periodically to ensure that all these components rotate correctly
in their bearings.
The radius at the bottom of the groove in all pulleys shall be appropriate to the nominal diameter of the wire
rope. If the radius has become too great the pulley must be replaced. See Below

Pulley / Sheave
T A
12 3
10 2,5
8 2
6 1,5

A= wear
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MAINTENANCE OF WIRE ROPES Rev. No: 00
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No.SHP/WI/08

3.8. Life boat falls

3.8.1. Periodic Inspection
3.8.1.1 The amendment to SOLAS III/20.4, as set out in IMO Resolution MSC 216(82) requires that the falls
used in launching are to be inspected periodically (i.e. at least annually) with special regard for areas passing
through sheaves.
3.8.1.2. This acceptance of the periodic inspection is on the basis that the falls will be renewed when necessary
due to deterioration of the falls or at intervals of not more than 5 years, whichever is earlier.
3.8.1.3. The periodic inspection shall be carried out by competent persons within the window before, or at the
time of, the Safety Equipment survey.

3.8.2. Requirements for Periodic Inspections

3.8.2.1. The periodic inspection of every wire shall at least comply with the following specification:
i. The survival craft must be lowered to the water, or the wire otherwise paid out, such that the wire bears
no weight and there is no more than one layer left on the drum. The wire shall then be cleaned to
facilitate a general inspection of its condition.
ii. The stationary parts of the wire, i.e. parts resting on or within sheaves and locking devices, must be
given particularly close attention during that inspection.
iii. Once the wire is clean it must be verified as free from corrosion and that grease had penetrated the
whole wire.
iv. After satisfactory inspection an approved type of grease shall be reapplied and the wire re-wound on the
drum as recommended by the manufacturer.
3.8.2.2. Wires found with corrosion or deterioration to the extent that their strength is compromised must be
replaced

3.9. Gangway wire ropes

Further to the above general instruction please note the following:
The wire ropes must be examined at intervals not exceeding two months.
The examination should include
Examine termination of rope at drum
Examine defective coiling, which causes deformations (flattened portions and wear, which can be severe
at cross-over positions
Examine for wire breaks
Examine for corrosion
Look for deformations caused by snatch loading
Examine portion which winds over pulley for wire breaks and wear.
Check for wire breaks and corrosion at points of attachments and sections of rope which lies on or
adjacent to compensating pulleys.
Check for deformation
Check rope diameter.
Examine carefully length, which runs through pulley block, particularly that length which lies on the
pulley when the appliance is in loaded condition.

3.10. Engine room crane

Further to the above general instruction please note the following:
The wire ropes must be examined with intervals not exceeding three months.
The examination should include the following:
Examine termination of rope at drum
Examine defective coiling, which causes deformations (flattened portions and wear, which can be severe
at cross-over positions
Examine for wire breaks
Examine for corrosion
Look for deformations caused by snatch loading
Examine portion which winds over pulley for wire breaks and wear.
 Issue No: 01
MAINTENANCE OF WIRE ROPES Rev. No: 00
Page 5 of 5
No.SHP/WI/08

Check for wire breaks and corrosion at points of attachments and sections of wire rope which lies on or
adjacent to compensating pulleys.
Check for deformation
Check rope diameter.
Examine carefully length, which runs through pulley block, particularly that length which lies on the
pulley when the appliance is in loaded condition.

4.0 REFERENCES
4.1 Maintenance of wire ropes SHP/WI/08

5.0 RECORDS AND RETENTION PERIOD

5.1 Summary of wire ropes on board SHP/FO/044 3 years
5.2 Examination Record for Wire rope SHP/FO/071 3 years