Maintaining Safety at Sea: Inspection of Ships’ Cranes and Lifting Gear

Lifting equipment plays a vital role in shipboard operations, enabling the safe handling of cargo, supporting maintenance tasks, and ensuring crew safety. From pedestal-mounted cranes to loose cargo gear, these systems must operate reliably in demanding marine environments. Regular inspection, testing, and certification are not only essential for safety—they’re a legal requirement under Maritime Rules Part 49, administered by Maritime New Zealand.

DEG Survey & Inspection provides comprehensive inspection and certification services to help vessel operators meet these obligations and maintain safe, compliant lifting systems.

What Equipment Requires Inspection?

Under Rule 49, a wide range of lifting appliances and associated gear must be inspected and certified at prescribed intervals. This includes:

• Pedestal-mounted cranes – including straight boom, knuckle boom, and telescopic boom types
• Union Purchase rigs – used for cargo transfer between ship and shore
• Shipboard container cranes – essential for container handling operations
• Loose cargo gear – such as shackles, slings, hooks, and spreader beams
• Rigging and height safety equipment – used for personnel access and secure lifting

Each item must be tested, examined, and documented to ensure it meets the relevant standards and remains fit for purpose.

DEG’s Inspection and Certification Services

DEG Survey & Inspection offers a full suite of services aligned with Rule 49 and industry best practice. These include:

• Inspection and testing of shipboard cranes and lifting appliances
• Examination and certification of loose cargo gear and rigging
• Inspection of height safety equipment used for access and lifting
• Load testing and functional assessments
• Maintenance of gear registers, rigging plans, and certificates of test
• Transport of faulty equipment to approved facilities for repair and recertification

All inspections are carried out by qualified personnel to the applicable standards and acceptance criteria, ensuring compliance and operational reliability.

Why Regular Inspection Matters

Marine lifting equipment is exposed to harsh conditions—saltwater, vibration, heavy loads, and constant use. Without regular inspection, wear and defects can go unnoticed, increasing the risk of failure, injury, or operational disruption. Certification under Rule 49 provides assurance that equipment is safe, compliant, and ready for use.

Supporting Safe and Compliant Operations

Whether operating a coastal vessel, offshore platform, or international cargo ship, DEG Survey & Inspection helps ensure lifting systems meet the highest safety and compliance standards. Our inspections are thorough, timely, and backed by deep expertise in marine safety and regulatory requirements.

Summary
Maintaining compliant lifting equipment is essential for safe and efficient shipboard operations. DEG Survey & Inspection delivers trusted, Rule 49-aligned inspection and certification services for cranes, cargo gear, and rigging systems. With a strong focus on safety, reliability, and legal compliance, DEG supports vessel operators in meeting their obligations and protecting their crews, cargo, and reputation.

Would you like this version formatted for a brochure, paired with imagery, or adapted for a specific vessel class or client sector? I can also help align it with IANZ or ISO references if needed.