Marine safety service
Equipment Rental Services
Short-term hire of test weights and water bags, gas detectors, breathing apparatus, pumps, fans, staging and tools delivered to the vessel for surveys and repairs.
Overview
Marine equipment rental for ships
Marine equipment rental supplies the specialist tools and safety equipment a vessel needs for a job but does not carry, or does not carry in sufficient quantity. Typical examples are water bags and test weights for load tests, extra gas detectors and breathing apparatus for tank work, portable pumps and fans, staging and access equipment for repairs, and calibrated instruments for surveys. Renting avoids buying equipment that is used once every few years and ensures it arrives certified and calibrated.
vslSafety arranges rental equipment from local providers at the vessel’s port, delivered to the berth or anchorage and collected after use, either on its own or combined with the service engineers who will use it.
Regulatory requirements and standards
Much of the demand for rental equipment is driven by testing and safe working requirements. IMO resolution MSC.402(96), in force since 1 January 2020, requires the five-yearly operational test of lifeboat and rescue boat launching appliance winches to be carried out with a proof load equal to 1.1 times the weight of the survival craft or rescue boat with its full complement of persons and equipment, which is commonly done with certified water bags and load cells. Lifting appliances and cargo gear require periodic proof-load testing under flag, class and national rules, and SOLAS regulation II-1/3-13 on lifting appliances and anchor handling winches applies from 1 January 2026.
For enclosed spaces, SOLAS regulation XI-1/7 requires ships to carry portable atmosphere testing instruments capable of measuring at least oxygen, flammable gases or vapours, hydrogen sulphide and carbon monoxide. IMO’s revised Recommendations for entering enclosed spaces aboard ships, adopted in June 2025 by resolution MSC.581(110), place further emphasis on atmosphere testing and rescue preparedness. Where more instruments or breathing apparatus are needed than the ship carries, rented equipment should be calibrated, certified and familiar to users before entry. Staging and access equipment should be erected by competent persons and inspected before use.
Rental equipment and typical uses
| Item | Typical use | Certification expected | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water bags and load cells | Five-yearly winch brake tests, crane and davit proof loads | Water bag and load cell certificates, calibration records | MSC.402(96); lifting appliance rules |
| Solid test weights | Crane, hook and lifting beam proof tests | Weight certificates | Flag, class and national lifting rules |
| Portable gas detectors | Enclosed space entry, tank cleaning, hot work | Recent calibration certificate, bump test | SOLAS XI-1/7 |
| SCBA and air supply sets | Tank entry, rescue standby | Service and cylinder test records | Maker instructions; company SMS |
| Staging and access towers | Repairs at height, surveys of holds and tanks | Inspection record by competent person | Company SMS; local regulations |
What the service includes
- Water bags, load cells, dynamometers and solid test weights for load testing
- Portable multi-gas detectors, single-gas monitors and calibration gas
- Self-contained breathing apparatus, airline sets and escape sets for tank work
- Portable pumps, including submersible and air-driven pumps for flooding, tank stripping and transfers
- Ventilation fans and ducting for gas freeing and enclosed space work
- Staging, scaffolding, access towers, cherry pickers and rafts for over-side work
- Welding machines, generators, air compressors and lighting sets
- Delivery, installation, operator support where required, and collection
Common combinations
Rental equipment is most often ordered together with the service that uses it. Water bags and load cells usually accompany load testing and proof load attendances and lifeboat davit five-yearly tests. Gas detectors, fans and SCBA are frequently added to tank cleaning services and enclosed space repairs. Staging and welding sets support welding and steel work. Combining the order reduces delivery trips and ensures the service engineer is familiar with the equipment.
Common problems
- Rented gas detectors delivered without a current calibration certificate or incorrect sensors for the cargo
- Water bags or load cells without valid certificates, making the load test unacceptable to the surveyor
- Staging erected without inspection or with incomplete guard rails and toe boards
- Breathing apparatus unfamiliar to the crew, delaying rescue readiness
- Insufficient deck strength or fresh water supply for water bag testing
- Equipment not returned on time because collection was not planned with the ETD
Certificates and documents you receive
Depending on the item, rental equipment should be delivered with calibration certificates for gas detectors and load cells, certificates for water bags and test weights, service and hydrostatic test records for breathing apparatus cylinders, inspection records for staging, and a delivery note listing serial numbers. Keep copies with the test or work report, since surveyors and auditors may ask to see the calibration status of the equipment used.
How to prepare the vessel
Confirm quantity, capacity and duration needed, and whether an operator is required. For water bag tests, check deck space, the load path, fresh water supply and drainage, and that the berth permits discharge of test water. For staging, provide drawings of the space and the working height. Plan delivery and collection with the agent, especially at anchorage, and nominate an officer to check the equipment and certificates on arrival.
Information needed for a quotation
- Vessel name, IMO number and flag
- Port, berth or anchorage, ETA, ETD and rental period
- Equipment required, quantity and capacity, such as test load in tonnes or gases to be measured
- Purpose of use, for example lifeboat winch test, crane load test or tank entry
- Whether an operator, installer or trainer is required
- Access arrangements, deck space and crane availability for delivery
- Certification requirements from flag, class or the attending surveyor
vslSafety coordinates a suitable rental provider at the vessel’s port and confirms availability, certification and delivery arrangements in the quotation.
Frequently asked questions
What load is used for the five-yearly lifeboat winch test?
Under MSC.402(96), the five-yearly operational test of the launching appliance winch uses a proof load equal to 1.1 times the weight of the survival craft or rescue boat with its full complement of persons and equipment. Water bags and a calibrated load cell are commonly used so the load can be adjusted accurately. The test is carried out by an authorised service provider.
Are water bags accepted instead of solid test weights?
Water bags with a calibrated load cell are widely accepted for proof-load testing of davits, cranes and lifting appliances, as long as the bags and load cell are certified and the test procedure is agreed with the surveyor or competent person. Some tests, particularly static loads on fixed structures, may still require solid weights. Confirm with class or flag before arranging.
What gases must a portable gas detector measure?
SOLAS XI-1/7 requires portable atmosphere testing instruments capable of measuring at least oxygen, flammable gases or vapours, hydrogen sulphide and carbon monoxide. Depending on the cargo and risk assessment, additional sensors may be needed, for example for carbon dioxide or specific toxic vapours. Rented detectors should come with the correct sensors and a current calibration certificate.
Can rented breathing apparatus be used for enclosed space rescue?
Yes, provided it is certified, in date and the crew are familiar with it. Rescue equipment should be ready at the entrance before anyone enters. Where rented sets differ from the ship’s own, a brief familiarisation session should be held before the work begins, and the sets should be included in the entry permit.
How far in advance should rental equipment be booked?
Common items such as gas detectors and fans are usually available at short notice in major ports. Large water bag sets, high-capacity load cells and staging for big spaces may need several days to arrange, especially in smaller ports. Booking together with the related service avoids last-minute gaps.
