NVIC 05-77: Inspecting hydraulic starting systems on lifeboats

Last reviewed: October 14, 2026

This circular is Coast Guard guidance on maintaining and inspecting hydraulic starting systems on lifeboats and survival capsules so they do not leak. It says masters or persons in charge should routinely examine these systems, for example at the weekly fire and boat drill. It also says Coast Guard inspectors will check the systems during regular inspections.

Applies toThe circular applies to lifeboat and survival capsule hydraulic starting systems, and to masters or persons in charge who examine them.

What it says

  1. The circular provides guidance for maintaining and inspecting lifeboat and survival capsule hydraulic starting systems so that they do not leak.

    “This Circular provides guidance for the maintenance and inspection of lifeboat and”

  2. Regulations for inspected vessels require lifeboat motors to be operated for at least 5 minutes, once a week, as the circular cites in 46 CFR x 33.01-15, x 33.25-20, x 78.17-60, x 97.15-45, and x 196.15-45.

    “Regulations for inspected vessels also require that lifeboat motors be operated for at least 5 minutes, once a week”

  3. Masters or persons in charge should routinely examine the hydraulic systems, such as at the weekly fire and boat drill, to make sure they have no leaks that let accumulators discharge.

    NVIC 05-77 a.“Masters or persons in charge should routinely examine lifeboat and survival capsule hydraulic systems such as at the weekly fire and boat drill”

  4. The guidance says each accumulator should be at full pressure at the end of the engine test and should not lose pressure between tests.

    NVIC 05-77 a.“each accumulator is at. full pressure at the conclusion of the engine test, and does not lose pressure between tests.”

  5. For a short term check, the accumulators can be brought up to full pressure, and after several hours there should be no noticeable loss of pressure on the pressure gage.

    NVIC 05-77 a.“After several hours, there should be no noticeable loss of pressure on the pressure gage.”

  6. The circular suggests an interval of at least 4 hours for the short term check, and says a 24 hour interval is better.

    NVIC 05-77 a.“An interval of at least 4 hours is, suggested; however, a 24 hour interval is better.”

  7. Coast Guard inspectors will check the condition of the engine starting hydraulic system on motor lifeboats and survival capsules during their regular inspections.

    NVIC 05-77 b.“Coast Guard inspectors will check the condition of the motor lifeboat and survival capsule,”

Common questions

Why do lifeboat hydraulic starting systems need leak checks?

Leaks in the hydraulic starting systems often result in loss of accumulator pressure. An external leak can let oil escape, so pumping may not restore pressure and the engine may not start.

“leaks in engine starting hydraulic systems often result in loss of accumulator pressure.”

How often should lifeboat hydraulic systems be examined?

Masters or persons in charge should examine them routinely, such as at the weekly fire and boat drill.

“Masters or persons in charge should routinely examine lifeboat and survival capsule hydraulic systems such as at the weekly fire and boat drill”

How long should I wait when checking accumulator pressure loss?

The circular suggests an interval of at least 4 hours, and says a 24 hour interval is better.

“An interval of at least 4 hours is, suggested; however, a 24 hour interval is better.”

Will the Coast Guard check lifeboat hydraulic starting systems?

Yes. Coast Guard inspectors will check the condition of the engine starting hydraulic system during their regular inspections.

“Coast Guard inspectors will check the condition of the motor lifeboat and survival capsule,”

The text of NVIC 05-77

U.S. Coast Guard, NVIC 05-77 (main body; enclosures not shown)

Inspection of Hydraulic Starting Systems for Lifeboats and Survival Capsules

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION UNITED STATES COAST GUARD U.S. Coast Guard Washington, DC 20590 Phone: 202-426-1444 NVC 5-77 20 Dec 1977 NAVIGATION AND VESSEL INSPECTION CIRCULAR NO. 5-77 Subj: Inspection of Hydraulic Starting Systems for Lifeboats and 'Survival Capsules

Inspection of Hydraulic Starting Systems for Lifeboats and Survival Capsules — Purpose. This Circular provides guidance for the maintenance and inspection of lifeboat and

survival capsule hydraulic starting. systems to ensure that these systems do not leak.

Inspection of Hydraulic Starting Systems for Lifeboats and Survival Capsules — Background. Over the past several years accumulated equipment failure reports, reports from

inspectors, observations by other personnel, and reports from lifeboat and survival capsule manufacturers indicate that leaks in engine starting hydraulic systems often result in loss of accumulator pressure.

Inspection of Hydraulic Starting Systems for Lifeboats and Survival Capsules — Discussion. Good safety practices require that lifesaving equipment be properly maintained and

ready for immediate use. Regulations for inspected vessels also require that lifeboat motors be operated for at least 5 minutes, once a week (See 46 CFR x 33.01-15, x 33.25-20, x 78.17-60, x 97.15-45, and x 196.15-45). Certain motor lifeboats and survival capsules are equipped with hydraulic starting systems. These systems store power in pressurized accumulators'. Occasionally, a system leak occurs which allows an accumulator to lose pressure and renders it ineffective for immediate use. If the leak is external and allows oil to be lost from the hydraulic system, pumping may not restore system pressure so that starting the engine will not be possible.

Inspection of Hydraulic Starting Systems for Lifeboats and Survival Capsules — Action.

a. Masters or persons in charge should routinely examine lifeboat and survival capsule hydraulic systems such as at the weekly fire and boat drill, to ensure that they do not contain leaks that allow accumulators to discharge. This can be done by making sure that each accumulator is at. full pressure at the conclusion of the engine test, and does not lose pressure between tests. A short term check of the system can be made by bringing the accumulators up to full pressure. After several hours, there should be no noticeable loss of pressure on the pressure gage. An interval of at least 4 hours is, suggested; however, a 24 hour interval is better. b. Coast Guard inspectors will check the condition of the motor lifeboat and survival capsule, engine starting hydraulic system during the course of their regular inspections.

Sections it refers to

The plain-English explanation on this page was written with AI from the regulation text above and checked automatically before publishing: every quote appears in the text, every number comes from it, and a second model confirmed each statement adds nothing the text doesn't say. The regulation text governs. RegKnot is not affiliated with the U.S. Coast Guard.