Nautical Term: SWL
Definition of SWL
/Safe Working Load (SWL) refers to the maximum weight that a component or structure in maritime settings can safely support, without risking damage to the equipment or injury to the crew. For instance, when setting up a crane on a ship to load cargo, the SWL rating of the crane and its components must be considered to ensure that the cargo weight does not exceed the safe working load of the crane. /
In a cargo loading scenario on a ship, the captain orders the crew to use the ship’s crane to load cargo onto the vessel. The crane’s Safe Working Load (SWL) rating is a crucial factor that the crew must consider before proceeding with the cargo loading process. The SWL rating represents the maximum weight that the crane’s components, including the hoist ropes, sheaves, and hooks, can safely support without risking damage to the equipment or injury to the crew. To ensure that the cargo loading process remains safe and efficient, the crew must carefully assess the cargo weight and compare it to the SWL rating of the crane. By following this safety protocol, the crew can effectively manage the cargo loading process and minimize the risks associated with heavy lifting operations at sea
Explore other nautical terms: