Lifeboat recovery strops are required for any lifeboat that also functions as a rescue boat in rough weather. They allow the crew to safely connect the heavy lifting hooks (fall blocks) to the boat's lifting rings without injuring their hands or damaging the boat in high waves.

Key Strop Requirements:
- Strength & Testing: Strops must have a minimum tensile strength factor of safety of at least 6 times the total weight of the fully loaded boat. They must be issued with a valid testing certificate and pass periodic inspections.
- Material: The ropes or slings must be rot-proof, UV-resistant, and corrosion-resistant. Common materials include nylon or high-strength soft steel wire.
- Design & Marking: The strop must have an appropriate length to reach the davit fall blocks easily, and each strop must be permanently marked with its entry-into-service date.
- Regulation Standards: Requirements are dictated by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the The Marshall Islands Registry under SOLAS Chapter III guidelines.
- Maintenance: Every strop must be visually inspected by the crew before each use and thoroughly checked every six months.

The Recovery Process
Think of the strop like a flexible extension cord. In calm weather, you connect the boat directly to the heavy metal hook hanging from the crane. In bad weather, the heavy metal hook swings wildly. Crew members attach the flexible strop to the boat first, and then easily clip the swinging hook to the end of the strop while staying safely inside the boat. You can review imorules for detailed strop and sling guidelines.

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