Release the Falls Sign

Release the Falls Sign – MS0034

The Release the Falls Sign marks the hook-release mechanism used to disengage a lifeboat or rescue boat from its lowering falls once it is safely waterborne. This ISO 7010 mandatory-action pictogram instructs crew on the precise direction and motion required to operate the release hook, an action that must be performed correctly and without hesitation during a launch, abandon-ship situation, or routine SOLAS lifeboat drill.

Manufactured from durable photoluminescent material, MS0034 continues to glow after mains power fails, keeping the release instruction legible during a blackout, dense smoke, or a night-time evacuation. Its blue circular field and white pictogram conform to the internationally recognised ISO 7010 mandatory-sign format, allowing multinational crews to understand the instruction instantly regardless of spoken language, a key requirement of the IMO’s harmonised shipboard signage system.

Why the Release the Falls Instruction Matters

Releasing the falls at the wrong moment, or in the wrong direction, can result in a boat capsizing, a fouled release hook, or crew injury during launch. A clearly marked, standardised instruction at the release point removes ambiguity for the crew member operating the hook under pressure, supporting a fast and correct sequence during both emergencies and scheduled drills. Consistent signage across sister vessels also reduces the retraining burden when crew transfer between ships.

Compliance and Certification

MS0034 is produced to align with the ISO 7010 graphical symbol standard and supports compliance with the vessel’s Safety Management System under the ISM Code. Lifeboat and rescue boat launching arrangements, including release-gear signage, are addressed within SOLAS Chapter III requirements for life-saving appliances. For the full regulatory text, see the IMO’s SOLAS convention overview. Maintaining this signage in good condition supports a positive outcome at Port State Control and flag-state inspections.

Installation Recommendations

Install MS0034 directly beside the release hook or lowering station, positioned so the crew member operating the mechanism sees it immediately before acting. Mount on a flat, stable surface using marine-grade adhesive or corrosion-resistant fasteners rated for continuous salt-spray exposure. Keep the area clear of coiled falls, blocks, or structural members that could obscure the sign, and confirm visibility under emergency lighting conditions.

• Photoluminescent pictogram charges under ambient light and glows during power loss
• ISO 7010 mandatory-action blue circle format for instant multilingual recognition
• Rigid, UV-stable substrate engineered for continuous marine and weather exposure
• Compact format suited to davit posts, release-hook stations, and boat deck signage runs
• Supports ISM Code safety-management and SOLAS life-saving-appliance documentation

Equip every lifeboat and rescue boat release station aboard your vessel with the MS0034 Release the Falls Sign, and keep launch procedures clear, compliant, and visible when it matters most.

Complete your vessel’s safety signage programme by pairing this sign with our Hazard Signs and Fire Fighting Signs ranges, ensuring full coverage across every shipboard risk area.