This launching appliance has been designed, built and tested in full compliance with the requirements of Regulations 4 and 34, Chapter III of International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, as Amended, Part 1 and Part 2 of MSC. 81(70) Revised Recommendation on Testing of Life-saving Appliance, as amended by MSC.226(82), MSC. 427(98) and MSC.472(101), and Chapter I and VI of MSC. 48(66) International Life-saving Appliance Code, as Amended by MSC. 218(82) and MSC. 425(98). In case of emergency, the free-fall lifeboat can be quickly lowered and released by this launching appliance. The appliance can also be used to lower and recover the free-fall lifeboat by means of an auxiliary lowering and releasing device.