Standard lever hoists are not rated for underwater or immersion service. Offshore and subsea operations - platform maintenance, underwater structural work, ROV-assisted lifting, and intervention on subsea infrastructure - call for a hoist produced and certified for that environment. The William Hackett SS-L5 QP is that hoist.

Holloway Houston stocks the SS-L5 QP in a working load limit range from 0.8 tons to 15 tons. The unit is certified for 21-day single immersions and 31-day multi-immersion subsea service. Every external surface and internal component - brake mechanism, load chain, pawl springs, hooks, fixings - is produced and finished for immersion exposure. The Quad Pawl (QP) system provides finer load increment control than standard two-pawl designs. Marine paint finish is ISO 12944 Category C5-H-rated AkzoNobel Interpon Redox Triplex, rated for 15 to 25 years of corrosion protection (C5-H classification, 15–25 year service life band, per ISO 12944:2018).

Subsea Lever Hoists for Offshore and Underwater Lifting

A lever hoist uses a ratchet-and-pawl mechanism operated by a short lever - forward and reverse strokes control raising and lowering. The mechanism is enclosed in a housing designed to seal and protect internal components against the operational environment.

In standard industrial service, the housing and internal components are designed for above-water use. In subsea and offshore marine environments, water ingress, salt exposure, and immersion pressure act on every component: springs, pawls, brake discs, chain guides, and fasteners. A standard hoist has no protection against sustained immersion and is not certified for it.

The William Hackett SS-L5 QP is designed and tested specifically for this environment. Internal components are protected. The chain and hooks are treated for corrosion resistance. Proof testing follows the immersion certification protocol - units rated at or below 10 tons are tested at 1.5 times the WLL; the 15-ton unit is tested at 1.25 times the WLL. The hoist is certified against BS EN 13157, ASME B30.21, and NORSOK R-002, and complies with IMCA subsea guidance and BP project specifications.

SS-L5 QP Technical Features

Quad Pawl (QP) Mechanism

The standard lever hoist uses two pawls engaging the load wheel ratchet - one for lifting, one for holding. The SS-L5 QP uses four pawls. More pawls mean more engagement points at any given ratchet position, which reduces the angular increment between engagement positions. The result is finer load control during positioning and a shorter freewheel arc between pawl engagement positions. This precision matters in subsea operations where positioning accuracy and predictability are part of the work requirement.

Dual Anti-Lock Brake System (DABS)

The Dual Anti-Lock Brake System allows the chain to be adjusted - slacked or tensioned - without locking the brake. This is a safety and productivity feature for subsea rigging where chain adjustment under tension is part of the operation. Standard brake designs can lock during chain adjustment, creating resistance that complicates the maneuver.

Corrosion Protection - Internal Components

The brake mechanism, load chain, pawl springs, and fixings are produced and finished for immersion exposure. Stainless steel components are used for important internal parts including pawl springs and fixings. This internal protection addresses the failure mode that standard hoists cannot manage - corrosion of the mechanism itself after immersion.

Marine Paint - Exterior

The exterior finish uses a three-layer AkzoNobel Interpon Redox Triplex system rated ISO 12944 Category C5-H. C5 is the highest ISO 12944 corrosion category - it covers marine and offshore industrial environments. The rated protection period is 15 to 25 years (C5-H classification, 15-25 year service life band, per ISO 12944:2018).

Immersion Certification

The SS-L5 QP is certified for 21-day single immersions and 31-day multi-immersion subsea service. This certification distinguishes it from standard lever hoists - which have no immersion rating - and is the basis for offshore and subsea procurement specifications that require documented immersion capability.

Adjustable Travelling End Stop

The load chain incorporates an adjustable end stop that provides precise control of chain travel during load positioning. This is particularly useful in subsea operations where chain length management affects load positioning accuracy without visual confirmation at depth.

Find Your Subsea Hoist

The SS-L5 QP is available in multiple WLL configurations. For offshore procurement packages requiring full certification documentation, quantity pricing, or delivery coordination, call Holloway Houston direct.

SS-L5 QP by Working Load Limit

The William Hackett SS-L5 QP subsea lever hoist is available in a WLL range from 0.8 tons to 15 tons:

WLL Range

• 0.8 ton - Compact subsea lever hoist for light subsea connection and rigging work
• 1.6 ton - Standard light-duty subsea model
• 3.2 ton - Mid-range capacity covering the majority of general subsea lifting tasks
• 6.3 ton - Higher capacity for heavier subsea rigging
• 10 ton - Proof tested at 1.5x WLL
• 15 ton - Largest available subsea model; proof tested at 1.25x WLL

Proof Testing Protocol

• WLL <= 10 tons: Proof load = 1.5x WLL
• WLL 15 tons: Proof load = 1.25x WLL

Certification Package per Unit

• Factory proof test certificate
• BS EN 13157 compliance
• ASME B30.21 compliance
• NORSOK R-002 compliance
• IMCA subsea guidance compliance
• BP project specification compliance (on applicable models)
• ISO 12944 C5 exterior coating documentation

Brands We Carry

Holloway Houston is an authorized distributor for William Hackett in the subsea hoist category.

William Hackett has been manufacturing lifting equipment in the United Kingdom since the company's founding. The SS-L5 QP represents their development for the offshore and subsea market - a hoist that goes through formal immersion certification rather than relying on standard industrial ratings.

The hoist design incorporates the Quad Pawl mechanism as a proprietary engineering feature. The certification stack - ASME B30.21, BS EN 13157, NORSOK R-002, IMCA compliance, BP project specifications - addresses the documentation requirements of the offshore operators and certifying authorities who specify subsea lifting equipment.

Every SS-L5 QP shipped by Holloway Houston includes the complete William Hackett certification documentation package.

Shop by Product Type

• William Hackett SS-L5 QP Subsea Lever Hoist - 0.8 ton
• William Hackett SS-L5 QP Subsea Lever Hoist - 1.6 ton
• William Hackett SS-L5 QP Subsea Lever Hoist - 3.2 ton
• William Hackett SS-L5 QP Subsea Lever Hoist - 6.3 ton
• William Hackett SS-L5 QP Subsea Lever Hoist - 10 ton
• William Hackett SS-L5 QP Subsea Lever Hoist - 15 ton

Subsea Hoist Applications by Industry

• Offshore Oil and Gas - Maintenance and rigging operations on production platforms and FPSOs where work occurs near or below the waterline. The SS-L5 QP's immersion certification and NORSOK R-002 compliance align with the documentation requirements of major offshore operators.
• Subsea Work - Structural work, pile driving support, and connection work at depth where lifting equipment is routinely submerged for the duration of the operation.
• Subsea Inspection and Repair - Inspection, maintenance, and repair of pipelines, risers, umbilicals, and other subsea infrastructure where hoists are used to position and secure equipment.
• Marine and Port - Dockside and underwater lifting in ports, shipyards, and marine-industry environments where regular exposure to saltwater and immersion is part of normal service.
• Defense and Naval - Subsea and marine defense operations requiring certified lifting equipment with full documentation packages.
• Renewable Energy - Offshore wind installation and maintenance work where subsea hardware is regularly deployed in tidal and submerged environments.
• Saturation Diving Operations - Saturation diving systems require lifting equipment that functions and retains its ratings after extended underwater deployment.

Why Holloway Houston for Subsea Hoists

Holloway Houston is an authorized distributor for William Hackett, stocking the SS-L5 QP subsea lever hoist in Houston, Texas. The offshore and subsea market runs on documentation - proof test certificates, immersion certifications, standard compliance records, and traceability. William Hackett provides the full certification package with every SS-L5 QP, and Holloway Houston passes that documentation to the customer with each order.

For offshore procurement teams, that means no chasing the manufacturer for certificates after the order arrives. For rigging coordinators building an equipment package for a subsea job, it means the documentation is already assembled.

Holloway Houston has been in the rigging and lifting business for over 65 years and operates from Houston - the center of the Gulf of Mexico offshore supply chain. Our rigging specialists understand offshore procurement documentation requirements and can assist with certification review, lead time planning, and multi-unit orders. Holloway Houston's rigging inspection services are available for hoists in service.

Selection Considerations for Subsea Hoist

The SS-L5 QP is the right starting point for any application requiring a lever hoist in offshore or underwater service. The key selection variables are capacity and lift height.

Working Load Limit: The WLL covers the intended load in service. The SS-L5 QP line runs from 0.8 tons to 15 tons. The WLL selected for service typically meets or exceeds the maximum planned load in the application. Manufacturer documentation addresses any de-rating applicable to specific configurations.

Lift Height: Chain length determines how far the load can travel. Standard configurations are available in multiple lift heights. For applications requiring extended chain, consult Holloway Houston.

Certification Requirements: The certification stack is matched to the project specification. The SS-L5 QP ships with ASME B30.21, BS EN 13157, NORSOK R-002, and IMCA compliance documentation. For projects with BP or other operator-specific specifications, model compatibility is typically verified before ordering.

Quantity and Lead Time: Offshore procurement often involves multiple units at planned intervals. Holloway Houston can discuss stocking arrangements and lead times for volume orders.

Subsea Hoist Safety and Awareness

Subsea lever hoists operate in environments where corrosion, pressure, and immersion exposure affect equipment performance over time. ASME B30.21 governs lever hoists including periodic inspection requirements. NORSOK R-002 sets additional requirements for offshore lifting equipment. The following awareness points apply:

• The SS-L5 QP is rated for specific immersion periods. Operations exceeding the certified immersion duration or depth without re-inspection and re-certification may affect the hoist's rated performance. Manufacturer documentation provides inspection intervals after immersion service.
• The load chain, hooks, and external fittings are inspected before each use. Corrosion, elongation, or deformation of chain links are removal criteria consistent with ASME B30.21.
• The Quad Pawl mechanism is a precision component. If the ratchet engagement feels irregular - unusual clicks, inconsistent engagement, or slippage - the hoist warrants inspection before further use.
• Proof test certificates and certification documentation travel with every unit. These documents are typically required by offshore operators and certifying authorities for equipment placed in service. Regular maintenance of these records for the service life of the hoist is standard practice.
• The Dual Anti-Lock Brake System allows chain adjustment under load. Operating the hoist outside its rated WLL or in configurations not covered by the manufacturer's documentation is outside the scope of the hoist's rating.

Complete Your Rigging System

• Lever Chain Hoists - AMH LA-Series and William Hackett WH-L4 lever hoists for above-water service.
• Chain Hoists - Browse the full chain hoist category including manual hand chain models.
• Rigging Shackles - Offshore-grade shackles for subsea and marine connections.
• Coupling Links and Master Links - Chain sling components for subsea and offshore rigging assemblies.

DISCLAIMER

Subsea lever hoists are load-bearing lifting devices designed for offshore and underwater service. Proper selection, inspection, and use call for training consistent with ASME B30.21 (Lever Hoists), NORSOK R-002, and applicable OSHA standards. The information on this page is provided for general product awareness and does not replace qualified engineering judgment, manufacturer documentation, or site-specific lift planning.