Safety alert: Fast rescue boat launching appliance ‘wave compensator’ devices. Applicabilty: All owners and operators of new and existing ships. IMO Resolution MSC.218(82) introduced requirements for new fast rescue boat launching appliances, which entered into force on July 1, 2008. One of the new requirements was that fast rescue boat launching appliances be fitted with a ‘wave compensator’ device. These are automatic high-speed tensioning devices which prevent the davit wire from going slack when launching fast rescue boats in adverse sea state conditions.