16% of lives lost by merchant mariners happen during training exercises
The UK P&I Club has issuedBodily Injury News – Summer 2014 edition including an article to investigate why the figure of lives lost by merchant mariners during drills is so tragically high. About 16% of lives are lost from training exercises supervised by qualified and experienced seafarers. In the article, Linda Wright recommends measures to reduce it.
Lessons learned from the prior incidents can be summarized as follows:
The entire crew should be capable of operating the lifeboat systems, easily understanding the mechanics andprocedures even with minimum training or experience.
Communication between the crew during drills must be clear, with confirmed completion of each step throughout the exercise.
When the design of the lifeboat launch system and its components are complicated, Members should consistently train on the operation,repair and maintenance of the entire lifeboat system.
If necessary, require that the manufacturer supply easily understood instructions and diagrams to explain the proper operation OR create a common operating procedure safety manual independent of the manufacturer instructions.
The only remedy for human error is continuous training and adequate risk assessment procedures. The most effective training for the seafarers is for them to know why something is done a particular way, to better understand the procedures – not just remember them.
As a result their understanding gives the crew members more confidence in the systems. Training should specifically address the launching of lifeboats. Drills must be reliable and safe with minimum risk to those participating.
The IMO amended SOLAS in2006 and 2008 to address conditions under which lifeboat drills are conducted, introduce changes to the maintenance and inspection requirements, and drills without requiring crew members to be onboard the boat.
Find and read the article rearding the Injuries and fatalities during training exercises in the latest issue on Bodily Injury News (summer 2014) published by the UK P& I Club