Tag: life-saving equipment

MSC1/ Circular 1392 Circular 1392 regarding lifeboat hooks recently issued by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) including circulars emanating from the 89th Session of the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC)MSC 89 approved the Guidelines for evaluation and replacement of lifeboat release and retrieval systems as per SOLAS regulation III/1.5, following the recommendations made by the Sub-Committee on Ship Design and Equipment, at its fifty-fifth session, and the Ad Hoc Working Group on Lifeboat Release Hooks Member Governments are invited to use the annexed Guidelines when applying SOLAS regulation III/1.5, as adopted by resolution MSC.317(89), and to bring them to the attention of all parties concerned Member Governments, shipowners and manufacturers of lifeboat release and retrievalsystems are also strongly urged, pending the entry into force of SOLAS regulation III/1.5, to use the annexed Guidelines to evaluate existing lifeboat release and retrieval systems at the earliest available opportunity Member Governments are strongly urged to ensure that all ships fitted with on-loadrelease systems for lifeboats, are equipped with fall preventer devices as per paragraph 6 of these Guidelines at the earliest available opportunityYou can view the MSC1/Circular 1392 by clicking here.Source: IMO

First Aid Medical Kits of Lifeboats and Liferafts Greek Government has notified of lifeboat and liferaft pharmacies for vessels flying the Greek flag by "First Aid Medical Kits of Lifeboats and Liferafts" (4339.27/03/10) as follows.This ClassNK Technical Information supersedes existing Technical Information No. TEC-0672 dated 28 September 2006.(1) The medical and sanitary materials that are contained in the pharmacies of the lifeboats and liferafts of the ships, have to be approved by the National Medical Organization according to Document from National Medical Organization 34311/02-06-2005 and YEN/DEEP/DEPT. EY letter with ref. no. 1426/98/23/-09/1998.(2) In case the vessel is outside Greece during the expiry date of the medicines of the lifeboats or liferafts and the supply of new medical material from Greece, is not possible, so that they can comply with Paragraph 1, or the vessel has new liferafts from abroad. It is accepted that the medical material is approved by their country. That medical material has to be replaced immediately as soon as possible with others that comply with Paragraph 1.Source: ClassNK

Mariners have lost confidence in using lifeboats in training drills Lifeboat hook failures have caused death and injury to seafarers for too long now and mariners have lost confidence in using lifeboats in training drills.The Industry Lifeboat Group (ILG) in which The Nautical Institute is an active participant, was set up to address the concerns of the maritime industry on the issue of lifeboat safety; identify features of existing survival craft and associated systems for which remedial measures are required; and to provide clear recommendations to IMO.

Marine Notice by The Republic of Marshall Islands The purpose of this Notice is to provide an outline of essential procedural steps to safely carry out simulated launching drills of free-fall style lifeboats.These steps are general in nature, and the lifeboat manufacturers instructions should always be followed before conducting simulated launching.To view more, click hereSource: Republic of the Marshall Islands

Marine Safety Advisory No.62-11 The United Kingdom Maritime Accident Investigations Branch has issued the attached safety bulletin addressing safety concerns identified during an investigation into the failure of a proximity switch on a rescue boat davit.The Maritime Administrator notes that the failure of a proximity switch, or limit switch, on davits or other lifting equipment has the potential for similar consequences.It is recommended that owners and operators of Marshall Islands flagged vessels review their maintenance and testing procedures for davits and lifting equipment to ensure that proximity and limit switches are tested and, as appropriate, replaced on a regular basis.To view more, click here.Source: Republic of the Marshall Islands

A milestone has been reached Readers will remember from previous articles that INTERTANKO is a member of the Industry Lifeboat Group (ILG), which was instrumental in the creation of the "Proposed Guidelines for the Evaluation and Replacement of Lifeboat Release and Retrieval Systems".At this week's meetings of the IMO's Maritime Safety Committee (MSC 89), the Committee:- approved the draft MSC circular on Guidelines for Evaluation and Replacement of Lifeboat Release and Retrieval Systems;- adopted the modified amendments to SOLAS regulation III/1;- approved the draft MSC circular on early application of new SOLAS regulation III/1.5;- adopted the modified amendments to the LSA Code and decided on their application date;- adopted the draft MSC resolution on amendments to the Revised recommendation on testing of life-saving appliances (resolution MSC.81 (70)), as amended.INTERTANKO voiced its support for the proposed Guidelines in Plenary. However, like other members of the ILG and many Member States, INTERTANKO was of the opinion that it would be premature to close-out the lifeboat release hook topic in its entirety. The ILG has identified several elements which have not been addressed in the proposed Guidelines:- Vibration;- Secondary safety systems.The ILG recognises that vibration can potentially be a major factor in the ...

86 maritime deaths between 2007 and 2010 86 maritime deaths between 2007 and 2010 may have been avoided if those involved had worn a lifejacket or buoyancy aid.This is the latest finding of an expert panel which has been analysing maritime accidents since 2007.Recently the panel, consisting of members from the MCA, RNLI, RYA, MAIB1, lifejacket industry and Portsmouth University, looked at the 35 maritime deaths in 2010 where lifejacket wear may have been appropriate. They agreed that in 21 of those incidents a life might have been saved if a lifejacket or buoyancy aid had been worn.Commercial fishermen, anglers and leisure sailors are at the top of the list of people who might have been saved had they been wearing a lifejacket. This year the panel also discussed a significant number of kayaking incidents.Roly McKie for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency says:I hope that this information will help to encourage more sea users to wear a lifejacket or buoyancy aid. The figures show that lifejackets save lives, perhaps due to the campaigning that the MCA, RNLI, and the RYA have undertaken. As a result of this review, we are encouraging more commercial fishermen and other groups to wear personal ...

Outline of essential procedural steps The Marshall Islands Administration has issued a Marine Notice concerning Simulated Launching Procedures for Free-Fall Lifeboats.To view tha Marine Notice please click hereSource: Republic of the Marshall Islands