Tag: lifeboats

Abandon ship is the top challenging situation a mariner could face in his or her career. The risky task is, not only to launch the lifeboat and complete safe embarkation, but also to safely navigate this lifeboat in the high seas until rescued.

Transport Malta's MSIU issued an investigation report on the inadvertent release of the Free Fall Lifeboat (FFLB) and subsequent injuries to the chief officer onboard the tanker Giovanni DP, in March 2019. The investigation revealed that the crew were not fully aware of the correct procedure for testing the release of the hook.

IMO’s SSE 7 took place in London on 2-6 March 2020. Highlights included agreement of draft new requirements for onboard lifting appliances, and on draft new interim guidelines for safe operation of shore power, as well as progressed work on ventilation of survival craft and on fire safety of ro-ro passenger ships.

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) issued an investigation report on a lifeboat release hook failure during a drill on the passenger ferry 'Northern Ranger' in October 2017, which led to minor injuries. The failure was linked to poor compliance with SOLAS and operator's manual. 

Following the rough weather conditions of the Storm Ciara in the UK and Ireland, Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) crewmembers faced strong winds during their rescue operation upon a fishing boat that was stranded without power, on Sunday 9 February in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Bureau Veritas focuses on SOLAS Chapter III amendments, which will be applied on January 1, 2020, including requirements for maintenance, thorough examination, operational testing, overhaul and repair of lifeboats and rescue boats, launching appliances and release gear.

St.Vincent and the Grenadines Maritime Administration informs that from January 1, 2020, the examination, operational testing, repair and overhaul of the lifeboats has to be in line with SOLAS regulation III/20 by service providers authorized in accordance with section 7 of MSC.402(96). 

IMCA launched a safety flash that focused on two incidents relating to life-raft accidents, as during the release of the life boats, they fell into the sea. The first incident was caused because of an inexperienced second mate, whereas the second one, was caused by a technical matter. 

The Eighth District Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection (OCMI) of the Outer Continental Shelf issued a safety bulletin, 'Lifeboat operations on manned facilities', in order to alert offshore operators about an accident that took place on a floating offshore facility. 

On May 1, 2019, the US Coast Guard concluded a year-long concentrated inspection campaign (CIC), focused on open lifeboats throughout the US commercial fleet as directed in the Commandant’s Final Action Memo on the 2015 sinking of the S.S. El Faro.  US Coast Guard Marine Inspectors identified 68 deficiencies on 35 open lifeboats.