Accidents are frequently caused by poor understanding of lifeboat operations, particularly the release gear systems, and shortfalls in repair and maintenance procedures are also contributing factors. Skuld have developed this booklet for their members to help prevent future lifeboat related accidents. It is meant as a guideline to help develop loss prevention programmes and operation and maintenance manuals.
Skuld Introduction v
1 The Requirement for on-load Release Hooks 1
2 Lifeboat Accidents 2
2.1 20 August 1992 2
2.2 9 August 1994 2
2.3 9 November 1998 3
2.4 1 December 2000 4
2.5 17 October 2001 4
2.6 26 January 2002 5
2.7 7 October 2004 6
2.8 22 May 2006 8
2.9 28 August 2007 8
3 Investigation in to Lifeboat Accidents 9
3.1 Involving Lifeboats and their Launching Systems 9
3.2 MAIB’s Recommendations 10
4 Pressure for Change to Lifeboat Release Hooks 11
4.1 2002 – High number of Accidents with Lifeboats
Discussed at MSC 11
4.2 2006 – Improvement to Manuals Required to Address
Lifeboat Release Gear Concerns 11
4.3 2008 – ‘Survival Craft’ Booklet 12
4.4 2009 – Use of fall Preventer Devices (FPDs) 12
4.5 2009 – Port State Control 13
4.6 February 2010 – Sub-Committee on Ship Design and
Equipment (DE) agrees guidelines to replace unsafe
lifeboat release mechanisms 14
4.7 May 2011 – Evaluating Lifeboat Release Mechanisms 14
5 Common Problems Encountered with Lifeboats
and Launching Systems 16
5.1 Flat to Flat Cam Hooks 16
5.2 Forward Rotating Round Cam with a Self-Locking
Capability 17
5.3 Flat to Flat Cam with Some Self-Locking Capability 18
6 Measures to Prevent Accidents with Lifeboats 20
6.1 Guidelines for Periodic Servicing and Maintenance of
Lifeboats, Launching Appliances and On-Load
Release Gear 23
6.2 Specific Procedures for Maintenance and Servicing 25
6.3 Guidelines on Safety During Abandon Ship Drills
Using Lifeboats 29
6.4 Guidelines for Simulated Launching of Free-Fall
Lifeboats 32
7 Guidelines for the fitting of Fall Preventer Devices 34
7.1 Guidelines for the Fitting and Use of Fall
Preventer Devices (FPDs) 34
8 May 2011: New Regulations Concerning Lifeboat Release
Systems 39
Skuld offers Protection and Indemnity (P&I) for shipowners, liability covers for charterers, defence insurance as well as offshore cover. Additional marine and energy covers are provided through Skuld 1897, a Syndicate at Lloyd’s. www.skuld.com
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