SOLAS: Lifeboat safety *Update*

In March 2001 Australia highlighted the high loss of life and injuries to seafarers’ whilst conducting lifeboat drills with on-load release davit launched lifeboats and in June 2013 – at the IMO Maritime Safety Committee (MSC 92) – lifeboat safety remains an issue of concern.

IMO identified the primary problem as a multitude of on-load release hooks, often unrealistically complicated and in many cases unreliable. Control measures continue to be implemented by IMO:

IDENTIFY mechanical faults, correct them, and ensure a robust network of service providers for future reliability.

1 January 2013

SOLAS amendments entered into force requiring on-load release and retrieval systems (OLRRS) to comply with the LSA code.

1 July 2013

Ship operators should have identified the type of OLRRS fitted on board their ships

Manufacturers must have assessed their OLRRS

Future

MSC.1/Circ.1206/Rev.1 MEASURES TO PREVENT ACCIDENTS WITH LIFEBOATS to become mandatory

ELIMINATE the possibility of an accident initiated by human error or faulty equipment.

1 July 2013

Ship operators should ensure that suitable fall prevention devices (FPDs) are fitted

Click here to read the full SOLAS amendments.

Loss Prevention Briefing: Lifeboat Safety

REMINDER

IMO circular MSC.1/Circ.1327 (June 2009) states:

Fall preventer locking pins should not be used for any other purpose and should be fitted to the lifeboat at all times.

Fall preventer strops or slings should not be used for any other purpose and should be fitted to the lifeboat at all times.

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