Superseded by MSC.1/Circ.1206

Circular letter MSC/Circ.1049

Accidents with Lifeboats

(adopted on 21 May 2002)

1. The Maritime Safety Committee, at its seventy-fifth session (15 to 24 May 2002), considered the issue of the unacceptably high number of accidents with lifeboats that have been occur­ring over recent years and in which crew we are being injured, sometimes fatally, while participating in lifeboat drills and/or inspections.

2. MSC noted that most accidents fell under the following cate­gories:

.1 failure of on-load release mechanism;

.2 inadvertent operation of on-load release mechanism;

.3 inadequate maintenance of lifeboats, davits and launch­ing equipment;

.4 communications failures;

.5 lack of familiarity with lifeboats, davits, equipment and associated controls;

.6 unsafe practices during lifeboat drills and inspections; and

.7 design faults other than on-load release mechanisms.

3. Pending further consideration of the problem, the MSC wishes to draw the attention of manufacturers, shipowners, crews and classification societies to the personal injury and loss of life that may follow inadequate attention to the design, con­struction, maintenance and operation of lifeboats, davits and as­sociated equipment.

4. Member Governments are invited to:

.1 bring this circular to the attention of their maritime ad­ministrations, relevant industry organizations, manufac­turers, shipowners, crews and classification societies; and

.2 take the necessary action to prevent further accidents with lifeboats pending the development of appropriate IMO guidance;

.3 ensure that:

- on-load release equipment used on ships flying their flag is in full compliance with the requirements of clause 4.4.7.6.2.2 of the LSA Code;

- all appropriate documentation for the maintenance and adjustment of lifeboats, launching appliances and associated equipment is available on board;

- personnel undertaking inspections, maintenance and adjustment of lifeboats, launching appliances and as­sociated equipment are fully trained and familiar with these duties;

- maintenance of lifeboats, launching appliances and associated equipment is carried out in accordance with approved established procedures;

- lifeboat drills are conducted in accordance with SOLAS regulation III/19.3.3 for the purpose of en­suring that ship's personnel will be able to safely em­bark and launch the lifeboats in an emergency;

- the principles of safety and health at work apply to drills as well;

- personnel undertaking maintenance and repairs ac­tivities are qualified preferably by the manufacturer;

- hanging-off pennants should only be used for main­tenance purposes and not during training exercises;

- all tests required for design and approval of LSA are conducted excessively, according to the IMO guide­lines, in order to identify and rectify any design faults at early stage;

- the equipment is easily accessible for inspections and maintenance and lasts in harsh conditions and not only with stand prototype tests; and

- the approving authorities or bodies pay more atten­tion to proper workmanship and state-of-the-art pos­sibilities when assessing equipment for approval; and

.4 encourage shipowners, when undertaking maintenance and repair activities, to employ qualified personnel, preferably certified by the manufacturer.