Life Boat Inspection: Simple Ways To Check Your Life Boats

In recent years the Maritime Industry has suffered an excessively high number of accidents with lifeboats in which crew were injured, sometimes fatally died, whilst participating in lifeboat inspections. Despite updated training and new designs of boats, hooks, and davits. Part of the problem is the number of designs of hooks and lifeboats in service, estimated at more than 70, and it is essential that the crew are familiar with and skills of operating the equipment fitted on the ship.

The majority of lifeboat accidents can be prevented, and a reminder of the basic principles of maintenance and operation will serve to highlight the key issues. The problem is not the competence of the crew or the design of the lifesaving equipment, but often a lack of knowledge about the equipment, a failure to follow procedures, or a lack of proper maintenance. The shipping community recognizes that there is a problem, and new regulations have been enacted in an attempt to address this. Port state control, flag state and classification society inspectors, among others, will regularly verify the condition and operations of lifeboats, but ultimately, the responsibility for the safe operation of any lifesaving equipment lies with you, the user. Lifeboats are designed to save your life.

Learn how to safely use the lifesaving equipment on your ship and do not become another statistic.

It has been noted that most accidents fall under the following categories: Failure of on-load release mechanism, Design faults other than on-load release mechanisms, Inadequate maintenance of lifeboats, davits and launching equipment, Lack of familiarity with lifeboats, davits, equipment and associated controls, Communication failures, Unsafe practices during lifeboat drills and inspections, and Inadvertent operation of on-load release mechanism.

Here are some measures to prevent accidents with life boats:

·         establish a uniform, safe and documented performance of periodic servicing and maintenance of lifeboats, launching appliances and on-load release gear.

·         Condition of lifeboat structure including fixed and loose equipment;

·         Engine and propulsion system;

·         Sprinkler system, where fitted;

·         Air supply system, where fitted;

·         Maneuvering system;

·          Power supply system; and

·         Bailing system.

The setting and maintenance of release gear are critical operations with regard to maintaining the safe operation of the lifeboat and the safety of personnel in the lifeboat. All inspection and maintenance operations on this equipment should therefore be carried out with the utmost care.

No maintenance or adjustment of the release gear should be undertaken while the hooks are under load.

Hanging-off pennants may be used for this purpose but should not remain connected at other times, such as when the lifeboat is normally stowed and during training exercises. The crew needs to be assured that the structure is safe when loaded by hanging off pennants.

The release gear is to be examined prior to its operational test. The release gear is to be re-examined after its operational test and the dynamic winch brake test.Special consideration should be given to ensure that no damage has occurred during the winch brake test, especially to the hook closure and its fastening.