Lifeboat Safety

An incident recently occurred during an in port drill where a lifeboat fell into the water. Unfortunately out of the eight persons on board the lifeboat five were fatally injured and three hospitalised as a result of injuries received. The cause of the incident is under investigation but initial reports are referring to the possible failure of the wire falls. Members are referred to the Standard Safety Special Edition – Lifeboats (see attached bulletin) and the best practices contained therein, specific Flag State regulations, Solas, IMO Circular MSC.1/Circ 1206/Rev.1, IMO Resolution MSC.216(82) and The Bahamas Maritime Authority Bulletin No 100 “wires for lifeboat falls and appliance-launched liferafts”.