Merchant Shipping Notice Xo.: _ 9’1995

73 z& 73 Ab’ 23 $5 HONG KONG MERCHANT SHIPPING NOTICE

LIFEBOAT SAFETY

Oil companies International Marine Forum (OCIMF) recently carried out a survey into disturbingly frequent occurrence of incidents relating to davit launched fire protected totally enclosed lifeboats. The findings have been published in a booklet titled “Results of a Survey into Lifeboat Safety (July 1994)“. The survey found that most of the failures resulted from

(i) equipment failure;

(ii) design fault; and

(ii) lack of proper training and poor seamanship of crew members.

2. The survey further found that equipment failure resulted mainly from inadequate maintenance of brakes, lifting hooks and quick release mechanisms.

3. OCIMF has made many recommendations to improve the situation. Those applicable to ship operators and ship staffare the following:

(a) Review training programs to ensure that all members of the ship staff understand lifeboat launching and recovery procedures.

(b) Regularly inspect and carry out recommended maintenance of the following critical components:

(i) Brakes - inspect for wear and contamination with lubricant. Confim the ability to raise a loaded boat without the need to pin the brake closed.

(ii) Hooks and Release Mechanisms - inspect to see that components are within tolerance and adjusted properly. Ensure that any manufacturer‘s recommended modifications have been properly carried out.

(iii) Boat Lowering Control Wires - inspect to confirm they do not make contact with the boat canopy during lowering, thereby making them ineffective.

(iv) Falls - inspect regularly and turn end for erid or renew at prescribed intervals.

(c) Consider installing a manually operated wire spanning the hooks to prevent the boat from falling if the hook releases inadvertently. This wire should be used only during drills and be capable of being released under load.

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(d) Confirm that the lifeboats can be safely lifted from the water to the disembarkation position with a full complement. This test should be carried out using appropraite weights properly distributed in the boat. The boat must not be manned by any one during this test.

4. You are recommended to obtain a copy of the booklet from OCIMF and disseminate the information to all superintendents and floating staff in your Company.

Oil Companies International Marine Forum 15/F, 96 Victoria Street, London SWlE 5IW England Tel. No. 0171-828 7696 Fax. 0171-245 2921

Marine Department Shipping Division 10 April 1995