Gard Academy Conference on Lifeboat Hooks 18 October 2007 IMO s work on measures to prevent accidents with lifeboats by Heike Hoppe Maritime Safety Division, IMO 1
MSC 71 (1999) Australia raised problem of serious accidents during lifeboat maintenance, inspection and drills (MSC 71/20/7) quick release systems can present substantial hazard in the event of accidental release during routine operations where launching is not intended number of accidents is growing 2
DE 44 (2001) Majority of accidents: failure or maloperation of on-load release gear Many: poor maintenance or maladjustment of equipment, not complying with existing provisions Severity and increasing frequency of accidents: causes to be addressed as a matter of urgency Asks MSC 74 for new work programme item Measures to prevent accidents with lifeboats 3
SOLAS provisions International Life-Saving Appliance (LSA) Code, mandatory under SOLAS (regulation III/3.10) Chapter IV Survival craft 4.4 General requirements for lifeboats 4.4.7 Lifeboat fittings 4
LSA Code provisions (entry into force : 1 July 2008) Paragraph 4.4.7.6 release mechanisms: 1. all hooks released simultaneously 2. off-load and on-load release 3. resetting of hook 4. visibility from inside the lifeboat 5
LSA Code provisions Paragraph 4.4.7.6 continued: 5. operating instructions, colour coding 6. release control marked in colour 7. means for hanging-off 8. structural connections: safety factor 6 9. single fall and hook system 6
MSC/Circ.1049 (2002) Categories of accidents: Failure of on-load gear Inadvertent operation of on-load gear Inadequate maintenance Communication failures Lack of familiarity Unsafe practices Design faults other than on-load 7
MSC/Circ.1049 Invites IMO members to: Bring circular to attention of interested parties Take action to prevent further accidents Ensure compliance with existing requirements Ensure personnel is qualified 8
MSC/Circ.1093 (2003) Guidelines on periodic servicing and maintenance of lifeboats, launching appliances and on-load release gear Responsibility, authorization, qualification levels, reports and records Appendix: specific procedures for maintenance and servicing of lifeboats, release gear, davits and winches 9
Amendments to SOLAS regulation III/19 (entry into force : 1 July 2006) III/19 Emergency training and drills 3.3 Abandon ship drill Lifeboat to be launched without operating crew on board 10
Amendments to SOLAS regulation III/20 (entry into force : 1 July 2006) III/20 Operational readiness, maintenance and inspections Maintenance according to Circ.1093 Weekly inspections Periodic servicing of launching appliances and on-load release gear 11
MSC/Circ.1115 (2004) FF lifeboats launched from heights greater than 20 m (SOLAS reg III/19.3.3.4): Administrations may accept launching by falls in lieu of free-fall launching, provided that a simulated free-fall launch is conducted at least every six months. 12
MSC/Circ.1136 (2004) Guidance on safety during abandon ship drills using lifeboats Drill frequency Safety of drills Emphasis on learning Planning and organizing drills Guidance to the ship owner Lifeboats lowered by falls Free-fall lifeboats 13
MSC/Circ.1137 (2004) Guidelines for simulated launching of free-fall lifeboats basic outline of essential steps to safely carry out simulated launching training crew in FF release procedure and in verifying satisfactory function of FF release system without allowing the lifeboat to fall into the sea typical simulated launch sequence 14
Amendments to SOLAS regulation III/19.3.3.4 (entry into force : 1 July 2008) free-fall launching at least once every three months during an abandon ship drill without actual release FF launch with only operating crew, or lowered into the water by secondary means of launching with or without operating crew every six month full or simulated launch in accordance with Circ.1206 15
MSC/Circ.1205 (2006) Guidelines for developing operation and maintenance manuals for lifeboat systems including launching appliances Objective: user-friendly, easy to understand manuals Collaboration of manufacturers Examples, drawings, symbols included 16
MSC/Circ.1206 (2006) Consolidates previous lifeboat circulars (1049, 1093, 1136, 1137) Annex 1: Guidelines for periodic servicing and maintenance of lifeboats, launching appliances and on-load release gear Annex 2: Guidelines on safety during abandon ship drills using lifeboats 17
MSC/Circ.1206 - Key points Paragraph 10: Certification of servicing personnel should be issued by the manufacturer in accordance with an established system for training and authorization Paragraph 12: All other inspections, servicing and repair should be conducted by the manufacturer s representative or a person appropriately trained and certified by the manufacturer 18
Making 1206 mandatory MSC discussed relevant proposals MSC 82 noted practical difficulties related to training and certification of servicing personnel by manufacturers and geographical coverage of manufacturers representation Asks DE Sub-Committee to further consider 19
DE 50 (2007) Implementation of Circ.1206 consistent application and global coverage of lifeboat servicing essential guidance for qualification and certification of personnel to be developed framework of circular to be maintained annex 1 to become mandatory in 2010 ILAMA to report to DE 51 on progress in establishing worldwide servicing coverage 20
DE 50 (2007) LSA Code amendments to address design flaws of on-load release hooks and phasing-out of existing hooks interim solutions (wire cutters, safety strops) to be used with on-load release arrangements during lifeboat drills development of international standard hook ILAMA project on-load release systems 21
LSA Working Group at DE 50 LSA Code amendments to be further considered by CG (specific sub-chapter for lifeboat release gear) phasing-out of existing on-load release hooks not supported, i.e. new requirements for new ships only interim solutions (wire cutters, safety strops) not supported 22
LSA Correspondence Group Amendments to LSA Code and Recommendation on testing of LSA (resolution MSC.81(70)) Guidance for qualification and certification of personnel or organizations carrying out servicing and maintenance of lifeboats, launching appliances and on-load release gear 23
Thank you. 24