Developments in Shipboard Survival Craft and Life Saving

Developments in Shipboard Survival Craft and Life Saving Appliances Abdul Khalique Principal Lecturer Maritime and Offshore Safety Joughin, R. W. Deputy Director & Head of Maritime Training Gunter, J. Senior Lecturer Maritime and Offshore Safety

Developments?

Lifeboat Drill

Lifeboats Accidents Jan 94 - Dec 09 (Source: MAIB) Total Fall wire failure Hook mechanism failure Launching procedural failure Operator error Other launch system failure Unknown 3 4 14 17 12 28

Comparison with other accidents* Deaths Lifeboat Accidents Total 12 Entering Confined 12 Spaces Fall Overboard 12 Fires & Explosions 10 * Lang, J. S. (2001) Review of Lifeboat & Launching Systems’ Accidents, MAIB, UK.

Current Practices Off-Load Release Gear On-Load Release Gear Unsafe Hooks Simulated Drills FPDs

WMA’s FPD Survey Q 5 Questions Yes No Are FPDs fitted to your Lifeboats/Davits? 37% 58% FPD Issues • Not all manufacturers incorporate a pin arrangement • Retrofitting not possible • The release gear including the FPDs to be serviced by the original manufacturer, who a) may have ceased operations; b) may not have authorised agents in all parts of the world; .

Current Practices Off-Load Release Gear On-Load Release Gear Unsafe Hooks Simulated Drills FPDs XXL Lifeboats or Tender Boats

New Passenger Ship Legislation • Prescriptive rules with a goal-setting regime that emphasised the use of ‘safety cases’ • SAFEDOR Project – Enhance Safety through ‘innovation’ • Oasis of the Seas – built on ‘Risk Based Design’ - it would have required 44 lifeboats with 150 person capacity • Titanic

Future Developments Norsafe’s ‘Rescube’ - Capacity up to 300 persons

Options for Lifeboat Release Gear 1. Fail to Safe 2. Float Free Capability of Lifeboats 3. Standardisation of Lifeboat Equipment and Design

Amendments to the LSA Code Issues Resistance or lack of support Manufacturing time, approval from administrations, classification societies. Delays in fitting to the ships Training providers

Conclusions 1. Means to reduce/eliminate accidents; 2. Develop new technology that will possibly replace lifeboats; 3. Persuade industry to achieve commonality in LSA; 4. Devise a set of unambiguous ‘standards’; 5. Improve the safety culture within the seafaring community.

Thank you! Questions