This raises an important question within the maritime industry: why do fire drills or enclosed space drills rarely result in casualties, while lifeboat drills and ship abandonment exercises consistently reveal safety issues? The answer largely lies in the nature of the operation itself. Launching a lifeboat from a height of more than 10 meters, whether the ship is at slow speed or at anchor, is inherently challenging.
Safe operation depends on several critical factors:
- Proper use and condition of the equipment. - Competence and training of the crew. - Weather conditions and the overall status of the ship.
IMO regulatory updates for enhanced safety
The Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) has taken several steps to enhance lifeboat safety and reduce accidents during drills and operations:
- At its 96th session in May 2016, the MSC adopted amendments to SOLAS regulations III/3 and III/20 through resolution MSC.404(96). These amendments made it mandatory to carry out maintenance, thorough examination, operational testing, overhaul, and repair of lifeboats, rescue boats, launching appliances, and release gear.
- Earlier, at its 82nd session (29 November – 8 December 2006), the MSC amended SOLAS regulation III/19.3.3.4 concerning the launch of free-fall lifeboats during abandon-ship drills. The amendment allows lifeboats to be:
- Free-fall launched with only the required operating crew on board, or
- Lowered into the water using secondary launching equipment without the operating crew on board, and then manoeuvred in the water by the crew.
The following list highlights key considerations for the safe operation of lifeboats and related equipment:
- All lifeboats and associated systems must be certified in accordance with applicable regulations and properly installed on board.
- Both the managing company and the company responsible for inspections must ensure that lifeboats and systems are inspected at the required intervals.
- Tests and dynamic inspections should be conducted in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Fall preventers (where applicable) must be used. - Comprehensive training covering all aspects of lifeboat operation and associated systems should be provided on board regularly.
- Maintenance of lifeboats and related systems should be treated as a critical priority.
- A detailed risk assessment must be conducted before the use of lifeboats or any supporting machinery.
- Records of all use, training, maintenance, and inspections of lifeboats and associated systems must be maintained in accordance with the Safety Management System (SMS).
Comprehensive risk assessment is essential before any lifeboat operation. The IMO provides guidance and documentation for the inspection, maintenance, and operational use of lifeboats and related equipment.
Shipping companies must ensure that crews are equipped with fully operational and well-maintained lifeboats and receive the necessary training to perform lifeboat operations safely.
The purpose of this amendment is to prevent accidents during abandon-ship drills, and it entered into force on 1 July 2008.
- Additionally, on 1 July 2006, amendments to SOLAS Chapter III – Life-saving appliances and arrangements, adopted in May 2004, came into effect. These amendments were introduced following work by the Sub-Committee on Ship Design and Equipment (DE) to address the high number of accidents involving lifeboats. Many crew members had been injured or even killed during lifeboat drills and inspections, and these changes were designed to improve safety and prevent such incidents.
Best Practices
THE REPORT | MAR 2026 | ISSUE 115 | 145
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