Furthermore, the American P&I Club recommends asking the following questions to assess how well you know your lifeboat:
- Do you know YOUR lifeboat? - Have you thoroughly reviewed the operating manual for your lifeboat? - Does your lifeboat have lashing or maintenance cables that require removal?
- Are there davit safety pins that are required to be pulled out to allow your davit-launched lifeboat to be lowered?
- Are there release hook safety pins that require removal on your davit- launched lifeboat?
- Is there a release hook safety pin that is required to be removed before your freefall lifeboat can be launched?
- Where is the battery charging cable connection to your lifeboat and how do you disconnect it?
- Should you put on your lifejacket before entering your davit-launched lifeboat? Your freefall lifeboat?
- Does your lifeboat have a drain hole that needs to have the plug inserted before launching?
- Does your freefall lifeboat have a safety pin in the release lever that is required to be removed?
- Where is the remote-control wire for lowering your davit-launched lifeboat from inside the lifeboat?
- On your davit-launched lifeboat, do you know how to operate the release hooks in both the offload mode (best in good sea conditions) and the onload mode (can be best in rough seas)?
- Should you use a painter on your davit-launched lifeboat? Your freefall lifeboat?
- Do you know where the painter release is located inside your lifeboat? - Should you start your lifeboat’s engine before launching or after?
- Where is the emergency release located in your davit-launched lifeboat in case the primary release mechanism doesn’t work?
- Is there a bypass valve that needs to be closed or opened to enable your freefall lifeboat to launch?
- If your freefall lifeboat has a pump release, how many pumps before the lifeboat falls (or, how many pumps before you should be concerned if the release will actually work)?
- If the release doesn’t work on your freefall lifeboat, what is the emergency procedure?
- Do you know where the food, water, extra safety equipment, and first aid kit are stored in your lifeboat?
- When doing maintenance on your lifeboat, what safety pins and lashing should NOT be removed?
- Do the inspections on your lifeboat include the launching components or do they primarily focus on food, water, and safety gear in your lifeboat?
- After successfully launching your lifeboat in a real emergency, do you thank: a) the lifeboat manufacturer; b) the people who trained you to properly launch your lifeboat; c) the people who did all the periodic maintenance and safety inspections on the lifeboat; or d) All of the above?
- Have you checked the lifeboat boarding ladder? - Is the rope free from rot, especially near the securing thimble? - Is the anchor canvas in good condition?
In conclusion
Lifeboat safety and reliability require thorough familiarity with the lifeboat and its systems, the rigorous application of training, and strict adherence to maintenance procedures. Mariners should be ever-prepared to deploy their specific lifeboats and confident that these critical safety devices will perform flawlessly in emergencies. Prioritizing lifeboat training, safety and maintenance based on the specific lifeboat onboard enhances safety at sea and instills confidence to those who might face life-threatening situations. NEVER assume your lifeboat is identical to lifeboats you have seen on prior vessels. Take the time to carefully read the operating manual and ensure you are familiar with every aspect of the lifeboat installed on your vessel because, when you’ve seen one lifeboat, you’ve only seen one lifeboat.
Download the American P&I Club guidance at
https://bit.ly/3LmgIGO.
THE REPORT | SEP 2024 | ISSUE 109 | 135
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