Developments in Shipboard Survival Craft and Life

Saving AppliancesAbdul KhaliquePrincipal 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) Tot

alFall wire failure 3Hook mechanism failure

4

Launching procedural failure

14

Operator error 17Other launch system failure

12

Unknown 28

Comparison with other accidents*

Deaths

Lifeboat Accidents Total

12

Entering Confined Spaces

12

Fall Overboard 12Fires & Explosions 10* Lang, J. S. (2001) Review of Lifeboat & Launching Systems’ Accidents, MAIB, UK.

Current Practices

On-Load Release Gear

Off-Load Release Gear

WMA’s FPD Survey

Questions Yes No

Q5Are 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

On-Load Release Gear

Off-Load Release Gear

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

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

Future Developments

Options for Lifeboat Release Gear

1.Fail to Safe2.Float Free Capability of

Lifeboats3.Standardisation of Lifeboat

Equipment and Design

Amendments to the LSA Code - Issues

Resistance or lack of supportManufacturing time, approval from administrations, classification societies. Delays in fitting to the shipsTraining 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