AMSA Surveyors Entering Lifeboats
Marine Notice 9/2008
The maritime industry is well aware of the number of incidents occurring world wide regarding lifeboat release arrangements. At PSC inspections in Australia, there have been 30 ships detained in 2007 for defective lifeboat release arrangements (see http://www.amsa.gov.au/Shipping_Safety/Port_State_Control/Ship_Detention/). This trend appears to be continuing into 2008.
Predominately, the detentions relate to defective maintenance of the equipment. This equipment is often designed in such a way that clearances and the proper maintenance to these lifeboats is absolutely critical.
AMSA has instructed it's surveyors that they should not rely solely on the boat harbour pins and gripes as being sufficient for an AMSA surveyor to enter a lifeboat, unless it can be demonstrated to the AMSA surveyor that lifeboat release arrangements are correctly set. If unable to be demonstrated, additional restraints will be required to be fitted.
The AMSA surveyor will discuss this with the master early in a PSC or FSC inspection to avoid unnecessary delays. It is the master's responsibility to determine the supplementary restraint arrangement, NOT the AMSA surveyor's; however, the AMSA surveyor must be satisfied with the method used.
This requirement is for entry into the lifeboat when fully housed ONLY. The arrangement is to be removed immediately upon completion of the lifeboat inspection and under NO circumstances is the lifeboat to be swung out with the supplementary restraint fitted.
This requirement is a control mechanism AMSA has implemented to reduce the AMSA surveyor's exposure to risk.
AMSA notes the amount of work being undertaken at the IMO in regard to measures to prevent accidents with lifeboats and will continue to actively participate in the process of improving the level of safety onboard in general and specifically toward lifeboat arrangements.
Graham Peachey
Chief Executive Officer
17 March 2008
Australian Maritime Safety Authority
GPO Box 2181
CANBERRA ACT 2601
File No: 038128
Internet address for all current Marine Notices: www.amsa.gov.au