200602 Lifeboat drill injuries

Two seamen were in danger of losing their lives, another two sustained grievous injuries, while another received slight injuries in the course of lowering a lifeboat during a port state control inspection. The lifeboat came loose at one end, resulting in the men falling from a height on to the quay below.
The incident took place at around midday when the port state control officers asked for the lifeboat to be made ready for inspection. Suddenly, the falls snapped and the seamen fell. Sources said one of the sailors fell first on to the ground and then into the water. People who were working close to the vessel jumped into the sea to save him.
The crew had just successfully carried out a lifeboat drill in the presence of port state control officers with the port side lifeboat, in which they had lowered the boat in the sea and operated its engine. They were later asked to prepare the starboard side lifeboat for lowering over the quay, which is when the accident took place, apparently caused by a defect in the lifeboat release mechanism.
Police and paramedic crews quickly arrived to secure the scene and to give first aid. Four of the seamen were rushed to hospital by ambulance where they were found to have sustained serious injuries. 'Two of them were said to be in a critical condition. Members of the Civil Protection Department were also called to the scene to assist in the rescue.