200823 Accidental lifeboat release

During the annual inspection of lifeboats, both craft were launched into the water. On that occasion, a qualified manufacturer's technician had inspected the release mechanisms. Two weeks later, the monthly abandon drill exercise was executed. It was a practice to lower the boats without any persons during monthly exercises. The starboard lifeboat was lowered first and secured without incident. Shortly afterwards, the port lifeboat was lowered. After the davit had reached its outboard position, the forward hook of this lifeboat released accidentally causing the lifeboat to hang only on the after-fall.

Fortunately there was no personal injury, but the lifeboat hull, aft suspension fittings and the aft davit arm were damaged.

Root cause/contributory factors
It is likely that the forward hook and locking cam were not engaged correctly when the lifeboat was recovered after launch during the last annual inspection;
Before the latest launch, the crew failed to confirm the correct engagement of hook and locking cam;
Poor system design with no indication device at or near the lifting hook;
Difficulty in verifying cam position from inspection window at release handle position;
Insufficient training of crew in operating and resetting release mechanisms;
Inadequate warning / instruction inside and outside lifeboat on proper launch and recovery procedures;
False sense of security after recent annual inspection by maker's technician;
Crew not referring to critical instructions in maker's manual and to recent USCG Safety alert on this subject.

Corrective and preventive actions
Verify release mechanism of other lifeboat was in correct position;
Notify release system manufacturer for inadequate due diligence during yearly inspection
Conduct accident investigation;
Order for new lifeboat, davit arm and improved design of release system;
Affix warning instructions inside and outside lifeboat on proper engagement and verification procedure of release mechanism;
Implement effective training on new release system, supplemented by maker's video programme;
Update procedures, maintenance instructions and complement these with adequate checklists to incorporate critical check;
Communicate lessons learned from accident.