Pacmonarch - October 2000

While launching the lifeboat,and at about 15 m above the sea, the after hook separated from the after suspension ring of the falls. Suspended from the forward hook, the lifeboat swung almost vertical, at which point the forward hook opened. Completely free, the lifeboat fell stern first into the sea. Three of the four people in the lifeboat were fatally injured.

The TSB of Canada investigation found that when the davits swung out as the lifeboat was lowered, the end of the after gripe probably fouled and seized around its bollard. Temporarily "hung up" on the after gripe, the lifeboat then took a bow-down attitude of about 40º, and the after suspension ring moved toward the hook opening. When the gripe freed itself and the load returned to the after falls, the loading most likely caused the after suspension ring to overcome the resistance of the retaining latch and to slip out of the hook. Following the accidental separation of the after hook, the forward reset lever moved unimpeded into the open position because of the increased momentum and load applied at the forward hook when the lifeboat swung about it. The forward suspension ring was thereby released.

Download TSB Canada investigation report (450Kb):

Pacmonarch - Oct 2000