2011X29 Rescue Boat Launch and Recovery

Rescue Boat Launch and Recovery

UK MAIB Safety Bulletin

AN IMPORTANTSAFETY BULLETIN ON LAUNCHING AND RECOVERY OF RESCUE BOATS

This bulletin, promulgated by the UK MAIB, contains a safety recommendation on the launching and recovery of rescue boats. It has been produced for marine safety purposes only on the basis of information available to date.

Features of the rescue boat's off-load suspension hooks, and the on-load release for its painter, have given the inspector cause to be concerned that they could be used inappropriately. Although the causes of this accident have yet to be fully established, these concerns are identified in this Bulletin to alert owners, masters and crews to a potential hazard.

BACKGROUND

A three-man rescue boat crew from the Portsmouth-based passenger vessel Pride of Bilbao was completing a man over board exercise in port. The boat was being recovered by its davits and was being hoisted. Shortly before it reached the stowed position, it fell some 25 metres into the water. One man managed to jump on to the ship; the two others fell into the water and were injured. The precise cause of the accident is still being investigated, but the initial findings show that the forward lifting ring was capable of being attached to the painter release hook rather than the lifting hook. No matter whether this happened during this accident, there is a risk that such a connection can be made. Not only were the two hooks very close together, but the size of the painter hook was compatible with the lifting rings. It was therefore possible for the lifting rings to be placed under the painter release hook which was not intended to support the boat's weight.

SAFETY RECOMMENDATIONS

All owners and masters are recommended to:

Check whether boat lifting rings are able to fit the painter release hooks. If the painter release hooks can be closed with the lifting rings fitted, then immediate precautions and procedures should be taken to prevent this connection being made.
Crew members should be given full training in such procedures which should be practised at drills.