The Container Ship Safety Forum (CSSF) has called for the complete reinvention of lifeboats for cargo vessels to reduce the high number of injuries and deaths of crew while launching boats.
The industry association believes that lifeboats need to be completely redesigned as a marine tool to improve crew safety after many seafarers have been injured or killed while launching lifeboats during evacuations and drills over the years.
The association said the cause of the accidents was not because the boats themselves were non-compliant with international safety standards but simply due to the dangerous nature of launching them.
According to a 2017 report issued by the UK Chamber of Shipping, 60 fatalities were recorded during the testing of lifeboats over a 10-year period. The report proposes the use of simulation training tools to improve safety during launches.
A UK P&I Club report in 2013 also highlighted a slew of similar incidents, many related to the launching of boats during drills. A sixth of all seafarers killed were injured in incidents directly related to lifeboats and their launching systems.
“Everyone knows we have a problem. Seafarers are scared to launch lifeboats, however no one has offered a plausible path towards a solution to the problem for cargo vessels. A change is needed to provide a safe environment for seafarers and to regain trust in lifesaving equipment,” said CSSF chairman, Aslak Ross.
The association says there is too much attention to compliance and training and insufficient focus on the root cause of the problem – the design of the equipment, which is too complicated and is outdated compared with other segments of the maritime industry that have ramped up safety systems.
“Simulation and use of new technology is one way to conduct drills in a safer environment, and we support the intent to reduce the risk of accidents, however it does not solve the core of the problem,” Ross said.
“Launching a lifeboat is too dangerous. And even though simulation has its advantages, it should only be used as a supplement to well-conducted onboard abandon-ship drills where crews are familiarised with the ship-specific equipment.”
The CSSF has suggested that alternative designs already available for offshore installations and cruise ship evacuations should be considered.
