141 and life jackets according to the type of ship. The International Life-Saving Appliance (LSA) Code gives specific technical requirements for life-saving appliances and is mandatory under Regulation 34. This states that all lifesaving appliances and arrangements shall comply with the applicable requirements of the LSA Code. SOLAS regulation III/19.3.3.3 mandates each lifeboat to be launched at least once every three months during an ‘abandon ship’ drill and manoeuvred in the water by its assigned operating crew. However, the regulation does not require that crew to be onboard when the lifeboat is launched. This is because many of the lifeboat fatalities have occurred during launch of the lifeboats, often due to problems with the hooks. In 2009, the IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee agreed that the assigned operating crew should not be obligated to be onboard lifeboats during launching, unless the master, within the authority conferred to him/her by paragraph 5.5 of the International Safety Management Code, considers it necessary, taking into account all safety aspects. InterManager and other shipping industry groups have raised awareness of this amendment among flag state inspectors. Work to improve lifeboat safety continues. In May 2024, the IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee adopted amendments to the LSA Code in relation to lifeboat single fall and hook systems and the lowering speed of survival craft and rescue boats. These amendments are expected to enter into force on 1 January 2026 and will apply both to passenger vessels and merchant ships. InterManager will continue to take a leading role on this issue, ensuring that lifeboats do indeed save lives as intended. Captain Kuba Szymanski is secretary general of InterManager “ Can lifeboats, an essential item of life-saving equipment onboard ships, really be inherently dangerous?” Types of ships involved in lifeboat accidents Source: InterManager 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 43 Bulker Cruise Cargo Container Oil tanker Supply /OSV Naval Not known LPG RIG Ro-ro 60 31 24 36 9 23 17 8 24 3
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