Circular Letter
MSC/Circ.1115

PREVENTION OF ACCIDENTS IN HIGH FREE-FALL LAUNCHING OF LIFEBOATS

(25 May 2004)

 

1. The Maritime Safety Committee, at its seventy-eighth session (12 to 21 May 2004), considered several reports of injuries sustained by seafarers during free-fall launches of free-fall lifeboats from heights greater than 20 metres.

 

2. The Committee endorsed the proposal of the Sub-Committee on Ship Design and Equipment to add a relevant item to its short-term work plan for measures to prevent accidents with lifeboats, to consider the need for improvements to the requirements for design and configuration of free-fall lifeboat seating and launch arrangements to protect the occupants from harmful acceleration forces, particularly with regard to free-fall launch heights greater than 20 metres.

 

3. The Committee, recognizing the ongoing work of the Sub-Committee on Ship Design and Equipment to address this issue, agreed that in enforcing the provisions of SOLAS regulation III/19.3.3.4 with regard to free-fall lifeboats being launched from heights greater than 20 metres, Administrations may accept launching by falls in lieu of free-fall launching, provided that a simulated free-fall launch is conducted at least every six months.

 

4. Member Governments are invited to bring this circular to the attention of their Administrations and all parties concerned.

 

5. This circular remains in effect for two years from the date of this circular unless revoked earlier.