Defective lifeboat release gear and a proposal to sail with reduced lifeboat capacity
The 18,000 GT ro-ro cargo ship Kestrel Bay, built 2011, carries 22 persons and has two totally enclosed lifeboats, one on each side, each rated for 22 persons, plus a fast rescue boat. During the annual survey you examine the starboard lifeboat. Its on-load release gear was due for the 5-yearly dynamic test 14 months ago; the test was not done because, according to the chief officer, 'the boat was ashore for painting'. The hooks show pitting corrosion, the hydrostatic interlock is stiff and the reset lever does not return freely. One fall wire has four broken wires in one lay and several flattened areas; the other has a broken strand at the thimble. The lifeboat's certificate of test is signed but undated. The company proposes to sail with the starboard boat marked 'not for use', relying on the port boat and the rescue boat, which is carried on a single-arm davit and is certified for 6 persons. The ship is scheduled to load 14 trailers in 6 hours.
1. Assess the condition of the starboard lifeboat and the company's proposal to sail with it marked 'not for use'.
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The starboard lifeboat is not in a condition to be used. The on-load release gear is 14 months past its 5-yearly dynamic test, the hooks are pitted, the hydrostatic interlock is stiff and the reset lever does not return freely. Any of these can cause an accidental release under load. One fall has four broken wires in one lay and flattened areas; the other has a broken strand at the thimble. The undated certificate is not valid evidence of the test.
The proposal to rely on the port boat and the 6-person rescue boat does not meet the requirement for cargo ships to have lifeboats on each side capable of accommodating all 22 persons. The rescue boat is an MOB boat, not a substitute for a lifeboat.
2. What must you examine on the port lifeboat and rescue boat, and what restrictions apply to drills in the starboard boat?
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The port boat must be examined to the same standard, because the defect may be systemic: same design, same maintenance period, same crew. I would check its release gear, hydrostatic interlock, fall wires and test certificate. The rescue boat also needs its own release and davit inspection, but even if it passes it cannot restore the required lifeboat capacity.
No drills involving persons should be carried out in the starboard boat until the release gear is overhauled and the falls renewed. The boat should be secured and tagged, with the davit immobilised if necessary, so it cannot be launched in an emergency by mistake.
3. What action do you take on the annual survey and what do you report?
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I would issue a deficiency for the starboard lifeboat and for the invalid test certificate, and I would not endorse the annual survey as satisfactory. The ship cannot sail with 22 persons unless the flag administration grants a specific short-term deviation, which would still not allow the defective boat to be used, or the boat is repaired and tested.
I would inform the master and the company in writing, notify the flag administration or recognized organization, and record the commercial pressure to load trailers. If the ship sails, I would report the deficiency for PSC action.