SECTION 4 - Marine Accident Investigation Branch

1.8.3 United kingdom instructions
The COSWP is carried on board all Saga fleet vessels. In this case, Sections – 10.2
– 10.4.9 of Chapter 10 – Emergency Procedures are relevant as they include advice
on musters and the conduct of lifeboat-related drills. A copy of the sections of the
reference is at Annex B.
MSN 1676(M) – The Merchant Shipping (Life-Saving Appliances for Ships Other
Than Ships of Classes III to VI(A)) Regulations 1999 complement the SOLAS
requirements.
MSN 1803(M) – LIFEBOATS – Measures to Prevent Accidents transposes the IMO’s
26 May 2006, Maritime Safety Committee Circular MSC.1/Circ.1206/Revision 1 –
Measures to Prevent Accidents with Lifeboats.
MCA’s Instructions to Surveyors - MSIS 14 – Survey of Life-Saving Appliances:
Volume I provides comprehensive technical information on all aspects of lifeboats. It
is the only document identified by MAIB that specifies bowsing tackle requirements.
A copy of Section 18.3.5 – Bowsing and Tricing Arrangements and Appendix 0 and
Annex 1 – Cordage for Lifesaving Appliances is at Annex C.
1.8.4 Company instructions
The company STO produced the mv Saga Sapphire LSA Training Manual and
Survival Techniques publication which was available to the ship’s officers and crew.
Chapter 8 provided guidance on lifeboat matters. A copy of Sections 8.2 – Lifeboat
Davits and 8.3 – Launching the Lifeboats is at Annex D.
1.9 TENDERS, OPEN LIFEBOATS, AND RESCUE BOATS
1.9.1 Responsibility
The ship’s SO was responsible to the master for the maintenance of all life-saving
appliances, including those relating to the tenders, open lifeboats and rescue boats.
To assist in this role, the two second officers were responsible for routine checks
and for making the SO aware of defects so that these could be rectified as soon
as possible and that any spares required were promptly ordered. While the 8-12
watchkeeping second officer was the nominated Boats Officer, during the refit the
master nominated the fourth officer, who at the time was a supernumerary officer, to
assist with lifeboat work.
1.9.2 General description
Saga Sapphire was equipped with four, 11.5m enclosed tenders/lifeboats 2 (Figure
9), designated Nos 3, 4, 5 and 6 lifeboats 3 . Nos 4, 5 and 6 lifeboats were built by
Robert Hatecke GmbH based in Drochtersen, Germany. Although of the same
dimensions as the other tenders, No 3 tender was built by Fritz Fassmer GmbH, also
of Germany, but to a Robert Hatecke GmbH design. However, it was of a slightly
different construction and was heavier than the others. In addition to their life-saving
2 On 8 June 2012, Nos 3 and 4 tenders were replaced with two Type PEL 9.7, 150 persons (but currently
certified for 130 persons), partially enclosed lifeboats manufactured by Ernst Hatecke GmbH of Germany.
3 Nos 1 and 2 lifeboats were removed during the refit but it was decided to retain the original identification
numbering for the remaining 10 boats.
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