SECTION 4 - Marine Accident Investigation Branch

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The lifeboat crew/preparation teams then climbed onto, as appropriate, the tenders
coach roof or, in the case of the open lifeboats, the stem and stern compartment
roofs, and fitted bowsing tackles to secure the boat alongside deck 9. After the
painter was connected and hull drain plugs confirmed to be fitted, the lifeboat
preparation leaders instructed the fore and aft bowsing tackles be fitted. Once the
bowsing tackles were tensioned and secured, the tricing pennants were released 5 .
The boat was then considered ready to embark passengers, who boarded through
the embarkation gates fitted to the guardrails of deck 9.
Once all passengers and crew were confirmed on board, the bowsing tackles were
released slowly to prevent the lifeboat from swinging against the ship’s hull. Once
fully released, the boat was suspended vertically from the davit falls. The lifeboat
could then be lowered to the water and the engine started. Once the lifeboat was
fully waterborne, the “on load” release hook hydrostatic interlock would close and
the coxswain could then release the hooks using the release lever adjacent to his
control position. After the painter was released, the coxswain was able to steer the
boat away from the ship.
Schematics illustrating the operation are at Figures 12 and 13.
1.10 MUSTER/EMERGENCY PLAN LIFEBOAT-RELATED RESPONSIBILITIES
1.10.1 General
The muster/emergency plan laid out individual responsibilities, in the form of
an Instruction No, for those involved in lifeboat operations. These were: lifeboat
preparation leader (the bosun and assistant bosun); lifeboat preparation deck (12
deck ABs); lifeboat preparation (18 hotel staff); and, lifeboat crew (18 hotel staff).
1.10.2 Responsibilities as laid out in the muster/emergency plan
Instruction No 7 - lifeboat preparation leader – stated:
“Take charge of the preparation of all lifeboats, including removal of gripes,
lowering boat to embarkation, preparing embarkation ladders. Ensure each boat
is manned with appropriate crew. Report to Operational Command when all
boats are at embarkation level. Standby to lower each boat when ordered”.
Instruction No 8 - lifeboat preparation deck – stated:
“Muster on your allocated side of the Boat Deck and report to the Bosun/
Second Bosun. Follow their orders to un-rig lifeboats and lower each boat
to embarkation. Once at embarkation proceed to your allocated lifeboat and
continue preparing it for operation.”
Instruction No 9 - lifeboat preparation – stated:
“If ordered prepare and rig lifeboat boarding ladder. Once lifeboats are lowered
to embarkation level, assist boat crew with preparing lifeboat for launching.
Assist Boat Crew with rigging bowsing tackles. Attach boat painter line to ship.
5 During drills, the falls were tensioned to take the weight of the lifeboat before the tricing pennants were
released. This procedure reduced the risk of shock loading the falls.