SECTION 4 - Marine Accident Investigation Branch

Securing and control of the bowsing tackle ropes was managed by the lifeboat crew
and preparation teams from on board the lifeboats. Once sufficient tension was
applied to hold the lifeboat alongside deck 9, the rope was secured in figure-of-eight
turns around the bitts welded to the block hooked to the boat’s lifting plate link. The
bitts were 50mm high from their base to the underside of the cap, and the distance
between the inner faces was 80mm. The bitts’ dimensions are shown in Figures 16
and 17.
Figure 16: Height of bitts
27