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A seaman from the Antigua and Barbuda flag cargo ship Waddens was seriously injured when a lifeboat fell about 6 metres while being recovered from the water in Cairns Harbour on 14 February 1999.
The probable cause of the lifeboats fall was accidental movement of the lever on the release mechanism, according to a report issued today by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB). The report found that the hoisting hooks had opened, releasing the boat after an exercise in the harbour.
The incident is one of many accidents involving lifeboats with on-load release gear falling while being recovered. On-load release equipment permits a lifeboat to be released when there is weight on the hooks connecting the boat to the fore and aft falls.
While the actual sequence of events was not determined, the report states it was probable that the lever for the release mechanism was in the correct position while the boat was being hoisted, but was unsecured.
According to the report, the most likely explanation for the accident is that a crewmember dislodged the lever while he was stowing a rope in the boat.
The report identifies poor ergonomic design in the siting of the lever, adjacent to the engine controls, a common factor in similar lifeboat accidents. The report addresses issues of maintenance of the release mechanism and the fact that records of such maintenance did not exist.
Australia has raised the issue of the safety of on-load release mechanisms for lifeboats at IMO and the ATSB is submitting a paper, at the request of the Flag State implementation Sub-Committee, correlating similar accidents from a number of countries.
Copies of the report can be obtained from the ATSB, PO Box 967, Civic Square, ACT 2608, telephone: 02 6274 6088. The report may be downloaded from the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) web site.
Media Contact: Brett Bayly (Director, Public Affairs): (02) 6274 7522
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