What happened?

It is important to conduct drills to ensure the crew on board are prepared and able to deal with real-life situations in a appropriate manner. It is possible to learn the correct way to use life-saving appliances by reading instruction folders and manuals. However, by using practice drills, the crew is able to test the appliances and gain experience.

Occasionally, the Norwegian Maritime Authority receives reports of incidents related to crew injuries suffered during drills. This can be related to the launching of rescue boats or liferafts or demonstration of dry-shod evacuation.

We have received a report of an incident where several of the participating crew members were injured badly enough to be granted sick leave. Later, it was discovered that the evacuation chute they used was not correctly attached to the liferaft they were evacuating to.

In retrospect, the shipping company has evaluated the drill, and the supplier of the life-saving appliances has investigated possible causes for the incident.

In order to share their lessons learned, we expect the shipping company to provide internal training for these life-saving appliances Moreover, we expect the supplier of these appliances to share these experiences with other shipping companies.

Causes

The evacuation chute was not properly attached to the liferaft, which caused the incident described above. The incorrect attachment tightened the chute, forming a different angle than what was intended. As a result, the evacuating members of the crew had a descending speed down the chute which was faster than usual, and they arrived another part of the liferaft than intended.

Generally speaking, we see that there may be different causal connections related to drills where different types of life-saving appliances are used.

These include the lack of knowledge and checking of the appliances for use during the drills, lack of training and skills, missing procedures, poor communication, far too advanced life-saving systems or defect and deficient appliances.

Consequences

It is always important to take time to plan ahead of a drill, making sure that all information has been provided and is understood. The drill must be stopped if a dangerous situation is detected. Make sure to report any defective or deficient life-saving appliances.

Drills should help people gain knowledge and experience, not cause injuries.

Evacuation operations may be experienced differently. No man or vessel is the same, and weather conditions and currents may affect the evacuation drill. All hazards and situations must be assessed before the drill starts, and everyone must have a conscious attitude towards the focus areas of the drill.

A thorough review of the appliances and the procedure ahead could have a preventive effect on injuries and make sure the drill is carried out safely and securely. Installation errors, for instance, can be detected by a thorough examination of the appliances to make sure they are properly installed prior to the drill.

Drills carried out on board should be as realistic as possible, yet of no danger to the persons participating. Training tools such as photos, videos, online courses, etc. should be used for the part involving launching and evacuation that cannot be carried out during the drills. The drills must take into account the normal function, alternative function and emergency procedures.

Excerpts from the requirements:

SOLAS III/19:
2.1 Every crew member with assigned emergency duties shall be familiar with these duties before the voyage begins.

3.1 Drills shall, as far as practicable, be conducted as if there were an actual emergency.

3.4.8 If a ship is fitted with marine evacuation systems, drills shall include exercising of the procedures required for the deployment of such a system up to the point immediately preceding actual deployment of the system. This aspect of drills should be augmented by regular instruction using the on-board training aids required by regulation 35.4. Additionally every system party member shall, as far as practicable, be further trained by participation in a full deployment of a similar system into water, either on board a ship or ashore, at intervals of not longer than 2 years, but in no case longer than 3 years. This training can be associated with the deployments required by regulation 20.8.2.

SOLAS III/35:

4 Every ship fitted with a marine evacuation system shall be provided with on-board training aids in the use of the system.

The Ship Safety and Security Act:
The company is responsible for the ship being so operated and maintained that it provides for satisfactory safety concerning life and health (Ship Safety and Security Act, section 11) and thereby responsible for carrying out drills in a safe manner.

References:

  • Act of 16 February 2007 No. 9 relating to ship safety and security (Ship Safety and Security Act), sections 9 to 11
  • SOLAS chapter III, Life-saving appliances and arrangements
  • The STCW Convention & Code 2010
  • Resolution MSC. 81(70), Recommendation on testing of life-saving appliances
  • Regulations of 5 September 2014 No. 1191 on Safety management system for Norwegian ships and mobile offshore Part A Chapter units 8.
  • Regulations of 16 December 2016 No. 1770 on safety management for small cargo ships, passenger ships and fishing vessels, etc. Section 7