“LITTLE” PROGRESS ON LIFEBOAT HOOK SAFETY

[proud_ionian]

source: MGN

THE International Chamber of Shipping says that little progress was made on a key factor in in current concerns over lifeboat safety the meeting of the IMO Design and Equipment Sub-Committee which met in Bonn, Germany in late February.

On the agenda was the prevention of accidents from life boats, which took account of input from the ICS-led Industry Lifeboat Group. ICS notes that although the IMO meeting recognised the importance of addressing the safety of On Load release gear – a matter identified as a priority by the Industry Lifeboat Group – little progress on this issue was made at the meeting.

ICS does point movement on other lifeboat-related issues saying: “Pleasingly, IMO agreed with industry arguments about the need for organisations other than manufacturers to be permitted to service lifeboats provided that they meet new recommendations concerning the authorisation of service providers. The meeting also addressed the use of immersion suits in totally enclosed lifeboats and technical issues such as the assumed weight criteria for persons in rescue and life boats.”