Lifeboats, rescue boats and davits

Lifeboats are meant to save lives, but for decades they have also killed the crews who train with them. The UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch found that over ten years, lifeboats and their launching systems cost the lives of 12 professional seafarers, 16% of all lives lost on UK merchant ships, and every one of those accidents happened during a drill or a test. Accidents with the release hooks killed seven of them. Lifeboats are still among the three most frequent detainable deficiencies: in 2025, Tokyo MOU inspectors recorded 152 detainable lifeboat deficiencies, more than for any other item except fixed fire-extinguishing systems and ISM.

This course follows the equipment from the rulebook to the deck. It covers SOLAS Chapter III, the LSA Code and resolution MSC.402(96), which since 1 January 2020 has said exactly who may examine, test, overhaul and repair lifeboats, rescue boats, launching appliances and release gear. You will see how a davit-launched system works, what the crew checks every week and month, what the authorised service provider does every year and every five years, how the hook rule changed release gear across the world fleet, and how to run drills without hurting anyone. The last lesson shows what flag, class and port State control inspectors look for. Rules adopted in 2024 and 2026 that are still coming in are flagged as such.

Every rule statement is cited to the instrument and paragraph, so you can check it against your own flag’s requirements and the manufacturer’s manuals. The manufacturer’s instructions always come first for your particular equipment.

What you will learn

• Find the right rule fast: which parts of SOLAS III, the LSA Code, MSC.402(96) and the IMO guidelines apply, and which are in force or still coming.
• Name the parts of a lifeboat, davit, winch and release gear system and say what can go wrong with each.
• Run and record the weekly and monthly checks, and know what is crew work and what needs a certified technician.
• Plan and witness the annual thorough examination and the five-yearly overhaul and 1.1 load test.
• Judge on-load release hooks against the hook rule, and plan drills for free-fall lifeboats, rescue boats and fast rescue boats that teach without putting people at risk.
• Get ready for flag, class and port State control inspections, knowing the most common deficiencies.