Will we ever learn? (again):
Question: Why was a LIFEBOAT used to perform work on a nearby fixed platform?
(Or was the work to be performed on the FSO, calling it “platform”?)
PS: Confused reporting about maritime and offshore industry subjects are not uncommon in mainstream media. (Expected better from Splash 24/7)
Sepat Field:
Update: Slightly different wording by SCMP:
Will we ever learn?
I don’t know about this incident but every single lifeboat near miss or lifeboat questionable operation that I have experienced all had 1 thing in common. A Master or Chief Mate with some type of personality/mental disorder. For years I worked with a very good Master who would question every crew member involved if they felt comfortable going down in the lifeboat before launching. He was present for every lifeboat launching JSA & begged his crew to raise their hands if they seen any dangers with the launching. All my near misses & questionable launches were with Masters & Chief Mates who didn’t give a f*ck while trying to prove something or haze the crew. Get rid of those types of Masters & Chief Mates and lifeboat fatalities would be a rare thing IMO.
The question that should be asked is; “what is safest, freefall or davit launched lifeboats?” That is; both during drills and launching in actual emergency situations.
Although freefall lifeboats have been around since the 1980s it is hard to find accurate comparative figures, but there appears to be consensus that freefall lifeboats are far superior for the latter, actually abandoning ship in an emergency.:
The nearest to statistics I found in a simple google search was this:
One thing is for sure, freefall beats davit launched boat in real emergencies.
Droping overboard liferafts and climbing down a ladder to reach them is last resort IMHO.
PS: I have only done one training session with freefall lifeboat; back in 1989 in Maasvlakte, Rotterdam. (Not very high drop relative to what is required for North Sea offshore rigs and platforms today)
I think there is a statistic someplace that more sailors have died in lifeboat drills than have been saved by them.
Mr.Bugge
None of the system will work -davit launched or free fall unles the Master or Chief Mate in charge with some type of personality/mental disorder problem is solved according to some mini engineering experts . They know better and see better through their prejudiced lenses.
Bottom line : frequent training and intensive familiarisation with equipment , plastic or other models of release mechanisms should be provided so the workings of the system can be explained in detail by all ranks and of course maintenance ,checking and manufacturers service and inspections. All this is needed because in an emergency there is no time for thinking and debates with some mentally disturbed induviduals .
Agree that free fall so far is the best and safest due to it simplicity.
Yes, simplicity and that the lifeboat move rapidly away from the sinking ship in rough seas, or any burning oil on the water incase of fire.
Here is a demonstration of the launching procedure of large freefall lifeboats in use on oil & gas installation in the North Sea:
The questions are:
Answers to the questions can probably be found here:
PS: More up to date information:
https://www.marinepublic.com/blogs/training/316783-all-solas-2026-free-fall-lifeboat-requirements
I’m sorry to say that you are badly misled by this often quoted statistic that is patently wrong. There have been FAR more lives saved by lifeboats than sadly lost through drills.
One assumes there will be a full investigation as to the root causes(s) of this accident. In the meantime hypothisising as to the root cause(s) serves no useful purpose. Full facts need to be established, published and then acted upon without delay.
Spot on Sir
As per Nautinst there is a participating crew otherwise launching an empty boat may present a retrieval problem .
I think a rescue boat will have to be launched to retrieve . To much fuss in IMHO.
Launching without free fall is allowed i think per SOLAS or some MSC wording ( every three months or sth) while launching with free fall and participating crew every 6 months but I am not sure. Note however that Flag or SMS may not necessarily , but may require more frequent training.
What i have experienced and noticed in some other maritime forums, that the worst fear mongerers regarding life drills are members from engine department and those who never participated in the launch.
What is sad as they are the ones who could contribute a lot explaining to crew basis their engineering knowledge the workings of the system and important points regarding maintenance and readiness of such a crucial life saving system.
What they do instead is shout a lot, quoting some fear mongering statistics mostly heard on the grapevine and through gossip, which are mostly the results of human errors, lack of proper maintenance or familiarity with the system.
But there is a way around it. True leaders lead by example 
& transfer temporarily command to C/M and jump into drivers seat and crew follows, with the net result, they will ask you when is the next launch and you can then show fear mongerers the middle finger and do some administrative work to make sure you will not meet them during the next assignment.
Does that count passenger evacuations, for example near shore accidents like Costa Concordia where lifeboats were used but other craft were available?
What time period is being used?
It makes sense that vessels would avoid lowering with crew aboard if it is in fact a “often quoted statistic”. Does it take into account the fact that ships might be in compliance on paper only?
" Does it take into account the fact that ships might be in compliance on paper only? "
LIKE EL FARO with open boats in 2012 ?
Tell me pls what would happen to my ship if I come to US with two open boats in 2012 during USCG PSC " random " inspection. ?
Would i get a clean bill of health or be detained untill SOLAS regs were complied with 100%
Flag and local Class can do miracless for some .Does it not ?
Magic word " exemption " is for some too.
---------------
After a collision caused a major fire on March 10, 2025, the 23 crew members of the Stena Immaculate successfully evacuated into a freefall lifeboat
the crew of the cargo ship Solong evacuated using lifeboats following a collision with the tanker Stena Immaculate in the North Sea. All but one of the 14 crew members from the Solong successfully evacuated to lifeboats, along with the 23 crew members from the tanker
14+23= 37.
How many died during drills with free fall lifeboat in the last two years?
What was the list of Concordia?
No, and no.
Years ago the manufacturers came out with a simulated launch device. Basically it clamps to the davit and the boat and allows you to “launch” the boat by releasing the hook, but the boat only travels 6" or so on a hydraulic ram. Pump the ram back up, reset the hook, and test complete.
Lowering the boat to the water does not count as a freefall launch. We would lower it down to touch the water and then retrieve, and run the engine in the davit. Test complete.
Not directly related to the lifeboat accident, but still:
“Tell me pls what would happen to my ship if I come to US with two open boats in 2012 during USCG PSC " random " inspection. ?”
I believe nothing would happen. From 2012 to my retirement at the end of 2023 almost every ship I was in had old and open lifeboats.
OH no no no . Mr.new3m
May be above was/is true in your local maritime admin area .
In other areas which still exist and will exist , years ago was in this link here :
Not so long ago was SOLAS Ch. 3 reg 19 item 3.4.4
For those very busy google search is recommended with key words " what are the current solas regulations regarding enclosed life boat drills"
And only a while ago :
Highly significant updates enforced by the May 2025 SOLAS Amendment targeted at protecting crew welfare and preventing training accidents were introduced as follows:
The primary change in the current framework is the removal of the mandatory requirement for cargo ships of 20,000 Gross Tonnage (GT) and above to conduct live physical free-fall launches during routine drills.
Therefore regarding above limit 20 K GT and above :
The May 2025 “Simulation” Rules recognizing that live physical free-fall drops carry an unacceptably high risk of crew injury, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) permits extensive alternative training:
Approved Simulation Alternatives:
For eligible cargo ships, physical free-fall impacts can be completely substituted during standard drills using virtual reality (VR), interactive computer-based training modules, or manufacturer-approved physical simulation rigs.
Live Drops Still Required: A physical live free-fall launch remains strictly mandatory during the initial shipyard installation, commissioning, or after major structural overhauls.
What is to be LAMENTED.
The Nautinst link is addressed largerly to world wide environment and is not targetting the so called " exclusion zones or exemption zones " referred to colloquially as LaLa lands of expemptions where 50+ year old craft is doing fine under local regulations of local Administration .
How many OSV ,ATBs or other simmilar craft have you got above 20 K GT mark in your J.A. zone may I ask???
Hence the "not so long rules " mentioned above i am afraid still apply to < 20 GT craft
Correct. Freefall lifeboat launching can be simulated very effectively. Furthermore, it can’t ever be acceptable that if the Master calls for a drill, crewmen/women take a step back and don’t want to participate rather than be eager to participate. Everyone in this industry needs to recall that very often, a lifeboat is the very last option crew have to save their lives. Far better to get fully familiar with them as opposed to not participating in drills and then regretting it if needing to abandon and not knowing what do to do. Muscle memory can be truly defining in such situations.
Well of course, there’s “Lies, damn lies and then there’s statistics” and so anyone can make comments that ‘seem’ to be correct but when drilling down in to the detail are not. I am aware of one lifeboat company that has documented and verifiable records of more than 50 years where the lifeboats they manufacture have saved the lives of more than 2200 crew. I’m sure that this figure will exceed any statistical figues of fatalities with lifeboats not accounting for the many manufactures there are of lifeboats and associated equipment. I would acknowledge that just one person dying is way too many and that is why industry and regulators have worked so hard or so long in improving the situations as far as is possible noting that the job is never really done.
Now for the history of enclosed lifeboats.
It goes back to 1904, when Capt. Ole Brude sailed this “egg” from his hometown of Ålesund, Norway to St.John’s and eventually to USA:
Source: Scientist of the Day - Ole Brude, Brude Egg Life Boat
PS: Brude-egget can be seen outdoors. In the main building at the museum you can experience a bit of the sailing feeling in a simulator model.
Source: Aalesunds Museum | Utstilling – Maritim Historie
