200950 Unsafe modification to lifeboat davit

During rough weather it was noticed that there was some movement of the lifeboat davit. The ship staff, without consulting the management, welded an eyepad on to the lifeboat davit arm, aligning it with a hole on the fixed access platform. A pin was passed through these holes to secure the life boat davit.
The danger of such an arrangement is that any deformation of the pin will prevent the quick removal of the pin in an emergency.

Results of investigation

1. This modification was not reported to the company. There was a failure in company's SMS reporting procedures.
2. Change management procedures in the company SMS were found to be inadequate.
3. No evidence of risk assessment for such modification recorded on board.
4. Despite the fall wires being fully tightened when the lifeboat was stowed, the weight of the boat was not adequately transferred to the suspension links on the davit arms, and the harbour pin could not be engaged.

Item no. 4 above seems to suggest an incorrect length of fall wire(s), possible obstruction to the free movement of davit arm(s) or improper rigging of gripes: Editor

 

 

Corrective actions

1. The unsafe securing arrangement was immediately removed.
2. This incident was conveyed to all vessels in the fleet.
3. The company's reporting procedures to be included in the SMS familiarisation and pre-joining briefing for masters and officers.
4. The management of change procedures in SMS to be amended to define levels of authority for carrying out maintenance on, repair of, modification to, or approving change in operational status of critical equipment, including safety systems and appliances.