Gulser Ana - Oct 2001

During inspection after maintenance on the lifeboat hooks, the forward hook released suddenly and without warning. The forward end of the boat dropped, leaving it suspended vertically from the aft fall. Three crew members were thrown into the water.

During a Port State Control inspection, the starboard lifeboat was found not to be operationally ready. The accident to the starboard lifeboat occurred the following day while ships’ staff were working on it. The accident occurred when the forward hook inadvertently disengaged from the fall block lifting ring.

The reason for the release has not been established with certainty, but the release mechanism was poorly maintained, the locking pin was missing and the crew had little information or understanding of its operation.

Port State Control and post-accident inspections confirmed that the release mechanism was badly maintained and in an unsafe condition. The aft hook was disconnected from the release mechanism and lashed in the closed position. With the lifeboat suspended on its hooks, operation of the midships located release lever would cause only the forward hook to disengage. The lifeboat would fall down and swing on the aft hook, as occurred in the accident.

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Gulser Ana -Oct 2001