OOCL Britain - March 2006

During the lowering of the port side lifeboat from its stowage position, it swung and struck the side of the vessel. As it swung, the lifeboat forward skates was caught by the gangway stowed at the shipside. This acted as a pivot point on which the lifeboat overturned to almost 90º causing the forward and aft hooks to disengage from their positions.

During the lowering of the port side lifeboat from its stowage position, it swung and struck the side of the vessel. As it swung, the lifeboat forward skates was caught by the gangway stowed at the shipside. This acted as a pivot point on which the lifeboat
overturned to almost 90∘causing the forward and aft hooks to disengage from their positions. The forward skate later detached from its securing. As a result the lifeboat unhooked from its securing and dropped approximately 20 metres into the water. The Third Officer assigned to lower the lifeboat died in the incident. Three other crewmembers managed to escape after the accident with one injury.

The port lifeboat sustained structural damage to the top canopy after dropping into the sea. At the material time, the weather was good, with a slight wind and a smooth sea.

The investigation revealed that the probable cause of the incident was due to the design of recess opening above the stowed gangway and the inadequate size of the lifeboat skates that were caught by the gangway locating at the recess opening.

During launching the Third Officer might have incorrectly applied the hand brake causing the lifeboat to swing excessively

Download the Hong Kong Marine Accident report HERE