Marine Accident Investigation Branch
Accident Investigation Report 6/2023
Read our marine accident investigation report, which includes what happened, subsequent actions taken and recommendations:
Summary
On the 4 March 2021, the port lifeboat from RRS Sir David Attenborough fell into the water while the crew were practising lifeboat drills. The investigation found that a critical interlock device on the lifeboat davits had heavily corroded due to lack of maintenance. The interlock failed to operate correctly and subsequently caused the lifeboat to fall from the davit and into the sea with three crew on board. It also found that the installation of the lifeboat davits was not in accordance with the manufacturers instructions and did not meet international regulations.
Safety issues
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the safety equipment survey had failed to identify that the davit installation was not compliant with SOLAS
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the ships crew had not been trained in the operation of the davit and were unfamiliar with the correct operating procedure
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the ships operator had suspended maintenance of critical equipment
Recommendations
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) is recommended (2023/108) to review its processes for delegating Safety Equipment Surveys to Recognised Organisations and ensure that feedback mechanisms are in place to provide the necessary assurance that the surveys have been carried out effectively and in compliance with SOLAS regulations.
A second recommendation (2023/109) has been made to the MCA to review its policy for delegation to consider whether it is appropriate to delegate initial safety equipment surveys for newbuild vessels or those joining the UK register.
Photograph credit
Top image of vessel courtesy of Reuters.