Lifeboat accidents resulting in fatalities and serious injuries are all too frequent, despite efforts in recent years to reduce them, said Bimco, the shipowners' Baltic and International Maritime Council.
Most accidents happen in boats using conventional davits and on-load release systems. But other parts of the suspension and lifting systems have been identified as points of failure too, particularly the wire rope falls on larger lifeboats, said BIMCO.
The UN's International Maritime Organisation (IMO) recommends the use of FPDs because so many recent lifeboat and rescue boat accidents have resulted in fatalities and injuries to seafarers.
"This constitutes an unacceptable risk and the use of FPDs is intended to be an interim measure to reduce this risk while new, safe IMO approved systems are developed," said the press release.
Said BIMCO tech chief Aron Sorensen: "This pamphlet provides the master and crew with solid, experience-based advice on the use of fall preventer devices during lifeboat operations."
Most accidents happen in boats using conventional davits and on-load release systems. But other parts of the suspension and lifting systems have been identified as points of failure too, particularly the wire rope falls on larger lifeboats, said BIMCO.
The UN's International Maritime Organisation (IMO) recommends the use of FPDs because so many recent lifeboat and rescue boat accidents have resulted in fatalities and injuries to seafarers.
"This constitutes an unacceptable risk and the use of FPDs is intended to be an interim measure to reduce this risk while new, safe IMO approved systems are developed," said the press release.
Said BIMCO tech chief Aron Sorensen: "This pamphlet provides the master and crew with solid, experience-based advice on the use of fall preventer devices during lifeboat operations."