Guiding Principles

1. Ensure weekly, monthly, annual, and 5-year maintenance and inspection routines are conducted in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions and SOLAS III/20 (Operational readiness, maintenance, and inspections).
   Rules and Standards Explorer
2. Check the integrity of structural connections in the weekly/monthly inspections. Report any defects and temporary repairs to Class and Flag.
   Life-Saving Appliances Pocket Checklist
3. Consider additional safety measures such as Fall Preventer Devices.
   Lifeboat Fall Prevention Devices FDPs by MCA
4. Train crew in their abandon ship and rescue boat responsibilities. The time limits set out in SOLAS for ship abandonment should be considered as a secondary objective when conducting drills. Drills must be conducted safely.
   Checklist for use of lifeboat fall prevention device
5. Supervise lifeboat exercises with experienced officers.
   Lifeboat Launch and Recovery Checklist
6. Hold a debrief after each drill and reflect on what went well, and what needs improvement.
   Lessons Learnt: Death of a Bosun
7. Supplement practical training with Learning Engagement Tools.
   Learning Engagement Tool
8. Establish, implement, and audit HSE procedures covering the maintenance and operation of lifeboats and their launching appliances. Ref. ISM Code 7, and ISM Code 10. This includes risk assessment. Ref. ISM Code 1.2.2.
9. Hold an abandon ship drill at each Superintendent visit to verify crew readiness and safe working practices.