Equipment
Rescue-Craft Davit
Launching and recovery davits for rescue craft.
Documents
- 202614 May
MSF: Fast Rescue craft (FRC) washed overboard and lost at sea
An unexpected wave washed a vessel’s fast rescue craft overboard after driving it upwards against its davit. Worn, under-dimensioned lashings tore apart, and the hook arrangement suffered impact-related deformation. The flash describes subsequent recovery, enhanced securing inspections, possible additional heavy-weather lashings and planned replacement of lashing straps.
- 202624 Mar
MSF: High potential near miss during FRC maintenance
During sling replacement aboard a vessel, a fast rescue craft slipped from its davit cradle. Two crew members jumped into the sea and were recovered unharmed. The flash describes inadequate securing, a failed bowsing-line carabiner and gaps in work planning, including missing procedures, risk assessment and permit authorisation.
- 202613 Feb
Positive: damage to Fast Rescue Craft davit wire rope caught before failure
Routine checks revealed a fracture at the socket termination of a fast rescue craft davit wire rope before failure occurred. An authorised service provider inspected and repaired the rope. The flash emphasises monthly maintenance, checks before every use, attention to load-bearing components and discussion of defects during crew safety meetings.
- 202417 Dec
Structural failure of rescue boat
An unattended rescue boat failed structurally on its davit, dropping its hull into the sea without injuries. Excessive manual cranking forces, shock absorber maintenance and pressure issues, unclear instructions and unsuitable stowage were identified. Actions included inspections, torque-controlled cranking, davit modification and improved equipment acceptance arrangements.
- 202431 Jul
Fast Rescue Boat (FRC) comes close to falling off in a dry dock
During an annual rescue-craft and davit test aboard a vessel in dry dock, an unreleased lashing caused the craft to tip into a railing and its stern to become stuck. Hydraulic piping burst under abnormal pressure. Nobody was injured. The flash recommends pre-launch checks, clearer communication and detailed launch and retrieval procedures.
- 202318 Jan
LTI - Finger injury during davit test
During rescue-boat davit testing, a winch brake failure caused the craft to fall, trapping a crew member’s hand between a tensioned painter rope and a handrail. The flash describes serious finger injuries, inadequate supervision and toolbox communication, and lessons on rope handling, protective equipment and specific launch and test procedures.
- 202231 May
USCG: Exceeding electrical duty rating can lead to failure
A rescue-boat winch continued hoisting after its motor contactor fused because its duty rating was exceeded. Crew isolated power before the boat contacted the davit. The flash relays USCG recommendations to check contactor condition, compare duty ratings with recovery practices, verify safety-device design and train operators in power isolation.
- 202120 May
Crew member thrown to the quay by unplanned movement of small boat
A crew member replacing a rescue-boat cover on a tug alongside in harbour was struck and thrown onto the quay after inadvertently activating the davit’s slewing mechanism. The flash highlights unfamiliarity with davit operation, omission of a risk assessment for a routine task, and absent guard rails and personal protection.
- 202111 Feb
Failure of remote control/emergency stop on rescue boat winch
During rescue-boat recovery, remote control and emergency-stop functions failed, and the limit switch did not stop retrieval. Inspection found a contactor stuck closed; frequent short switching intervals were considered the most probable cause. The flash emphasises correct retrieval procedures, component inspection and replacement, and regular emergency-stop function testing within planned maintenance.
- 202017 Mar
Marine Safety Forum: Two incidents relating to fast rescue craft
This flash summarises two fast rescue craft incidents: a capsize after a release cable parted and a misunderstood gesture led to bow-line release, and an emergency lowering failure involving a stuck valve arm. Actions address crew communication, launch procedures, release-mechanism checks, maintenance clarity and functional testing.
- 20194 Sep
Davit failures
Two davit faults were detected during routine inspections. A rescue-boat davit could not swing out because its hydraulic pump failed to build pressure. A lifeboat davit responded slowly during stowage; changing an accumulator valve to evacuation mode restored stowage. The flash highlights inspections and planned maintenance.
- 20194 Sep
High potential near miss – Rescue boat davit failure (MSF)
A rescue boat davit collapsed during periodic lowering, causing the fall wire to break and the unmanned boat to fall into the water. No injuries occurred; the initial failure remained uncertain. The vessel owner required unmanned functional tests before boarding and specified component replacement and maintenance reviews.
- 20175 Oct
Small boat deployment near miss incident
During a rescue boat drill, a tied remote-control wire tightened and the electric motor tripped, allowing the boat to descend under gravity. Two crew members remained suspended by fall arrestors; nobody was injured. The flash identifies training and procedural shortcomings and calls for launching instruction, conditional fall-arrestor use and risk-assessment review.
- 201712 May
Damage to rescue boat during lowering
A rescue boat was damaged during a scheduled lowering drill after its shipside securing chain remained attached. Uneven loading led to supporting-rod displacement and canopy failure; nobody was aboard. Lessons address launch preparation checks, vessel supervision, training and the absence of management of change during crane recovery.
- 201620 Apr
Capsize and sinking of cement carrier Cemfjord with loss of 8 lives
Investigation of Cemfjord’s rapid capsize in the Pentland Firth and subsequent sinking, with eight crew assumed lost. AIS, radar, environmental modelling and underwater surveys inform analysis of violent seas, passage planning, cargo stability and probable fatigue. The report also examines rescue-boat incompatibility, bilge pumping deficiencies and ineffective regulatory assurance.
- 201329 Nov
NOPSEMA: Near-miss: Fast rescue craft unplanned descent
This IMCA flash points to a NOPSEMA near-miss account involving a crewed fast rescue craft that descended unexpectedly from its davit, starting at a height of 23 m. No injuries or equipment damage were reported. The supplied page does not describe causes or preventive measures.
- 201317 Oct
MSF: Hand injuries
This flash summarises two Marine Safety Forum hand injuries. A crewman trapped his hand between a small boat and a davit frame during recovery. Another person cut his left hand while unpacking supplies, using a box containing an old packing knife blade whose presence was unexplained.
- 201312 Sep
MSF: Fast rescue craft unplanned descent
A fast rescue craft carrying four people began a gradual, unplanned descent after retrieval to a height of 23 metres above sea level. Neutral controls and the emergency stop did not halt it. Both hoist brakes had failed; only the centrifugal/inertia brake arrested the descent. No injuries were reported.
- 20135 Aug
Fast rescue craft unplanned descent
A fast rescue craft carrying four workers descended unexpectedly during recovery at an offshore facility after mechanical and hydraulic brakes failed. Incorrect hydraulic valves, inadequate post-overhaul testing and gaps in procedures and operator training were identified. The alert highlights failure-mode analysis, maintenance and testing assurance; no injuries or equipment damage occurred.
- 201211 Oct
Tombarra fall wire fatality: Updated reports
This flash summarises updated MAIB findings on Tombarra’s fatal rescue-boat fall. A failed proximity switch allowed the davit winch to overload the fall wire. Water trapped within the boat increased its weight. Findings emphasise system compatibility, testing safety devices before use and regularly weighing boats.
- 2012Jul
Parting of fall wire during a rescue boat drill on car carrier Tombarra with loss of 1 life
Part B examines concealed water retention and weight growth in Tombarra’s rescue boat following a fatal drill casualty at Royal Portbury Docks. It analyses buoyancy foam quality, hull drainage, weighing and davit capacity, with comparisons from other boats. Excess weight did not contribute substantially to this fall-wire failure.
- 2011Oct
MAIB Safety Digest 2/2011
This marine accident digest presents separate cases involving navigation, propulsion failures, cargo handling, flooding, fishing hazards and passenger safety. Lessons examine bridge teamwork, training, emergency drills and equipment checks. Reproduced Tombarra bulletins analyse rescue-boat weight, water retention and davit overload protection; hull cases discuss ultrasonic thickness measurement and visual inspection.
- 201128 Jul
Failure of fall wire – update to safety flash 05/11
This safety flash updates an earlier account of a fatal rescue-boat incident with further MAIB findings. A malfunctioning proximity switch failed to stop the winch during stowage after a monthly drill, resulting in fall-wire failure. The boat and four crew fell nearly 29 metres into water; one died and two were hospitalised.
- 2011May
Safety warning after malfunction of proximity switch results in failure of fall wire with loss of 1 life
This bulletin examines a fatal rescue-boat hoisting accident aboard Tombarra at Royal Portbury Docks. A defective proximity switch allowed powered hoisting to continue, causing the fall wire to part. It addresses winch overload potential, switch suitability and installation, and recommends pre-hoisting tests, manufacturer-led maintenance and verification of electrical equipment seals.
- 2011Apr
Safety warning regarding discovery of overweight rescue boats
This bulletin examines excess weight in Tombarra’s rescue boat and similar craft following a fatal fall-wire failure. Water retained in foam-filled compartments increased boat weight and exceeded davit capacities when loaded. It recommends weighing, hull and deck inspections, regular drain-plug opening and performance monitoring, while the wire-failure investigation remains ongoing.
- 2011
MAIB Safety Digest 1/2011
This marine accident digest presents separate merchant-vessel, fishing-vessel and small-craft cases, with lessons on navigation, machinery safety, maintenance and emergency arrangements. Accounts examine collisions, groundings, flooding and fatal overboard incidents, alongside communication errors and distraction. Recommendations include independent position checks, machinery guarding, pre-use checklists and practised recovery drills.
- 2002Jun
Broaching of fast rescue boat during launch from ro-ro passenger ferry Commodore Clipper
Investigates a fast rescue boat broach during launching from Commodore Clipper in the Solent. Premature painter release, conflicting crew expectations and inadequate briefing led to the accident. The report examines suspension-hook safeguards, davit wave compensation, training requirements and cold-water protection, recommending improved operator training and clarification of compensator instructions.
- Undated
Accidents involving lifeboat and fast rescue craft from ro-ro passenger/cargo ferry European Highway with 4 people injured
Investigation of linked lifeboat and fast rescue craft accidents aboard European Highway in Zeebrugge harbour. Incorrectly attached hanging-off pendants caused the lifeboat to fall; a rotating davit lever injured an officer, and insufficient headroom affected rescue craft recovery. The synopsis describes rescue, equipment modifications and recommendations for training and procedures.
- Undated
Incorrect painter release hook connection causing rescue boat to fall from ro-ro passenger ferry Pride of Bilbao with 2 people injured
Investigates a rescue boat falling during recovery alongside a berth in Cherbourg, injuring two crewmen, one seriously. Examination and tests established incorrect attachment of the forward suspension ring to the painter hook. The report analyses davit and hook behaviour, recovery instructions, lifejacket performance and possible modifications preventing incorrect connections.
- Undated
Lifting wire failures on fast rescue craft davit of stand-by vessel Dea Fighter with total of 3 people injured
An investigation examines two lifting-wire failures on Dea Fighter’s starboard fast rescue craft davit in 1999, injuring occupants. An undersized replacement sheave altered wire geometry, enabling trapping, excessive bending and overload. Recommendations address launching-system standards, manufacturer-compliant replacement parts, operator training and onboard instructions.