1 The Maritime Safety Committee, at its eighty-first
session (10 to 19 May 2006), approved a draft amendment to SOLAS regulation III/19.3.3.4 concerning
provisions for the launch of free-fall lifeboats during abandon ship
drills, as follows:
“19.3.3.4 In the case of a lifeboat arranged
for free-fall launching, at least once every three months during an
abandon ship drill the crew shall board the lifeboat, properly secure
themselves in their seats and commence the launch procedure up to
but not including the actual release of the lifeboat (i.e., the release
hook shall not be released). The lifeboat shall then either be free-fall
launched with only the required operating crew on board, or lowered
into the water by means of the secondary means of launching without
the operating crew on board, and then manoeuvred in the water by the
operating crew. At intervals of not more than six months, the lifeboat
shall either be launched by free-fall with only the operating crew
on board, or simulated launching shall be carried out in accordance
with the guidelines developed by the Organization.footnote”
2 In view of the expiration of MSC/Circ.1115, which addressed free-fall
launching from high-launch heights, and in order to improve the safety
of abandon ship drills involving free-fall lifeboats, and recognizing
that considerable time will pass before the amendment will enter into
force, the Committee urges Member Governments to give the amended
regulation early effect, pending its formal entry into force.
3 Member Governments are also invited to accept
ships flying the flags of other States conducting drills in accordance
with the 1974 SOLAS Convention and the above
approved amendment.