Black Watch loses a lifeboat

[mufi]

Just got off the Singapore to Dover section of the Black Watch World cruise. Half way in they had a crew drill and dropped a lifeboat off the side of the ship, wrecking the davit and writing off the lifeboat. Thakfully there were no injuries.

 

There were conflicting reports of what went wrong ranging from equipment failure to human error, though as there will be an enquiry into the incident they obviously would say too much.

 

Black Watch sailed for the Med last evening one boat short as it will be some time before the new one is ready (do they have to be made to order?)

 

It's to be hoped that Fred Olsen will release details after the enquiry. It doesn't bear thinking about for this to happen in a real evacuation with a full lifeboat.

 

David.

[Parsman]

A sorry affair. I was on the "Black Watch" on the Callao to Sydney sector of the world cruise and know how many crew evacuation exercises there were on that voyage. As a regular on FOCL I am surprised for their safety and security is second to none. However, accidents do happen.

[tom_uk]

Launching a lifeboat seems to be a risky business. The Marine Accident Investigation Branch reviewed the topic and produced a report in 2001. Here's a link:

http://www.maib.gov.uk/cms_resources/Review_of_%20lifeboat_and_launching_systems_accidents.pdf

 

It actually makes quite scary reading.

[mufi]

Does make you think when you read that. The metal left in situ on the ship looked quite rusty - Black watch is an old ship.

 

David.

[Parsman]

Old she may be but that is no excuse for poorly maintained safety equipment. I hope they have sorted it out by now. It is unlike FOCL.