Free-fall lifeboats: experimental investigation of the impact of environmental conditions on technical and human performance

• Main Authors: Simões Ré, A., MacKinnon, S., Veitch, B.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: unknown
• Published: 2008
• Subjects: Arctic
• Online Access: https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/object/?id=e9cbeecf-cc5b-4017-8f00-f9b1c3291c91; https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/fra/voir/objet/?id=e9cbeecf-cc5b-4017-8f00-f9b1c3291c91

Free-fall lifeboats offer a means to evacuate a ship or offshore installation rapidly, without the lowering operations associated with conventional davit launched lifeboats on wire falls. The performance of free-fall lifeboats during launch and sail-away has been investigated using a model test campaign. The main focus of the experimental evaluation was on the performance of this evacuation system in a range of different weather conditions. Measurements were also made of motions during the launch process, which are relevant to occupational safety issues. Examples of the tests are presented with a focus on results that warrant scrutiny in terms of human health and performance. The results lead us to question the IMO criteria used to assess the occupational safety of free-fall lifeboats. Peer reviewed: Yes NRC publication: Yes