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Lifeboat drop test - DEV imca
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Lifeboat drop test

One of our members has recently experienced an incident during a lifeboat drop test carried out on three lifeboats. One of the three lifeboats failed its drop test due to the rear door opening after entering the water.

The lifeboat was loaded to 110% load (achieved with water bags) and included three personnel. The boat was fully submerged underwater during its dive and projection away from the platform. After surfacing it was clear that there had been water ingress to the boat. Fortunately there was no injury to the personnel in the boat. The on-site supplier representative performed adjustments to the door latches in order to increase latch tightness and the boat eventually passed the test after two more drops.

The member has informed us that the supplier was Norsafe AS, Faervik, Norway, who have confirmed to them that they have no previous experience of doors opening during this type of operation. The supplier is currently carrying out an investigation to determine the cause of the incident.


IMCA Safety Flashes summarise key safety matters and incidents, allowing lessons to be more easily learnt for the benefit of all. The effectiveness of the IMCA Safety Flash system depends on Members sharing information and so avoiding repeat incidents. Please consider adding safetyreports@imca-int.com to your internal distribution list for safety alerts or manually submitting information on incidents you consider may be relevant. All information is anonymised or sanitised, as appropriate.

IMCA’s store terms and conditions (https://www.imca-int.com/legal-notices/terms/) apply to all downloads from IMCA’s website, including this document.

IMCA makes every effort to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the data contained in the documents it publishes, but IMCA shall not be liable for any guidance and/or recommendation and/or statement herein contained. The information contained in this document does not fulfil or replace any individual’s or Member's legal, regulatory or other duties or obligations in respect of their operations. Individuals and Members remain solely responsible for the safe, lawful and proper conduct of their operations.