Lifeboat release hooks under the spotlight

Lifeboat release systems have come under the spotlight as investigators assess the accident which killed five crew members on board Thomson Majesty at the weekend.

Although it is not yet known what caused the lifeboat to plunge into the water during the safety drill, transport union officials say release hooks have always been a contentious issue.

Stricter safety standards for lifeboat release hooks came into force last month as an attempt to prevent accidents during lifeboat launching.

The International Maritime Organisation said the amendments to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) requires all lifeboats not complying with new international standards laid out to replace their release hooks.

Cruise lines have to assess and possibly replace their release hooks no later than the first scheduled dry-docking of the ship after July 1, 2014 but in any case, not later than July 1, 2019.

The IMO said it has worked to reduce casualties during lifeboat drills.

International Transport Workers Federation representative, Bjorn-Erik Kristoffersen said:

"This incident once again shows the risks that seafarers run every day, and underlines the burning need for progress on this issue. 

"Although it is too soon to be able to establish the exact causes of the incident, the safety of the release system of lifeboats has been a subject of controversy for years. We strongly urge the IMO to finalise measures to prevent such accidents."

Kristoffersen, who was on the lifeboat working group of the IMO Maritime Safety Committee, added: "This is a sad and awful accident, made doubly so because it happened during a drill whose whole reason is to safeguard lives. These accidents are all too common, and dramatically show that this is a recurring problem.

"The flag state, Malta, must quickly and fully investigate this accident andprovide a clear report on it.

"The ITF has been working closely with industry groups at the IMO to identify and correct the causes of lifeboat accidents. We will continue this work until all elements of these problems are known and have been solved."

A Thomson spokesman said: "We are working closely with the ship owners and managers, Louis Cruises, to determine exactly what has happened and provide assistance to those affected by the incident.

" We are also working closely with all relevant authorities and are co-operating fully with their investigations."