Lifeboat AcademyCourse 1
Lifeboat Safety and the Rules
Why lifeboats hurt people, which rules keep them safe, and what crew and superintendents must check, log and leave to specialists.
8 lessons · about 90 minutes · Crew, officers and superintendents
About
Lifeboats are built to save lives, yet for years they hurt and killed seafarers during ordinary drills and tests. Most of today’s lifeboat rules were written in answer to those accidents. This course starts there, then shows you where each rule lives and what it asks of you.
You will learn to find your way around SOLAS chapter III, the LSA Code and resolution MSC.402(96). You will learn the main types of lifeboat and rescue boat and how on-load release hooks work. Then come the weekly and monthly checks, safe drills, who may do which job, and the records that must be kept. Every lesson gives the exact references and links to the free IMO texts, so you can check the source yourself.
The course is for awareness and refresher learning. It does not replace STCW survival craft training, the manufacturer’s instructions or the training that service technicians need. When this course and your boat’s manual seem to differ, follow the manual and ask the manufacturer.
Lessons
- 01 Why lifeboats hurt people The lifeboat accidents behind today's rules, what went wrong in each, and the rule or practice that now addresses it. Free · 10 min
- 02 The rulebook map Which document answers which lifeboat question: SOLAS chapter III, the LSA Code, MSC.402(96), MSC.81(70), IMO circulars, flag notices and class rules. Free · 11 min
- 03 Know your boat The types of lifeboat and rescue boat, which ones a ship carries, and what each main system on board does, with the LSA Code paragraph behind it. Sign up free · 12 min
- 04 Hooks and release gear On-load and off-load release, the hydrostatic interlock, why a hook must be completely reset, the 2014–2019 hook replacement and fall preventer devices. Sign up free · 14 min
- 05 Weekly and monthly lifeboat checks What the crew must check every week and every month under SOLAS III/20, and how to write it up in the log-book. Sign up free · 12 min
- 06 Drills without accidents How often lifeboats, free-fall boats and rescue boats must be drilled and launched under SOLAS III/19, and how to run those drills safely. Sign up free · 13 min
- 07 Who may do what Which lifeboat jobs the ship's crew may do, and which need certified technicians from the manufacturer or an authorised service provider. Sign up free · 12 min
- 08 Records and the fit-for-purpose statement What must be written in the log-book, what a service report must contain and be signed by, and what the fit-for-purpose statement is. Sign up free · 12 min
Final quiz
15 questions from across the course. Pass with 12.
Take it as many times as you like; each try draws a fresh mix of questions. When you pass, we congratulate you. We don't issue certificates.
Free awareness training. Lifeboat Inspections is not authorised to issue training certificates, so none is given, and this course is not a qualification. It doesn't replace STCW survival craft training, manufacturer training or MSC.402(96) technician certification. The manufacturer's manual and your flag's rules always come first.