Real Life Incident: Complicated Procedure Leads To Total Failure Of Fast Rescue Craft (FRC)
A ferry was on a scheduled run between two ports. The crew planned to carry out a routine test of the stored power launching system with the Fast Rescue Craft (FRC) during the transit. A toolbox talk was conducted before the test, and the procedure for the stored power launch was discussed. The vessel was stopped for the drill to take place.
The vessel-specific procedure for the stored power launch of the FRC consisted of 20 steps, including the operation of seven different ball valves in the davit’s hydraulic system, located on two decks. The crew worked under the instruction of a senior officer. When all the valves were thought to be in the correct positions and the boat was slewed out into the launching position, the order was given to operate the launch cable. When the launch cable…