DNV DNVGL-ST-0022 PDF

Operating lifeboats poses special challenges for the lifeboat coxswain and crew with reference to launching and recovery, boat-handling and survival in a hostile environment, following abandonment. This overview of competencies may help the shipping industry and offshore industry, both from a safety management perspective as well as from a training & assessment perspective.

This standard addresses the competencies needed by Lifeboat Coxswains who are responsible for preparing, launching and operating the lifeboat, with the aim to successfully launch the lifeboat, with its full complement of passengers and crew, reach a safe area and await rescue.

The emphasis of the standard lies on the emergency evacuation, using a motor propelled survival craft, further to be referred to as ‘lifeboat'. Both conventional lifeboats and free-fall lifeboats are covered by the competencies in the standard. The competencies also apply to operating a designated lifeboat for rescue or towing purposes.

Since davit-launched life-rafts are often used as a back-up means in case a lifeboat is unavailable the coxswain must also possess a skill-set to prepare and launch this type of craft, with the crew assigned to him. If these rafts are used as a primary means of evacuation (cruise vessels and ferries), the emergency organisation on board will have dedicated people for both the launching stations and the rafts, whose tasks differ from the lifeboat coxswain addressed in this standard.

Basic sea-survival competencies as required for all seafarers (e.g. turning a capsized raft, use of lifejackets) are not part of the scope.