A report investigating an accident during a launching exercise on board the UK’s most advanced polar research ship, RRS Sir David Attenborough, on Loch Buie in Scotland on 4 March 2021, has been published by UK government agency the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB).

Investigators identified several safety issues that led to a lifeboat falling into the sea with three people aboard, including poor training and maintenance.

On 4 March 2021, the port lifeboat from the 129m icebreaker RRS Sir David Attenborough, fell into the water while the crew practised lifeboat drills.

The lifeboat dropped from the davit head, landed on the base of the davit arms and rolled 90 degrees onto its side on the deck. The lifeboat was dragged across the deck and momentarily balanced on the deck edge before being pulled over the side.

The third officer and the bosun inside the lifeboat remained in their seats as they had seatbelts on, but the seaman grade one fell to the bow. The lifeboat became completely submerged and water started to flood through the aft hatch opening before the lifeboat righted itself and came to rest, floating on an even keel.

RRS Sir David Attenborough _Fig03_SequenceOfAccident_5_Dwg MAIB

The lifeboat pictured before the accident. Image courtesy of MAIB

The vessel’s master sounded the emergency stations alarm and the crew prepared to launch the rescue craft to go to the aid of the lifeboat, which had drifted away from the ship. As the craft approached the lifeboat, the third officer indicated that no one on board was seriously injured

The MAIB safety investigation found that a critical interlock device on the lifeboat davits had heavily corroded due to lack of maintenance.

The interlock failed to operate correctly and subsequently caused the lifeboat to fall from the davit and into the sea with three crew on board. The investigation also found that the installation of the lifeboat davits was not in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and did not meet international regulations.

The key safety issues identified were:

  • The safety equipment survey failed to identify that the davit installation was not in accordance with SOLAS regulation.
  • The ship’s crew had not been trained in the operation of the davit and were unfamiliar with the correct operating procedure.
  • The ship’s operator had suspended maintenance of critical equipment.

MAIB has recommended that the Maritime and Coastguard Agency review its processes for delegating safety equipment surveys to recognised organisations and ensure that feedback mechanisms are in place to provide the necessary assurance that the surveys have been carried out effectively and in compliance with SOLAS regulations.

The agency must also review its policy for delegation to consider whether it is appropriate to delegate initial safety equipment surveys for newbuild vessels or those joining the UK register.

The full report is now available to download.

In September 2019, the ship was officially named the RRS Sir David Attenborough after the presenter and naturalist. The naming of the ship was not without controversy, as a public vote to select a name resulted in Boaty McBoatface topping the vote. The mischievous name was ultimately overruled by UK ministers, but the name now lives on and has been applied to one of the onboard submersibles.

The research ship underwent unrelated maintenance works at Babcock International’s Rosyth facilities earlier this year.

Main image: RRS Sir David Attenborough. Image courtesy of Reuters via MAIB.

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