Safety Flash
Lifeboat wire rope failure
Safety Flash • Published on 19 January 2021 • Generated on 16 June 2025 • IMCA SF 03/21
The forward fall wire failed during testing of a lifeboat, causing it to fall, flip
upside down, then land in the water below
What happened?
During a five-yearly 110% load test of a lifeboat, taking place under third party
supervision, the forward fall wire failed, resulting in the lifeboat falling and flipping
upside down landing in the water below.
There were no personnel onboard during testing and no injuries were reported.
The lifeboat was recovered to shore.
What went wrong?
Our member’s investigation noted that during maintenance of the lifeboat davit
sheaves, the fall wire was removed by disassembling the three existing bulldog
(“Crosby”) clamps on each wire termination on the davit.
Once all maintenance works were completed, the fall wire was reinstalled using the
original bulldog clamps, which were clamped in the same position as the original
termination.
What were the causes?
Close inspection of the wire indicated that the fall wire had slipped through the
bulldog clips and released from the thimble on the turnbuckle because:
The grips were torqued in the exact same position they were before, therefore
compromising the structure of the wire which was already
flattened/deteriorated.
The bolt grips were tightened without making reference to any minimum /
maximum torque value specification.
Additionally:
There had been inadequate preparation of the wire for termination.
Bulldog clips had remained in use since the installation of the lifeboat, as there
was no regulatory or mandatory (Flag state) or company procedural
requirement to perform replacement.
There was no evidence that the bulldog clips were inspected prior to refitting.
Lessons learned
Fall wire inspection, maintenance and termination should be by competent
and qualified personnel.
Consider replacing wire terminations which have Bulldog grips or cable
grips (image A below) with asymmetrical wedge socket type (image B
below).
Actions
Checked fleetwide to see whether any similar terminations existed – any
lifeboat falls which were found to be secured with bulldog grips were
renewed and replaced with the asymmetrical wedge socket type by a
competent third party and subsequently certified.
Flag State was notified at the time of the event, and updated with the
outcome of the investigation.
IMCA Safety Flashes summarise key safety matters and incidents, allowing lessons to be more easily learnt for the benefit of the entire offshore industry.
The effectiveness of the IMCA Safety Flash system depends on the industry sharing information and so avoiding repeat incidents. Incidents are classified
according to IOGP's Life Saving Rules.
All information is anonymised or sanitised, as appropriate, and warnings for graphic content included where possible.
IMCA makes every effort to ensure both the accuracy and reliability of the information shared, but is not be liable for any guidance and/or recommendation and/or
statement herein contained.
The information contained in this document does not fulfil or replace any individual's or Member's legal, regulatory or other duties or obligations in respect of their
operations. Individuals and Members remain solely responsible for the safe, lawful and proper conduct of their operations.
Share your safety incidents with IMCA online. Sign-up to receive Safety Flashes straight to your email.
