French lessons

摘要

Debates over lifeboat onload release mechanisms dominated the pages of SASI earlier this year, as we reported on tortuous attempts at the IMO to agree new standards. So much energy has been expended on the topic that it was quite a surprise to hear of a lifeboat accident report from the French marine accident investigation agency Bureau Enquetes Accidents/Mer (BEAmer) that focused on a davit-related failure instead. Yet among the recommendations arising from the fatal lifeboat drop from box ship CMA CGM Christophe Colomb (see page 16) those concerning hook design are the most likely to stimulate debate - they certainly have among those in the industry whose opinion I've canvassed.