SAFETY AT SEA: Vertical-chute marine evacuation system

VERTICAL CHUTE SYSTEMS

The UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch recommends that shipping companies, which have, or are, intending to have vertical-chute marine evacuation systems installed on their ships, should:

1. Revalidate their risk assessment for drills, with particular emphasis on selecting fit and healthy volunteers.

2. Revalidate their safety case and/or risk assessments on the adverse effects of possible blockages in chutes at the time of the evacuation in an actual emergency.

3. Ensure that all personnel using a vertical-chute marine evacuation system wear lifejackets which will not ride up during the descent of a chute.

These recommendations came about as a result of a fatal accident during an emergency evacuation drill conducted by a passenger ship in Dover Harbour.