Chutes and lifesaving equipment

[Paul Beal]

Below is from the MCA website.

https://mcanet.mcga.gov.uk/public....ar=2003

Does anyone know what it is refering to?

Condolences to family involved

Paul
__
STATEMENT


On behalf of the MCA, we would like to express our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Mrs McCabe-Jones.

As a result of this inquest the Coroner has made three recommendations to the MCA.

1. That the lifejackets should be suitable for descent in these chutes. The MCA has already raised at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) the difficulties of compatibility of some life saving equipment. We will at the earliest opportunity return to IMO regarding the specific problems associated with these chutes / lifejackets, in order to reach international agreement over chute / lifejacket combinations. In the interim all operators of UK ships fitted with these systems are ensuring that the lifejackets are suitable.

2. Sweeper training and equipment levels. The UK manufacturers of this equipment are already upgrading the units currently in use so as to enhance the rescue equipment associated with the chute and make it easily available. They are also including further instructions for rescue personnel (sweepers) in their documentation for use in training. There is already a requirement for all crew involved in deployment and use of life saving equipment to be suitably trained. The MCA monitors all of this type of training, and will be looking closely at this particular aspect.

3. More effective gathering of data on accidents in chutes. At the earliest opportunity the MCA will take to IMO recommendations to enable effective collection of data on a world wide basis involving accidents in all types of Marine Evacuation Systems.

[Finless]

During a simulated emergency exercise on a ferry (last year I believe) a woman volunteer died as a result of getting "stuck" whilst sliding down an inflatable escape chute (similsr th those used on aeroplanes. This appears to have happened as a result of the her life jacket getting caught and restricting her breathing.

It has recently been mentioned on the local news (South East).

[Adrian Kelland]

Paul

Link including picture

Read this earlier, sounds like her coat/jacket and life jacket rose up as she went down and became stuck.

Quite how she suffocated is unclear.

Adrian

[Paul Beal]

Thanks for that guys, sounds horrific. I just hope things can be learnt from this.

Paul

[Paul Oliver]

Paul

What i also gather from watching it on the news last night was that the "Sweeper" who was sent down to release her had not been trained in this task/skill, and not only was he lasking a knife or cutting impliment, he was also lacking a radio to comunicate with those at the top and bottom of the chute.

Regards

Paul