A review of other incidents involving the failure of slings used to launch and recover freefall lifeboats that have been reported to the Administrator in the past six months has identified the following similarities:
• Inadequate in-service inspection of slings by ship’s crew;
• Inadequate assessment of risks prior to conducting freefall lifeboat drills;
• Inadequate initial inspection of slings prior to being put into service;
• Inadequate assessment and selection of manufacturers and suppliers of slings; and
• Use of plastic encased wire.