The Transportation Safety Board (TSB) is advocating for improved safety protocols for lifeboats on commercial vessels following a serious incident that occurred on September 2, 2023. An engineer was injured when a lifeboat fell from the bulk carrier Golden Zhejiang while it was anchored in the Trincomali Channel, located off the southeast coast of Vancouver Island.

During a routine safety check, two engineers were inspecting the vessel's free-fall lifeboat when the release mechanism was unintentionally activated. This caused the 4,400-kilogram lifeboat, which can seat 29 people, to slide off its launch pad and plunge 19 meters into the water with one engineer still inside. The engineer, who was not secured in a seat, was found unconscious and suffered head injuries. He was subsequently hospitalized and has since experienced permanent life-altering injuries and partial memory loss.

The TSB's report, released recently, indicated that the engineer mistakenly identified the emergency release wheel as a steering mechanism, which contributed to the incident. Although the TSB could not definitively determine how the lifeboat was released, it identified several deficiencies that played a role. Notably, the vessel's management did not require a risk assessment before the engineer entered the lifeboat for the safety check. Additionally, the cables meant to secure the lifeboat were not load-bearing and were inadequate for preventing an accidental release.

The report also highlighted that the engineer, who had a decade of experience as a second engineer, had only joined the Golden Zhejiang 12 days prior to the incident. He had not received safety familiarization training for the lifeboat, which, while not a direct cause of the accident, could pose risks in future situations.

In response to the incident, Columbia Shipmanagement Ltd., the vessel's operator, has implemented several safety measures. These include enhancing labeling on the lifeboat release controls, updating safety familiarization guidelines, and installing turnbuckles to secure the lifeboat during safety checks and inspections. The TSB is urging all vessel operators to ensure proper risk assessments and equipment-specific training to prevent similar accidents in the future.