Lifeboat: 5 common failures you should watch out for

Regular lifeboat inspections are mandatory under the SOLAS Convention to ensure crew safety. During these inspections, many lifeboat components are often found damaged, requiring costly repairs or replacements.

This article highlights 5 parts that frequently fail based on GOTCO’s inspection experience on multiple vessels, and provides practical solutions to help shipowners take preventive action and optimize maintenance costs.

Being proactive not only reduces maintenance expenses but also ensures the lifeboat remains fully operational during Port State Control (PSC) inspections, avoiding the risk of detention even if scheduled servicing has been carried out.

1. Lifeboat on-load release hook

Typical finding

In hundreds of lifeboat maintenance checks we have conducted, the on-load release hook system is consistently among the components that show wear, requiring servicing or adjustment.

The main issue lies in its “hard-to-access” and “rarely used” nature. Lubrication often focuses only on visible areas, neglecting inner bearings and locking pins.

The marine environment is also unforgiving. Even with approved lubricants, quarterly servicing is often not enough.

In fact, even new release hooks can show reduced smoothness after a short time at sea due to salt spray and humidity, leading to corrosion and internal jamming.

Recommendations

Follow proper “clean & lubricate” procedures

• Thorough cleaning: Before applying grease, all dirt, salt deposits, and degraded grease must be removed. Use a degreaser spray or hot fresh water with a brush to reach deep into joints and crevices. Applying new grease over contaminated surfaces only traps corrosive agents, accelerating damage.
• Correct lubrication: Use anti-corrosion grease or manufacturer-approved lubricant. Instead of surface spraying, apply with a brush or proper tool to ensure grease penetrates contact points, locking pins, and inner bearings.
• Increase frequency: Lubrication should be done monthly or after long voyages/severe weather to withstand harsh marine conditions.

Routine visual checks and periodic assessment

• Quick check after use: Inspect the hook’s exterior after each drill or exposure to bad weather. Look for rust, cracks, or deformation.
• Operational feel test: After the lifeboat is safely lowered and unloaded, test the release lever. It should move smoothly with a clear “click” when locking/unlocking. Any stiffness, jamming, or unusual sounds are early warning signs requiring immediate detailed inspection.

Crew training and standardized practice

Ensure all responsible crew members are properly trained on system operation, key maintenance points, and correct handling of release hooks.

Emphasize adherence to manufacturer’s instructions. All adjustments, dismantling, or complex repairs must be done only by certified personnel, as improper intervention can compromise the original factory settings.

On-load release hook of lifeboat

2. Lifeboat winch brake

Typical Finding

During routine lifeboat inspections, reduced winch brake performance is a frequent finding, posing a serious safety risk in an emergency. Typical signs include:

• Brake unable to hold the load
• Uncontrolled lowering speed
• Unusual noises or burning smell

Main causes

Training and drill operations

Frequent lowering/hoisting during drills, especially at improper speeds or with “sudden brake-and-release” actions, generates excessive heat. This often causes glazing and rapid wear of the brake lining.

Environmental and contamination factors

Open winch systems are constantly exposed to the marine environment. Salt spray, humidity, and dust intrusion—combined with leaking lubricants—form an abrasive layer that reduces friction and brake efficiency.

Insufficient inspection and adjustment

Over time, brake springs may lose tension and brake clearance may increase due to mechanical wear. Without proper inspection and adjustment to the manufacturer’s specifications, brake performance gradually deteriorates until failure occurs.

Recommendations

Follow proper operating procedures

During lifeboat drills or testing, lower the boat at a steady, controlled speed as per the operating manual. Avoid sudden or shock-loading actions on the brake system.

Perform routine checks and maintenance by ship’s crew

• Visual inspection and cleaning: Regularly remove dirt, salt deposits, and excess grease from the brake drum and lining.
• Detailed measurement: Periodically check brake lining thickness, spring tension, and brake clearance. Compare with limits specified in the manufacturer’s manual to plan timely replacement.

Crew awareness and training

Ensure crew understand the working principle of the winch brake and the risks of improper operation. Emphasize the importance of promptly reporting abnormal signs such as unusual noise, vibration, or reduced braking performance.

GOTCO technicians are inspecting the lifeboat davit, including the winch brake system.

3. Hull and lifeboat structure

One of the most common findings during lifeboat maintenance is the degradation of composite materials in the hull, buoyancy tanks, and structural belts of lifeboats. Typical defects include spider-web cracks, fine fractures, surface discoloration, and loss of gloss.

Typical finding

• UV Radiation Exposure: The leading cause of composite deterioration. Direct sunlight breaks down polymer resins, making the material brittle and prone to cracking.
• Improper Storage Conditions: Continuous exposure of lifeboats to the marine environment (sun, rain, salt) without effective protective covers significantly accelerates the aging process.
• Mechanical Impact: Collisions during launching/retrieval, drills, or berthing may create initial cracks or chips, which can develop into more serious damage under environmental stress.

Recommendations

To minimize such damage and avoid costly replacements, operators should:

• Conduct periodic inspections and reapply gelcoat or UV-resistant coatings as recommended by the manufacturer. These coatings not only preserve aesthetics but also provide a protective barrier between composite materials and the marine environment.
• Train crew members to handle lifeboats carefully during launching, recovery, and berthing operations to reduce the risk of impact damage.
• Early detection of aging signs through regular lifeboat maintenance allows timely corrective measures, ensuring the structural integrity of lifeboats and safeguarding crew safety.

The lifeboat hull was cracked due to impact.

4. Lifeboat engines

The diesel engine is the heart of lifeboats, yet it is also the most vulnerable component due to the harsh marine environment and suboptimal storage practices.

Proper preventive maintenance not only ensures the readiness of lifeboats in emergencies but also helps shipowners avoid costly repairs during routine lifeboat maintenance and inspections.

Typical Finding

Failure to follow regular start-up procedures

According to SOLAS requirements, lifeboat engines must be started and run for at least 3 minutes each week (SOLAS Chapter III, Reg 20.6.3).
Failure to comply often results in lubricating oil losing its properties, fuel deposits forming within the fuel system, and battery capacity deteriorating, making start-up difficult.

Fuel degradation and contamination

Stored diesel fuel tends to deteriorate over time, accumulating moisture and supporting microbial growth. These impurities cause fuel filter blockages, pipeline corrosion, and reduced combustion efficiency.

Inadequate maintenance

Many engine failures stem from neglecting basic maintenance tasks such as replacing fuel filters, air filters, and inspecting the cooling system. This leads to engine overload, overheating, and shortened lifespan.

Recommendations

Effective fuel management

Diesel fuel should be replaced every 3–6 months to avoid degradation and contamination. The use of fuel stabilizers and biocides is recommended to prevent microbial growth and deposits in the fuel system.

Scheduled system maintenance

Strict adherence to the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance plan is essential, including oil changes, replacement of fuel and air filters. Regular inspection and cleaning of the cooling and electrical systems are also necessary to ensure engine reliability.

Proper storage conditions

Lifeboats should be covered with waterproof and UV-resistant tarpaulins when not in use. Storage areas should be well-ventilated, dry, and shielded from prolonged direct sunlight.

Documentation and record keeping

Maintaining detailed maintenance logs, including start-up schedules, fuel replacement, and other service records, helps track engine condition and support effective lifeboat maintenance planning.

The lifeboat engine is one of the most failure-prone components.

5. Electrical system and Signal lights

In addition to the components mentioned above, the electrical system and signal lights are frequently recorded as areas prone to failures during periodic lifeboat maintenance.

Typical finding

Depleted or weakened batteries

Batteries are the key element of a lifeboat’s electrical system. When batteries are not charged regularly or left unused for extended periods, they lose their ability to start the system.

The marine environment, with its high temperature and humidity, also accelerates the self-discharge rate of batteries.

Corrosion of wiring and connections

The high salt content in the marine atmosphere is a primary factor causing corrosion in electrical terminals, lugs, and conductors. This leads to increased contact resistance, voltage drops, and equipment failures.

Unprotected connections can become oxidized within just 3–6 months of operation in the marine environment.

Ingress of moisture and seawater

Signal lights, switches, and control panels are often affected by moisture penetrating through gaps. Seawater ingress can result in short circuits, corrosion of circuit boards, and reduced equipment lifespan.

Recommendations

Systematic battery management

Battery management must follow a defined schedule: charge at least once every two weeks even when not in use, and check voltage monthly using a voltmeter to maintain 12.6V ± 0.2V for 12V systems.

In addition, operators should replace batteries in line with manufacturer recommendations – typically every 2–3 years depending on service conditions.

Comprehensive protection of electrical wiring

This includes sealing connections with specialized waterproofing compounds such as silicone or epoxy, applying anti-corrosion grease regularly to battery terminals and key junctions, and routinely inspecting electrical enclosures to ensure gaskets remain intact and well-sealed.

Standardized electrical equipment maintenance

Involves routine cleaning of light fittings and switches with anti-oxidation solutions, monthly testing of all lighting and signal systems for a minimum of 10 minutes, and maintaining detailed logs to record equipment condition and lifeboat maintenance history.

From the above analysis, it is clear that the most common failures identified during routine lifeboat inspections – from engines and electrical systems to composite hulls and lifesaving appliances – stem from a primary cause: insufficient attention and neglect in daily operation and maintenance.

These failures are not “random” incidents but the inevitable result of failing to maintain a proactive and consistent lifeboat maintenance program. Shipowners and crew should treat daily and monthly inspections as an integral part of standard lifeboat operations.

To ensure maximum safety and optimize costs, we recommend that shipowners work with reputable and experienced service providers specializing in periodic lifeboat inspections.

Professional experts will help you:

• Develop a tailored maintenance schedule;
• Detect potential risks at an early stage;
• Provide the most effective technical solutions for each specific component.

Contact GOTCO today for expert consultation and specialized lifeboat maintenance services, ensuring your voyages remain safe, reliable, and cost-effective.