Tokyo MoU issued a Safety Bulletin to raise awareness of the potential risks associated with lifting slings encased in plastic sheathing on freefall lifeboats. Such arrangements have been found to restrict visual inspection of the wire ropes enclosed within and furthermore, prevent routine maintenance and survey being effectively carried out.
As a result, the wire ropes may be seriously corroded due to passage of moisture/air inside and yet go undetected.
Serious incidents have occurred during...