Notice to shipowners, masters, officers, ratings and lifeboat builders
1 Following a successful abandonment of an offshore installation, reports were received
that personnel suffered considerable discomfort from the fumes given off from around the
engine in a Totally Enclosed Motor Propelled Survival Craft (TEMPSC). Even with the
ventilation ports open, the fumes were sufficiently noxious to cause some people to seek
fresh air on top of the lifeboat canopy. In addition, the fumes contributed to the rapid
onset of sea sickness. Recent trials have shown that engine fumes can be a serious
problem during a TEMPSC evacuation. Crews and maintenance personnel of TEMPSCs
should be alerted to these dangers.
2 At periodic inspections of survival craft, owners and masters are strongly recommended
to check their existing totally enclosed lifeboats to ensure that:
.1 there are no exhaust system leaks;
.2 there are no oil or diesel leaks and the engines are clean;
.3 the exhaust and its lagging runs clear of the bilge water area and that there is
little risk of bilge water contacting the engine manifold and exhaust when the
lifeboat is in use;
.4 exhaust lagging is clean and dry and of a non-absorbent type;
.5 bilges are kept dry and clear of oil;
.6 any paint used on engines, manifolds and exhausts does not give off fumes when
it is heated.
3 At periodic lifeboat launching drills, while the totally enclosed lifeboat is in the water,
the opportunity should be taken to run the engine to full operational temperature to see if
fumes develop. It is recommended that these checks should be carried out at least once a
year. If fumes do develop, then the advice of the lifeboat manufacturer should be sought
and the flag Administration informed.
4 When a totally enclosed lifeboat is to be provided, it is recommended that the lifeboat
builder run the engine for at least two hours to establish that noxious or nauseous fumes
are not generated within the lifeboat before it is delivered to the ship or offshore
installation and prior to the surveyor's approval trials. Lifeboat builders should ensure that
the positioning of the exhaust system is such as to lead it clear of the bilge water area.