PSC deficiency code 04110: Abandon ship drills
Area 04 Emergency systems
This code is used when abandon ship drills aren't held or recorded as required, or when the crew can't carry out the drill the inspector asks for. The focus is on the crew: do they know their stations and can they launch and handle the survival craft?
What the inspector looks at
The records come first, then the inspector may sound the general alarm and watch the muster.
- Are drills held at the required frequency, with every crew member taking part, and recorded with participants and what was done?
- Have lifeboats been lowered and launched with crew aboard at the required intervals, and is that recorded?
- Does the crew muster quickly at the right stations, with lifejackets correctly donned?
- Can the boat crew start the lifeboat engine, operate the davit and release gear and explain the on-load release?
- Are emergency lighting at muster and embarkation stations and the public address tested during the drill?
- Is the muster list current?
Common findings
- Crew not familiar with lifeboat launching procedure
- Abandon ship drill not satisfactorily performed
- Lifeboat not lowered / launched within required period, no records
- Crew unable to start lifeboat engine
- Lifejackets not donned correctly
- Muster list not updated, crew unaware of duties
The rule behind it
SOLAS Chapter III, Regulation 19 sets the frequency and content of abandon ship drills, including that each crew member takes part in at least one abandon ship drill every month, and the intervals at which lifeboats must be lowered and launched (with separate provisions for free-fall boats). For passenger ships SOLAS Chapter III, Regulation 30 adds weekly drills. The muster list and emergency instructions are also under Chapter III. The ISM Code requires the company to keep the crew ready for emergencies through planned drills.
Action codes you are likely to see
A missing record where other evidence shows the drill happened may be closed with 10 or 16. A drill that goes badly is usually 17, with another drill required before departure, often witnessed. If the crew can't launch a lifeboat or doesn't know basic duties, the inspector can treat it as a ground for detention (30), and an ISM finding may follow. See action taken codes.
How to close it
Hold a new drill with the full sequence: alarm, muster, lifejackets checked, boat prepared, engine started and the boat lowered where conditions allow. Record the participants, what was lowered or launched and any problems. Run recorded training on the davit, the release gear and starting the engine for anyone who struggled, and update the muster list if it was wrong. Keep the drill record, the training record and the company's follow-up with the Form B. Fire drills are covered under 04109; for the run-up to an inspection see preparing for PSC inspection.