Lifeboats more dangerous than Somali pirates?

 "Lifeboat accidents are a far greater cause of loss of life than piracy off Somalia yet get far less attention," says Bob Couttie, administrator of Maritime Accident Casebook, a site dedicated to marine safety.

In recent years a movement has risen to address the dangers of lifeboat and rescue boats. Davit failures, parting wires and hook failures are some of the major causes for these supposed rescue craft to freefall in some cases nearly 100 feet into the water.

We at Vujasinovic & Beckcom will dedicate a number of articles and stories this month to the dangers of lifeboats and rescue boats that every mariner must be aware of.