How many seamen must be killed or maimed in ship lifeboats and rescue boats until the world's governing bodies step in and hold companies criminally liable?

Lifeboats are supposed to save lives, not kill. Yet, seamen continue to die senselessly performing lifeboat maintenance. Earlier this year, a crewmember was killed when the forward fall of a lifeboat on the Holland-America Lines cruise ship Volendam parted.

He and another seaman were in the boat greasing the falls.

Even though the IMO no longer requires crewmembers to be on board lifeboats during lowering and hoisting in other than emergency situations, companies continue to do just that, ordering personnel to literally hang for their lives in order to perform routine maintenance.

Even though both workers were wearing a safety harness, what good did it do the dead man? In fact, perhaps he would have been better off falling into the water instead of violently swinging into hanging objects.

This month, we are exposing the dangers of lifeboats and rescue boats. Read more in our article library here.

If you've been injured in a lifeboat or rescue boat, contact a qualified maritime attorney immediately.