Taking London as an example, increasing road congestion has resulted in a steady growth in commuting and getting around the capital by river transport. There is also the not insignificant river borne tourist traffic.

These operations bring their own particular risks, including operating in fast running tidal rivers and the mind set of passengers for whom the trip is just a novel form of a bus journey rather than a seagoing experience.

MGN 344 (M) Observations and Recommendations arising from a Series of Domestic Passenger Vessel Evacuation Exercises reports on lessons learned from a series of exercises undertaken or witnessed by the MCA during 2006 including three on the river Thames.

Of particular interest are the experiences of using Open Reversible Inflatable Liferafts  (ORILS). The exercises established that evacuating large numbers of passengers by this  means worked well, allowing rapid boarding compared with canopied liferafts, particularly important as in certain conditions, compartment damage stability vessels can founder comparatively quickly.

In open waters, survivors are usually transferred from liferafts by helicopter or directly into rescue craft but in the confines of a tidal river a better option may be to tow the liferaft to a  nearby landing point. The Notice reports on various lessons from liferaft towing exercises including the manoeuvrability of liferafts while under tow in fast tidal conditions.

A wealth of other lessons from the exercises are covered, including the importance of crew training, the provision of information for passengers, the stowage of lifejackets, and the considerations when assisting disabled passengers. The development of an onboard Domestic Safety Management System is also addressed in this important and interesting document which can be viewed at http://www.mcga.gov.uk/c4mca/344.pdf

By Peter Barker