Lifeboat Coxswain Training

Lifeboat Coxswain Training is a PT Samson Tiara certified course designed for personnel who are designated, or may be designated, to operate a twin-fall Totally Enclosed Motor Propelled Survival Craft (TEMPSC) as coxswain during an offshore emergency abandonment.

The lifeboat coxswain role is one of the most safety-critical positions during an offshore abandonment. In an emergency, the coxswain is responsible for preparing the survival craft, managing passengers, launching safely, manoeuvring away from the installation, maintaining control of the craft, responding to emergency situations, and supporting the transfer or disembarkation of survivors.

The course provides practical training in the knowledge and skills required to maintain TEMPSC readiness, prepare the craft for launch, board and brief passengers, operate the launch sequence, manoeuvre to a safe area, respond to man overboard situations, conduct towing and pacing operations, and manage survivor transfer and disembarkation.

This course is intended for clients who require practical lifeboat coxswain training but do not require OPITO certification. Personnel who require OPITO certification should enrol in the relevant OPITO-approved Offshore Lifeboat Coxswain Initial Training programme.

This course is suitable for personnel who are designated, or may be considered for designation, as lifeboat coxswains on offshore installations or vessels, including:

• Personnel designated as TEMPSC coxswains
• Emergency response team members
• OIM backup personnel
• Senior personnel involved in offshore emergency response
• Marine and offshore support personnel
• Personnel who may be required to operate a survival craft in the absence of the primary coxswain
• Personnel who require practical lifeboat coxswain training but do not require OPITO certification

The course is delivered through classroom instruction and practical exercises using a twin-fall Totally Enclosed Motor Propelled Survival Craft (TEMPSC).

Training includes theory, pre-launch preparation, passenger boarding, launch procedures, practical manoeuvring, communications, man overboard response, towing, pacing, transfer, and disembarkation exercises.

Upon successful completion of this course, delegates should be able to demonstrate the knowledge and practical skills required to act as a lifeboat coxswain within the scope of the training.

Delegates will develop knowledge and practical capability in:

• Understanding the roles and responsibilities of the lifeboat coxswain.
• Understanding emergency response arrangements and the coxswain’s role within muster and abandonment procedures.
• Understanding human factors that may affect the coxswain and crew during an emergency.
• Maintaining TEMPSC operational readiness.
• Conducting pre-launch inspections and readiness checks.
• Preparing the TEMPSC for passenger boarding and launch.
• Starting the TEMPSC engine using primary and secondary start systems.
• Managing passenger boarding, briefing, and restraint requirements.
• Establishing radio communications and confirming the launch area is clear.
• Launching the twin-fall TEMPSC safely.
• Activating appropriate protective systems.
• Determining course and clearing the installation.
• Manoeuvring the TEMPSC to a safe area.
• Using compass navigation and maintaining station.
• Deploying and managing the sea anchor.
• Responding to man overboard situations.
• Conducting towing, pacing, and transfer preparation.
• Applying emergency steering procedures.
• Managing survivor disembarkation and transfer to a rescue craft.

Role of the Lifeboat Coxswain

• Offshore Emergency Response Arrangements
• Role, Authority, and Responsibilities of the TEMPSC Coxswain
• Personal Preparation and PPE Requirements
• Human Factors Affecting the Coxswain and Team Members
• Offshore Drills and Exercises
• Davits, Brake Systems, Launching and Release Mechanisms
• Continual Assessment of TEMPSC Readiness
• Passenger Briefing and Communication Under Stress
• Mechanical Restraints and Correct Removal Sequence
• Twin-Fall Suspension Systems and Stability on the Hooks
• Communications Methods and Equipment
• Weather and Sea State Considerations
• Hazards During Boarding and Launch
• Compass Use, Headings, and Steering to a Specified Bearing
• Keeping Injured Personnel Comfortable and Coordinating Transfer
• Further Evacuation Procedures
• PPE Relevant to TEMPSC Operations

Maintaining Readiness and Preparing the TEMPSC

• External Integrity Checks of the TEMPSC
• Hull Condition, Hatches, Davit Connections, and Equipment Stowage
• Internal Integrity Checks of the TEMPSC
• Seats, Harnesses, Engine Systems, Fuel, Battery, First Aid Kit, Water, and Water Spray Protection System
• Removal of Mechanical Restraints
• Passenger Boarding Constraints
• Starting the TEMPSC Engine Using Primary and Secondary Start Systems
• Boarding the TEMPSC
• PPE Donning
• Survival Craft and Equipment Checks
• Suspension System Verification
• Embarkation Procedure and Stability Considerations

Preparing to Launch and Launching the TEMPSC

• Establishing Radio Communications
• Confirming the Launch Area Is Clear
• Operating the Lowering and Launching Mechanism
• Executing the Release Mechanism Sequence
• Securing Hatches
• Activating Air and Water Spray Protection Systems
• Determining Course
• Clearing the Installation
• Identifying the Safe Area
• Briefing the Crew
• Issuing Launch Orders
• Managing Weather and Sea State During Launch
• Recovery of the TEMPSC
• Astern Manoeuvring
• Common Launch Hazards

Moving the TEMPSC to a Safe Area

• Selecting and Steering to a Determined Course Using Compass Navigation
• Determining and Maintaining the TEMPSC in a Safe Area
• Communications During TEMPSC Operations
• Weather and Sea State Management
• Pacing Alongside a Vessel for Personnel Transfer
• Deploying the Sea Anchor
• Managing the TEMPSC in a Holding Pattern
• Man Overboard Procedures
• Retrieval of Personnel from the Water
• Maintaining the Safety of Personnel on Board
• Towing Another Vessel and Being Towed
• Preparing for Personnel Transfer
• Emergency Steering Procedures

Disembarking and Transferring Personnel

• Preparing to Disembark
• Communications Prior to Transfer
• Weather and Sea State Assessment
• Identification of Injured Personnel
• Disembarking Personnel to a Rescue Craft by Sea
• Managing Communications During Transfer
• Prioritising the Transfer of Injured Survivors

This is a PT Samson Tiara certified Lifeboat Coxswain Training course. It is not an OPITO-certified Offshore Lifeboat Coxswain Initial Training course. Personnel who require OPITO certification should enrol in the relevant OPITO-approved programme.

Delegates must provide a valid offshore medical certificate or equivalent medical fitness certification.

Unlike the OPITO-certified programme, this PT Samson Tiara certified course does not require delegates to hold an OPITO BOSIET, T-BOSIET, FOET, T-FOET, or T-HUET certificate as a prerequisite, unless required by the client or duty holder.

Delegates must successfully complete the course based on the required performance standards in order to receive certification.

Delegates who successfully complete the course and meet the required performance standards will receive:

• PT Samson Tiara Lifeboat Coxswain Training certificate.
• Laminated wallet course qualification card.