http://gcaptain.disqus.com/A blog about ships!enWed, 28 May 2008 10:18:28 -0000http://gcaptain.com/maritime/blog/freefall-lifeboats-is-there-a-safer-way/#comment-1350899Agreed, especially aboard ships on coastal trades or supporting the oil and gas industry close to shore.JohnWed, 28 May 2008 10:18:28 -0000http://gcaptain.com/maritime/blog/freefall-lifeboats-is-there-a-safer-way/#comment-1350903With the exception of passenger ships, standard lifeboats on merchant ships should be eliminated. Instead merchant mariners should rely on some sort of RIB style rescue boat and life rafts. The so-called "rescue boat" on my ship is 90 feet from the water, it rough weather it would be very risky to attempt any kind of rescue if the ship was rolling more then a few degrees. Same goes for abandon ship. The situation regarding lifeboat/rescue boats today is unacceptable.Kennebec_CaptainWed, 28 May 2008 06:02:16 -0000http://gcaptain.com/maritime/blog/freefall-lifeboats-is-there-a-safer-way/#comment-1350901Looks like a wild ride.timTue, 27 May 2008 18:48:50 -0000