| As INTERTANKO reported in Weekly NEWS No. 4/2006, the IMO’s Standards for Training and Watchkeeping Sub-committee (STW 37) agreed that it was necessary for seafarers on board ships with free-fall lifeboats to have knowledge of the actions to be taken when boarding free-fall lifeboats. All seafarers onboard such vessels should receive familiarisation training in boarding and launching procedures for such lifeboats. The Sub-committee also agreed that seafarers assigned as the operating crew of free-fall lifeboats should undergo training and actually participate in a free-fall launch, on at least one occasion, prior to boarding a vessel fitted with free-fall lifeboats. The following proposed draft amendment to STCW Code Part B-I/14 (supported by INTERTANKO) has been approved by STW 37 with a view to it being adopted at MSC 81. Guidance regarding responsibilities of companies and recommended responsibilities of masters and crew members In section B-I/14 the following text is inserted at the end of paragraph 1: Companies should also ensure that: .1 All seafarers on a vessel fitted with free-fall lifeboats should receive familiarization training in boarding and launching procedures for such lifeboats. .2 Prior to joining a vessel seafarers assigned as operating crew of free-fall lifeboats should have undergone appropriate training in boarding, launching and recovering of such lifeboats including participation on at least one occasion in a free-fall launch. | 
