Introduction

The OPITO Offshore Lifeboat Coxswain Initial Training (Twin Fall) is the internationally recognised qualification for personnel designated to operate a twin-fall Totally Enclosed Motor Propelled Survival Craft (TEMPSC) as the coxswain during an offshore emergency abandonment. It is one of the most safety-critical roles on any offshore installation. In a real abandonment, the coxswain is responsible for the safe launch, manoeuvring, and management of a fully loaded survival craft and its passengers.

Unlike the broad emergency awareness covered in BOSIET and FOET programmes, the Offshore Lifeboat Coxswain course is a specialist qualification that trains designated personnel to operate the TEMPSC proficiently and under pressure. The programme is intensive and heavily practical, with OPITO specifying a 25% theory to 75% practical ratio across the 28 guided learning hours. Learners progress from the theory of the coxswain’s role and TEMPSC systems through to hands-on exercises covering pre-launch inspection, engine starting, launching, manoeuvring to a safe area, man overboard response, towing, and passenger disembarkation.

The programme is heavily practical, using real TEMPSC craft at sea to ensure learners gain genuine hands-on experience operating the survival craft before taking on the role offshore. Delivered in accordance with OPITO Product Code 5152, certification is valid for two years.

Who Needs Offshore Lifeboat Coxswain Initial Training?

This programme is required for any offshore worker who has been designated, or is being considered for designation, as the TEMPSC coxswain on a twin-fall installation. Coxswain designation is a formal role assigned by the installation operator or duty holder, and personnel cannot act as coxswain without a valid OPITO certificate. The programme is also appropriate for OIM backup personnel, senior members of the emergency response team, and anyone whose role may require them to operate the survival craft in the absence of the primary designated coxswain. Candidates must already hold a valid BOSIET, T-BOSIET, FOET, T-FOET, T-HUET, or equivalent certificate as a prerequisite.

Scope:

The Offshore Lifeboat Coxswain Initial Training (Twin Fall) programme prepares designated personnel to fulfil the role of TEMPSC coxswain on twin-fall offshore installations. It covers the full range of knowledge and practical skills required to maintain TEMPSC readiness, prepare and inspect the craft for launch, execute a safe launch and abandonment, manoeuvre to a safe area, manage passengers, and coordinate the transfer and disembarkation of survivors.

The programme is structured around five assessed outcomes and is heavily weighted toward practical exercises conducted using an actual TEMPSC. It prepares learners for both standard abandonment procedures and the management of common operational hazards, communications, man overboard response, towing, and emergency steering.

General Course Objectives

The objectives of this training are that learners will be able to:

1. Fully understand the roles and responsibilities of the Offshore Lifeboat Coxswain, including emergency response arrangements, human factors, TEMPSC systems, communications, and weather considerations.
2. Demonstrate the pre-launch inspection, readiness checks, engine starting, and passenger boarding procedures required to prepare the TEMPSC for abandonment.
3. Demonstrate the safe launch of a twin-fall TEMPSC, including activation of protective systems, course determination, and clearing the installation.
4. Demonstrate manoeuvring the TEMPSC to a safe area, including compass navigation, maintaining station, sea anchor use, man overboard retrieval, and towing procedures.
5. Demonstrate the disembarkation and transfer of personnel from the TEMPSC to a rescue craft.

Course Content

Role of the Offshore Lifeboat Coxswain

Theoretical learning provides a comprehensive grounding in the coxswain role and the systems, responsibilities, and considerations relevant to offshore TEMPSC operations:

• Typical offshore emergency response arrangements and the coxswain’s place within the overall muster and abandonment structure
• The role, authority, and responsibilities of the TEMPSC coxswain before, during, and after an abandonment
• Personal preparation: PPE requirements, physical and mental readiness
• Human factors affecting the safety of the coxswain and team members, including stress, fatigue, communication breakdown, and task saturation during an emergency
• Offshore drills and exercises: operation of davits and the brake system, common faults and potential solutions, launching and release mechanisms, and the continual assessment of TEMPSC readiness (engine start, fuel, battery, first aid kit, water, water spray system)
• Briefing passengers on the TEMPSC: content, timing, and communication under stress
• Characteristics of mechanical restraints and their correct removal sequence
• Suspension systems on a twin-fall TEMPSC and maintaining stability on the hooks during launch
• Communications methods and equipment: radio procedures, inter-team communication, and maintaining contact with all parties during the emergency
• Effects of weather and sea state on TEMPSC launch, path, holding pattern, and personnel transfer
• Hazards during boarding and launch; identifying and navigating to a safe area
• Compass use: degrees, headings, and steering to a specified bearing
• Keeping injured personnel comfortable and coordinating their transfer
• Further evacuation procedures and supporting secondary evacuation operations
• Types and uses of PPE relevant to TEMPSC operations

Maintaining Readiness and Preparing the TEMPSC

Practical exercises covering TEMPSC inspection and pre-launch preparation:

• Checking external integrity of the TEMPSC: hull condition, hatches, davit connections, and equipment stowage
• Checking internal integrity of the TEMPSC: seats, harnesses, engine systems, fuel, battery, first aid kit, water, and water spray protection system
• Removal of mechanical restraints that prohibit launch and constraints to passenger boarding
• Starting the TEMPSC engine using both 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

Practical exercises covering the full twin-fall launch sequence:

• Establishing radio communications using correct procedures and 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 considerations during launch
• Recovery of the TEMPSC including astern manoeuvring and identification of common launch hazards

Moving the TEMPSC to a Safe Area

Practical exercises covering TEMPSC navigation, station-keeping, and emergency procedures:

• Selecting and steering to a determined course using compass navigation
• Determining and maintaining the TEMPSC in a safe area, including compass work, communications, weather and sea state management
• Pacing alongside a vessel for personnel transfer
• Deploying the sea anchor and managing the TEMPSC in a holding pattern
• Man overboard procedures: retrieval of personnel from the water
• Maintaining the safety of all personnel on board the TEMPSC
• Towing another vessel and being towed; preparing for personnel transfer
• Emergency steering procedures

Disembarking and Transferring Personnel

Practical exercises covering survivor disembarkation and transfer:

• Preparing to disembark: communications, weather and sea state assessment, and identification of injured personnel
• Disembarking personnel to the rescue craft by sea, managing communications and prioritising the transfer of injured survivors

Prerequisites

• Participants must hold a valid OPITO-approved offshore safety certificate (BOSIET, FOET, T-BOSIET, T-FOET, or T-HUET).
• Participants must hold a valid offshore medical certificate or equivalent medical fitness certification, in accordance with OPITO medical entry requirements.