When I was at sea in the 1960's it was common for merchant ships to test their lifeboats once a voyage, particularly if they were fitted with engines. It would seem that the practice of Lifeboat testing is still a necessity because I have often seen ship's lifeboats being tested in Ports and Harbours across the World. On the 30th of July 2022 I was on a short excursion on the preserved steam ship SS Shieldhall to be a spectator of some of that days Cowes Week yacht racing programme. On the outward leg of the journey to the Solent, I was able to see and photograph the MSC Virtuosa's Lifeboat number 18 being tested and undergoing maintenance in Southampton's Western docks.