If you are already leaking and listing 15 degrees I think it difficult to launch life boats from such a vessel as they appear stowed.There is an excellent ongoing thread over on CruisersForum, a sailing website.
http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f122/safety-of-ships-lifeboats-in-major-storms-153992.html
Here is a 4 minute youtube video showing a world-record freefall lifeboat drop from 200 feet up.
Here is an “easy” 45’ drop. These are installed on many ships around the world. Think “Captain Phillips” and the Maersk Alabama.
If you are already leaking and listing 15 degrees I think it difficult to launch life boats from such a vessel as they appear stowed.200’ drop... went there for the drop, stayed the entire 4 minutes to listen to the Stones. There are only so many angles and speeds you can show a launch hitting the water... ;-)