The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) has issued a Marine Safety Alert regarding the material condition of aging fiberglass lifeboats.
The U.S. Coast Guard is investigating a marine casualty in which a lifeboat suffered a fiberglass failure at the base of the hook release during launch, causing it to fall into the water and resulting in a total loss. The lifeboat was constructed in 2002, making it 23 years old at the time of the incident. The incident occurred despite regular manufacturer-recommended inspections.
The incident highlights the importance of thoroughly assessing the condition of lifeboat fiberglass structures, metal components, and release mechanisms, particularly for older lifeboats that have experienced prolonged exposure to the marine environment, as neither U.S. regulations nor SOLAS establishes a maximum service life for lifeboats.
Marine Safety Alert 12-26 highlights the importance of thorough inspection and maintenance of lifeboat release systems. The alert urges lifeboat owners, operators, manufacturers, and service providers to conduct detailed inspections to identify deterioration or compromised fiberglass between metal plates, replace components showing signs of excessive wear or degradation, and adhere to manufacturer-recommended inspection and maintenance intervals. In addition, marine inspectors, port state control officers, surveyors, and servicing technicians should maintain heightened awareness of potential structural deficiencies, release-mechanism deficiencies and ensure that appropriate corrective actions are taken when deficiencies are identified.
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