(MARS 201877) During recent US Coast Guard inspections, it was discovered that the securing strap of many lifejackets produced by a particular manufacturer were defective.
As edited from US Coast Guard Safety Alert 1118
The securing strap was fused at a point where it should have allowed sliding movement. As a result, a user would not be able to separate the halves of the personal flotation device (PFD) to allow proper donning of the vest.
1 shows a proper lifejacket while 2 shows a defective example.
Lessons Learned
- Lifejackets are there to save your life – inspect them regularly and with diligence.
Picture (top) by Santeri Viinamäki.
MARS Reports
This is one of the December MARS Reports that are part of Report Number 314. A selection of this Report has also been published in SWZ|Maritime’s January issue.
Acknowledgement
Through the kind intermediary of The Nautical Institute we gratefully acknowledge sponsorship provided by:
American Bureau of Shipping, AR Brink & Associates, Britannia P&I Club, Cargill, Class NK, DNV, Gard, IHS Fairplay Safety at Sea International, International Institute of Marine Surveying, Lairdside Maritime Centre, London Offshore Consultants, MOL Tankship Management (Europe) Ltd, Noble Denton, North of England P&I Club, Sail Training International, Shipowners Club, The Marine Society and Sea Cadets, The Swedish Club, UK Hydrographic Office, West of England P&I Club
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