Deficiencies in hydrostatic release units for liferafts

Cause & Consequence

• Other

Incident Location

Any Location Type

Incident Activity

Lifting, crane, rigging, deck operations

Incident Info Source

Step change in safety

Specific Incident Equipment

The Maritime Department of the Swedish Transport Agency has identified deficiencies in a particular brand of hydrostatic release units for liferafts. Holders of hydrostatic release units are recommended to check if the brand Fenner is on board and, if so, replace them.

Lessons Identified

Lloyds Register, which has type approved these products, has been informed of the deficiencies and intends to withdraw the product’s type approval certificate.

Incident Recommendations

The Swedish Transport Agency would like to alert the shipping industry and owners of hydrostatic release units to investigate whether Fenner HRU is on board and, if so, immediately replace them with other type approved wheel marked brands.