200439 The Weakest Link

The Weakest Link
MARS Report 200439

Despite the number of years we have now had hydrostatic releases and weak links for liferafts, they continue to be attached incorrectly on a surprising regularity. I recently travelled from Sicily to Stromboli and back again using one catamaran and two separate hydrofoil passenger vessels for different legs of the journey. Initially I noticed one of the liferaft painters on the catamaran was incorrectly attached. Although it was secured to the hydrostatic release, it was not secured to the weak link. On operation the raft would float free but not inflate.

If there are 5 variations of incorrectly attaching the liferaft painter, then all 5 were used in the 6 liferafts I happened to be able to see. The worst, and most obviously incorrect, was on one of the hydrofoils (see photograph). Most disturbing to myself was that I never saw one painter correctly attached on any of the three craft I travelled on.

As a serving Master I know all too well that this situation is not limited to a few short sea craft. On numerous occasions I have had to point out incorrectly attached painters on vessels which I have served on.