200847 Liferaft remote hydrostatic release malfunction

Official report: US Coast Guard Alert 4-07

 

An investigation into the circumstances surrounding a recent passenger ship grounding revealed difficulties the crew had in manually deploying the vessel's liferafts from their mounting cradles.

 

The liferafts were fitted with individual 'Hammar' manual remote release system (MRRS), with manually operated vacuum pump units. When operated, the pump evacuates a small bore pipe, actuating the corresponding hydrostatic release unit. In this case a large number of those pumps failed to activate the hydrostatic release units and, ultimately, the crew had to cut the liferaft canister lashings manually. The crew was able to launch all of the vessel's liferafts successfully in this manner.

The casualty investigation is not complete and additional recommendations are likely to follow. However in the interim, the United States Coast Guard strongly recommends that Hammar MRRS vacuum pump units, as well as all other survival equipment, be maintained in accordance with the manufacturer's recommended maintenance schedules.

MRRS pump units are clearly marked on the cylinder housing, 'Lubricate piston every second year'. The pumps that failed had not been lubricated as required. The malfunctioning MRRS pumps were replaced in kind with new units; USCG inspection showed that these operated properly.

Owners, operators, port engineers, inspectors and others involved in vessel safety should ensure that all appropriate steps are taken to properly maintain survival equipment.