Recommendation Date
Recipient Name
MNZ
Text
The wire pennants parted under tensile overload because they had all been significantly weakened by severe corrosion. Corrosion had gone undetected inside a plastic sheathing that the manufacturer of the lifting sling had placed around the wire pennants.
The presence of the plastic sheathing encasing the wire rope meant that neither the crew nor the various surveyors tasked with inspecting the launching system could inspect and maintain the wire rope as required by SOLAS.
Encasing steel wire in plastic sheathing when it is to be used in the marine environment has significant implications for maritime safety, especially when the wire must be regularly inspected and maintained in order to remain fit for purpose.
On 26 February 2015 the Commission recommended that the Director of Maritime New Zealand, through the port and flag state control programme, verify that wires that require regular inspection and maintenance by a ship’s crew and surveyors are readily accessible and easily maintained as required by Chapter VI of the International Life-Saving Appliance Code.
The presence of the plastic sheathing encasing the wire rope meant that neither the crew nor the various surveyors tasked with inspecting the launching system could inspect and maintain the wire rope as required by SOLAS.
Encasing steel wire in plastic sheathing when it is to be used in the marine environment has significant implications for maritime safety, especially when the wire must be regularly inspected and maintained in order to remain fit for purpose.
On 26 February 2015 the Commission recommended that the Director of Maritime New Zealand, through the port and flag state control programme, verify that wires that require regular inspection and maintenance by a ship’s crew and surveyors are readily accessible and easily maintained as required by Chapter VI of the International Life-Saving Appliance Code.
Reply Text
This recommendation will be incorporated into our PSC mentoring and oversight program. We anticipate this will be integrated into our standard PSC inspections by the end of 2015.
Related Investigation(s)