Safety notice on Hyundai Lifeboats “TALON II 4.0” on-load release mechanism

22 September 2016  |  C16025

A manufacturing defect on Hyundai lifeboats has been identified

NOTICE TO
Ship Owners / Managers / Operators  |  Ship Masters  | Surveyors

A ship’s lifeboats had been “re-hooked” for compliance with SOLAS III/1.5 and MSC.1/Circ.1392. As per the makers manual, when the hook and the hydrostatic interlock are correctly reset the interlock indicator on the release mechanism should point to the green sector of the position indicator markings.

During a PSC inspection on board a ship it was noted that the position indicator markings for the hydrostatic interlock were incorrectly marked with the red and green sectors being reversed.  PSC made the decision to detain the ship based on the incorrect marking of the hydrostatic interlock indicators.

As per LSA code: “If colour coding is used, green shall indicate a properly reset hook and red shall indicate danger of improper or incorrect setting”. In this case the improper marking could potentially have led to improper resetting or operation of the on load release system.

The photo below shows the defective colour marking on the release handle hydrostatic interlock indicator, as well as how it should be.

Act now

Owners/Managers/Masters of ships with lifeboats fitted with Hyundai Lifeboat TALON II 4.0, 6.0 or 9.0 on load release hooks should inspect the hydrostatic interlock position indicator markings on the release mechanisms installed in their lifeboats to ensure that they are correctly marked as per the manufacturer’s instructions. It is also to be ensured that clear operating instructions satisfying paragraph 4.4.7.6.11 of the LSA Code are provided within all lifeboats for the actual on load release systems installed on the lifeboat.

Dromon Head Office need to be advised where markings are found to be incorrect and the manufacturers are also to be contacted in order to arrange for the defect to be rectified.