Failure of life raft securing strap

What happened?

A life raft from the starboard forward life raft station made an unplanned deployment into the sea.

The incident occurred in early afternoon with calm seas and clear skies.

The life raft remained attached to the painter line and vessel.

The vessel was later able to safely recover the life raft to deck.

Image of sling after the life raft deployment

Why did it happen?

There was a failure of the securing straps designed to hold the life raft in place.

This allowed one life raft to deploy into the sea.

The securing straps had only been installed one-year prior to failure.

The sling parted in the buckle at its weakest point.

The sling material was found to be fragile and part easily, suggesting ultraviolet light (UV) degradation.

The vessel was in operation in the Middle East, with high temperatures and high UV levels.

Sling parted in the buckle at its weakest point

What did they learn?

Conduct inspections of life raft securing straps and associated equipment.

Replace any items which are of concern or appear to be faulty.

Inspection routines for life rafts and lashings should consider the environmental conditions, and all parts of the equipment should be visually inspected and maintained at appropriate intervals.

Verify manufacturer’s instructions with regards to the service life of the securing straps.

UV damage may occur within any region.

Any temporary additional securing arrangements should not affect the ability to launch any life raft.

The torn, frayed fragile life raft securing straps

Ask yourself or your crew

How can something like this happen here?

How often do we inspect life rafts and associated lashings?

Where have you noticed equipment that looks concerning?

Do you operate in weather conditions that could affect the integrity of your equipment?

Have you verified that the equipment you are using can withstand conditions that could affect its integrity?

What happened?

A life raft from the starboard forward life raft station made an unplanned deployment into the sea.
The incident occurred in early afternoon with calm seas and clear skies.
The life raft remained attached to the painter line and vessel.
The vessel was later able to safely recover the life raft to deck.
Why did it happen?

There was a failure of the securing straps designed to hold the life raft in place.
This allowed one life raft to deploy into the sea.
The securing straps had only been installed one-year prior to failure.
The sling parted in the buckle at its weakest point.
The sling material was found to be fragile and part easily, suggesting ultraviolet light (UV) degradation.
The vessel was in operation in the Middle East, with high temperatures and high UV levels.
What did they learn?

Conduct inspections of life raft securing straps and associated equipment.
Replace any items which are of concern or appear to be faulty.
Inspection routines for life rafts and lashings should consider the environmental conditions, and all parts of the equipment should be visually inspected and maintained at appropriate intervals.
Verify manufacturer’s instructions with regards to the service life of the securing straps.
UV damage may occur within any region.
Any temporary additional securing arrangements should not affect the ability to launch any life raft.
Ask yourself or your crew

How can something like this happen here?
How often do we inspect life rafts and associated lashings?
Where have you noticed equipment that looks concerning?
Do you operate in weather conditions that could affect the integrity of your equipment?
Have you verified that the equipment you are using can withstand conditions that could affect its integrity?