Safety Flash
Near-miss: corrosion-related failure of bolts used to secure lifeboat winches
Near-miss: corrosion-related failure of bolts used to secure lifeboat winches
- IMCA
- Safety Flash
- IMCA SF 22/15
- CorrosionEvacuation, Escape and RescueInspection and Maintenance
- CorrosionMechanical failure
- Inspection and maintenance
- LifeboatWinch
- Preventive maintenance
- Marine industry
- Vessel
Summary
A vessel inspection revealed severed lifeboat winch foundation bolts, including failures concealed by paint. Metallurgical examination attributed the failures to intergranular corrosion of an unsuitable alloy. The member replaced the bolts and introduced fleet-wide replacement requirements using galvanised grade 8.8 fasteners, with five-yearly replacement linked to lifeboat load testing.
Classifications: Corrosion; corrosion damage.
Classifications: Mechanical failure; equipment failure.
Classifications: Inspection and maintenance; asset inspection; equipment maintenance.
Classifications: Lifeboat; survival craft.
Classifications: Winch; winches.
Classifications: Preventive maintenance; preventative maintenance; planned maintenance.
Classifications: Marine industry; shipping industry; maritime sector.
Classifications: Vessel; aboard ship; onboard vessel.
Summary
Corrosion caused multiple lifeboat winch foundation bolts to fail, leading to replacement and revised inspection and maintenance arrangements.
IMCA SF 22/15. Themes: corrosion, evacuation, escape and rescue, inspection and maintenance.