Safety Flash
Stuck emergency hatch freed
Stuck emergency hatch freed
- IMCA
- Safety Flash
- IMCA SF 26/21
- Evacuation, Escape and RescueInspection and MaintenanceLeadership and Culture
- CorrosionLeadership and safety culture
- Inspection and maintenance
- Evacuation, escape and rescuePreventive maintenance
- Marine industry
- Vessel
Summary
An onboard inspection found a rusted emergency escape hatch that could not be opened. The flash identifies poor maintenance culture, neglected safety responsibility and crew unfamiliarity with the hatch’s importance. Actions include keeping escape routes unobstructed, adding hatch inspections to planned maintenance and maintaining greased hinges.
Classifications: Corrosion; corrosion damage.
Classifications: Leadership and safety culture; safety culture; safety leadership.
Classifications: Inspection and maintenance; asset inspection; equipment maintenance.
Classifications: Evacuation, escape and rescue; EER; escape and rescue.
Classifications: Preventive maintenance; preventative maintenance; planned maintenance.
Classifications: Marine industry; shipping industry; maritime sector.
Classifications: Vessel; aboard ship; onboard vessel.
Summary
It was discovered, during an inspection onboard, that the emergency escape hatch leading from the steering gear compartment to the main deck walkway on the starboard side, was rusted shut, stuck and could not be opened.
IMCA SF 26/21. Themes: evacuation, escape and rescue, inspection and maintenance, leadership and culture.