Mars Reports 2014
After a rough sea passage the vessel entered harbour and dropped anchor. As this manoeuvre was being completed it was noticed that the starboard man overboard (MOB) life ring had fallen into the sea thus bringing with it the MOB smoke float.
It was found that the securing pin of the life-ring was able to loosen on its own and back off from the as-installed condition. It would appear that the rather light construction of the pin allowed it, through vibration and vessel movement, to move to a point where it self-released.
Lessons learned
- Both pins were modified in order to reduce the vibration effect and keep the pin functionality adequate.
- All fleet vessels were instructed to check related pins and proceed with the modification (as photos) in order to avoid further losses of MOBs.
View relevant pictures by clicking Mars Report 201404- Bridge life ring self- releases issued by The Nautical Institute