In a recent IMCA report, the association informs of an incident when the port side emergency exit to deck from the steering gear room failed to open during an inspection, due to inappropriate locking arrangements.
The incident
A port side emergency exit to deck from the steering gear room failed to open during an inspection by shore-side management. What is more, inappropriate locking arrangements were found used for various emergency exit hatches located on both sides of the main deck.
Probable cause
According to IMCA, there were inappropriate locking arrangements for emergency exit hatches and theseshould not be used. This practice could have caused a potentially hazardous situation where the hatch could not be opened.
Lessons learned
- In accordance to the company’s planned maintenance schedule, the correct and full operation of all watertight doors and escape hatches should be checked on a weekly basis;
- Safety inspections and maintenance of critical equipment should be conducted in an effective manner.
