The Maritime Department of the Swedish Transport Agency has identified deficiencies in a particular brand of hydrostatic release units for life rafts.
Holders of hydrostatic release units (HRU) are recommended to check if the brand Fenner is on board and to replace them.
It was recently discovered that the Fenner HRU for life rafts did not meet the quality requirements set by the International Maritime Organisation.
Maritime Department surveyors have bought and tested the performance of ten new units and the results showed that nine of the ten tested units did not work according to set requirements.
Lloyds Register, which has type-approved these products, has been informed of the deficiencies and intends to withdraw the products type approval certificate.
The Swedish Transport Agency has informed the shipping industry and owners of hydrostatic release units to replace Fenner HRU with other approved wheel marked brands.
Source:shiptalk
