Subscribe to our Mailing Lists (It's free!)
Thursday, June 26, 2025
SAFETY4SEA
  • Home
  • Safety
    • All
    • Accidents
    • Alerts
    • Loss Prevention
    • Maritime Health
    • Regulation
    • Safety
    • Seafarers
    • Security
    India

    Indian stakeholders warn ship retirement rule may cut 20,000 jobs

    Britannia: Follow safety protocols carefully

    Britannia: Follow safety protocols carefully

    Netherlands

    Fire breaks out aboard inland cargo vessel in the Netherlands

    seafarers

    Regulatory focus: New STCW requirements effective from 2026

  • SEAFiT
    • All
    • Intellectual
    • Mental
    • Physical
    • Social
    • Spiritual
    Book Review: Building leaders the MMMA way

    Book Review: Feel grounded and think positive in 10 simple steps

    time

    Stay SEAFiT: Time is non-renewable – invest it wisely

    public speaking

    8 Key rules of Public Speaking

    social media

    Mindfulness and social media: M.I.N.D. your media

  • Green
    • All
    • Arctic
    • Ballast
    • Emissions
    • Fuels
    • Green Shipping
    • Pollution
    • Ship Recycling
    • Technology
    hydrogen norway

    New green hydrogen facility in Norway aims to launch in 2028

    green shipping recycling

    BIMCO: 16,000 ships could be recycled over the next 10 years

    towngas

    Towngas signs green methanol agreements

    shanghai port

    Shanghai completes world’s fist STS transfer of liquid carbon

  • Smart
    • All
    • Connectivity
    • Cyber Security
    • E-navigation
    • Energy Efficiency
    • Maritime Software
    • Smart
    iaph cyber security

    IAPH releases cyber security guidelines for new port technologies

    germany latvia

    Latvia and Germany collaborate on smart port initiative

    imo autonomous shipping

    IMO in talks over autonomous shipping ahead of MSC 110

    germany latvia

    Smart vessel embarks on its first journey in China

  • Risk
    • All
    • CIC
    • Detentions
    • Fines
    • PSC Focus
    • Vetting
    oil theft nigeria

    Nigeria arrests 76 ships during two-year oil theft crackdown

    paris mou

    M/V Goldy Seven refused access to the Paris MoU

    detention

    Kerala High Court detains vessel in connection to previous incident

    ai remote inspections

    BV develops AI took to advance remote inspections

  • Others
    • All
    • Diversity in shipping
    • Maritime Knowledge
    • Offshore
    • Ports
    • Shipping
    • Sustainability
    • Videos
    US Iran

    US contemplates easing sanctions against Iran to aid recovery

    USA

    Veson Nautical: US boasts 4th largest fleet valued at USD 116.5 bn

    ETF ocean pact

    ETF: Ensure ocean workers are not just consulted but involved

    container ship

    BIMCO Container Outlook: Stable demand despite uncertainties

  • Columns
    fuels

    VPS: Effect of FAME contamination on engine oils

    strait of Hormuz

    Could the Strait of Hormuz close amid an Iran–Israel war?

    LR: Good data is a crucial foundation for improving safety

    ABS Consulting: Make cyber risk part of the daily safety conversation

    Trending Tags

    • Anchor Your Health
    • Book Review
    • Career Paths
    • Human Performance
    • Industry Voices
    • Interviews
    • Maripedia
    • Maritime History
    • Regulatory Update
    • Resilience
    • Seafarers Stories
    • SeaSense
    • Training & Development
    • Wellness Corner
    • Wellness Tips
  • Events
  • Plus
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Safety
    • All
    • Accidents
    • Alerts
    • Loss Prevention
    • Maritime Health
    • Regulation
    • Safety
    • Seafarers
    • Security
    India

    Indian stakeholders warn ship retirement rule may cut 20,000 jobs

    Britannia: Follow safety protocols carefully

    Britannia: Follow safety protocols carefully

    Netherlands

    Fire breaks out aboard inland cargo vessel in the Netherlands

    seafarers

    Regulatory focus: New STCW requirements effective from 2026

  • SEAFiT
    • All
    • Intellectual
    • Mental
    • Physical
    • Social
    • Spiritual
    Book Review: Building leaders the MMMA way

    Book Review: Feel grounded and think positive in 10 simple steps

    time

    Stay SEAFiT: Time is non-renewable – invest it wisely

    public speaking

    8 Key rules of Public Speaking

    social media

    Mindfulness and social media: M.I.N.D. your media

  • Green
    • All
    • Arctic
    • Ballast
    • Emissions
    • Fuels
    • Green Shipping
    • Pollution
    • Ship Recycling
    • Technology
    hydrogen norway

    New green hydrogen facility in Norway aims to launch in 2028

    green shipping recycling

    BIMCO: 16,000 ships could be recycled over the next 10 years

    towngas

    Towngas signs green methanol agreements

    shanghai port

    Shanghai completes world’s fist STS transfer of liquid carbon

  • Smart
    • All
    • Connectivity
    • Cyber Security
    • E-navigation
    • Energy Efficiency
    • Maritime Software
    • Smart
    iaph cyber security

    IAPH releases cyber security guidelines for new port technologies

    germany latvia

    Latvia and Germany collaborate on smart port initiative

    imo autonomous shipping

    IMO in talks over autonomous shipping ahead of MSC 110

    germany latvia

    Smart vessel embarks on its first journey in China

  • Risk
    • All
    • CIC
    • Detentions
    • Fines
    • PSC Focus
    • Vetting
    oil theft nigeria

    Nigeria arrests 76 ships during two-year oil theft crackdown

    paris mou

    M/V Goldy Seven refused access to the Paris MoU

    detention

    Kerala High Court detains vessel in connection to previous incident

    ai remote inspections

    BV develops AI took to advance remote inspections

  • Others
    • All
    • Diversity in shipping
    • Maritime Knowledge
    • Offshore
    • Ports
    • Shipping
    • Sustainability
    • Videos
    US Iran

    US contemplates easing sanctions against Iran to aid recovery

    USA

    Veson Nautical: US boasts 4th largest fleet valued at USD 116.5 bn

    ETF ocean pact

    ETF: Ensure ocean workers are not just consulted but involved

    container ship

    BIMCO Container Outlook: Stable demand despite uncertainties

  • Columns
    fuels

    VPS: Effect of FAME contamination on engine oils

    strait of Hormuz

    Could the Strait of Hormuz close amid an Iran–Israel war?

    LR: Good data is a crucial foundation for improving safety

    ABS Consulting: Make cyber risk part of the daily safety conversation

    Trending Tags

    • Anchor Your Health
    • Book Review
    • Career Paths
    • Human Performance
    • Industry Voices
    • Interviews
    • Maripedia
    • Maritime History
    • Regulatory Update
    • Resilience
    • Seafarers Stories
    • SeaSense
    • Training & Development
    • Wellness Corner
    • Wellness Tips
  • Events
  • Plus
No Result
View All Result
SAFETY4SEA

USCG: Lifeboat air support system cylinder corrosion can be dangerous

by The Editorial Team
October 31, 2024
in Alerts
lifeboat accidents

Credit: Shutterstock

FacebookTwitterEmailLinkedin

USCG has issued a Safety Alert to raise awareness of potential hazards with insufficiently inspected compressed air cylinders used in lifeboat self-contained air support systems for fireprotected lifeboats.

During a routine inspection of an OCS unit that was unmanned and awaiting decommissioning, company personnel discovered a large hole in one of the facility’s lifeboats. Further examination revealed that a cylinder from the self-contained air support system had ruptured, causing the damage. The rupture sent fragments into the overhead flotation chamber of the lifeboat, and one of the three cylinders was lost to the sea, with its condition unknown. The third cylinder remained in its stowage location but showed signs of severe corrosion.

Many lifeboats with these systems store air cylinders horizontally in or just above the bilge area beneath the centerline seats. Although lifeboat canopies are required to be watertight, water ingress/accummulation in the bilges and cylinder storage compartments can be a common occurrence. The lifeboat involved in this incident was designed with a separate compartment to isolate the cylinders from the bilge, but this compartment was also not watertight and had collected several inches of water. Accessing the compressed air cylinders in this lifeboat required the removal of the center divider and seats.

RelatedNews

Industry Voices: Navigating toward safer, harassment-free ships

Key measures for vessels calling at ports in conflict zones

USCG: Lifeboat air support system cylinder corrosion can be dangerous
Image Credit: USCG

An inspection of the intact cylinder and the ruptured cylinder fragment showed significant corrosion. While the exact cause of the corrosion is unknown, it is suspected that the cylinders were partially submerged in water and subjected to accelerated corrosion due to the presence of dissimilar metals. Although stray electrical currents were considered as a potential cause, they were deemed unlikely given the lifeboat’s electrical configuration and the OCS unit’s secured power. 

This incident could have been fatal or caused severe injuries if personnel had been nearby. Despite the cylinders having undergone an annual inspection 14 months prior and being within their hydrostatic testing period, the corrosion went undetected. The cylinders were only five years old, but their condition suggested significant deterioration.

The Coast Guard recommends that owners, manufacturers, operators, and service providers:

• Verify the physical condition of the entire cylinders during annual lifeboat inspections.

Consider inspection methods that provide for visual inspection of all air cylinders in their entirety (e.g. fully accessing the storage compartment or using inspection cameras to view all cylinder surfaces while in their stowage location).

• Ensure air cylinder stowage compartments are maintained in a dry condition

• Ensure that the air cylinders are inspected and maintained in accordance with 46 CFR 147.60, applicable to USCG approved lifeboats through 46 CFR 160.135-7(b)(25).  These cites invoke 49 CFR 180 that addresses corrosion and abraded areas, among other signs of defect or damage.

• Implement training for all personnel responsible for lifeboat maintenance or operation to provide awareness of the necessity for proper maintenance and inspection of lifeboat compressed air cylinders for all types of cylinder construction.

• Consider approved design changes that provide for routine access to all portions of the cylinders for proper inspection and maintenance.

The Coast Guard also recommends that appropriate safety measures are implemented for any lifeboats that are not in active service (e.g. spare boats or boats removed from service for maintenance) or are part of an inspected vessel or unit that is no longer in active service. Safety measures could include, but are not limited to, bleeding pressure from the cylinders, removal of the cylinders from the lifeboat, or continuing regular inspection of the cylinders.
USCG: Lifeboat air support system cylinder corrosion can be dangerousUSCG: Lifeboat air support system cylinder corrosion can be dangerous
USCG: Lifeboat air support system cylinder corrosion can be dangerousUSCG: Lifeboat air support system cylinder corrosion can be dangerous
Tags: best practiceslife-saving equipmentlifeboatsmaintenancesafety measuresUSCGUSCG Alerts
Previous Post

USCG: Serious risks of working near open rotary machinery

Next Post

Lessons learned: Trust your experience

Related News

RMI
Security

RMI: Vessels linked to the US or Israel must operate at Security Level 3

June 24, 2025
iaph cyber security
Cyber Security

IAPH releases cyber security guidelines for new port technologies

June 24, 2025
LR: Good data is a crucial foundation for improving safety
Opinions

ABS Consulting: Make cyber risk part of the daily safety conversation

June 23, 2025
CINS
Loss Prevention

CINS issues guidance on shipping lithium-ion cells in containers

June 23, 2025
Maersk Israel
Ports

Maersk suspends vessel calls at the Port of Haifa, Israel

June 20, 2025
bunker supplies
Fuels

Steamship Mutual: Guidance on vetting bunker suppliers

June 19, 2025

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Explore more

No Result
View All Result
MARITIME EVENTS

Explore

  • Safety
  • SEAFiT
  • Green
  • Smart
  • Risk
  • Others
  • SAFETY4SEA Events
  • SAFETY4SEA Plus Subscription

Useful Links

  • About
  • Disclaimer
  • Editorial Policies
  • Advertising
  • Content Marketing
  • Contact

© 2025 SAFETY4SEA

No Result
View All Result
  • Safety
    • Accidents
    • Alerts
    • Loss Prevention
    • Maritime Health
    • Regulation
    • Safety
    • Seafarers
    • Security
  • SEAFiT
    • Intellectual
    • Mental
    • Physical
    • Social
    • Spiritual
  • Green
    • Arctic
    • Ballast
    • Emissions
    • Fuels
    • Green Shipping
    • Pollution
    • Ship Recycling
    • Technology
  • Smart
    • Connectivity
    • Cyber Security
    • E-navigation
    • Energy Efficiency
    • Maritime Software
    • Smart
  • Risk
    • CIC
    • Detentions
    • Fines
    • PSC Case Studies
    • PSC Focus
    • Vetting
  • Others
    • Diversity in shipping
    • Maritime Knowledge
    • Offshore
    • Ports
    • Shipping
    • Sustainability
    • Videos
  • Columns
    • Anchor Your Health
    • Book Review
    • Career Paths
    • Human Performance
    • Industry Voices
    • Interviews
    • Maripedia
    • Maritime History
    • Opinions
    • Regulatory Update
    • Resilience
    • Seafarers Stories
    • SeaSense
    • Tip of the day
    • Training & Development
    • Wellness Corner
    • Wellness Tips
  • SAFETY4SEA Events
  • SAFETY4SEA Plus Subscription

© 2025 SAFETY4SEA

Manage your privacy
We use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. We do this to improve browsing experience and to show (non-) personalized ads. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
Functional Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
Manage options Manage services Manage {vendor_count} vendors Read more about these purposes
Manage options
{title} {title} {title}
No Result
View All Result
  • Safety
    • Accidents
    • Alerts
    • Loss Prevention
    • Maritime Health
    • Regulation
    • Safety
    • Seafarers
    • Security
  • SEAFiT
    • Intellectual
    • Mental
    • Physical
    • Social
    • Spiritual
  • Green
    • Arctic
    • Ballast
    • Emissions
    • Fuels
    • Green Shipping
    • Pollution
    • Ship Recycling
    • Technology
  • Smart
    • Connectivity
    • Cyber Security
    • E-navigation
    • Energy Efficiency
    • Maritime Software
    • Smart
  • Risk
    • CIC
    • Detentions
    • Fines
    • PSC Case Studies
    • PSC Focus
    • Vetting
  • Others
    • Diversity in shipping
    • Maritime Knowledge
    • Offshore
    • Ports
    • Shipping
    • Sustainability
    • Videos
  • Columns
    • Anchor Your Health
    • Book Review
    • Career Paths
    • Human Performance
    • Industry Voices
    • Interviews
    • Maripedia
    • Maritime History
    • Opinions
    • Regulatory Update
    • Resilience
    • Seafarers Stories
    • SeaSense
    • Tip of the day
    • Training & Development
    • Wellness Corner
    • Wellness Tips
  • SAFETY4SEA Events
  • SAFETY4SEA Plus Subscription

© 2025 SAFETY4SEA