(MARS 201862) A tender boat on a passenger ship fell from its stowed position into the water, without warning and without any intervention by the crew.
As edited from the Bahamas Maritime Authority Safety Alert 17-07
The fall was caused by the catastrophic failure of the link that connects the fall block to the release gear hook. The investigation found that, among other things, the actual measured safety factor of the link was less than 5:1. This was well below the required minimum safety factor of 6:1 as specified by the LSA Code. Notwithstanding this less than adequate condition, the immediate cause of the failure was found to be a fatigue fracture.
The initiation of the fracture was attributed to the location of the stainless steel handle which was attached to the straight part of the link. The likely mechanism for the fracture was either corrosion fatigue (galvanic corrosion) or fatigue initiated from a minor indent at the surface.
No one was injured, but the tender itself was a total loss.
Lessons Learned
- Non-destructive testing should be carried out regularly to verify the condition of gear such as links.
- Items such as bolted-on handles should be removed to ensure links can be given a full visual inspection.
- During inspections the dimensions of the connecting links should be measured to ascertain whether there has been any reduction in diameter as a result of corrosion.
- When possible, avoid connecting two metal parts that have different galvanic (sea water environment) values.
MARS Reports
This is one of the October MARS Reports that are part of Report Number 312. A selection of this Report has also been published in SWZ|Maritime’s November issue.
Acknowledgement
Through the kind intermediary of The Nautical Institute we gratefully acknowledge sponsorship provided by:
American Bureau of Shipping, AR Brink & Associates, Britannia P&I Club, Cargill, Class NK, DNV, Gard, IHS Fairplay Safety at Sea International, International Institute of Marine Surveying, Lairdside Maritime Centre, London Offshore Consultants, MOL Tankship Management (Europe) Ltd, Noble Denton, North of England P&I Club, Sail Training International, Shipowners Club, The Marine Society and Sea Cadets, The Swedish Club, UK Hydrographic Office, West of England P&I Club
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