USCG Safety Alert – Important – Potentially Flawed PFDs
United States Coast Guard
Inspections and Compliance Directorate
Washington, DC
June 18, 2018
Safety Alert 11 -18
A PFD that’s Unwearable
Makes an Emergency Situation Unbearable!
http://www.jimbuoy.com/pages/marine/preservers.htm#
This safety alert raises awareness of a potentially dangerous circumstance involving Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs). During several inspections involving different vessels, Coast Guard personnel discovered a significant number (>100) of unwearable type 1 PFDs that would have presented a problem for users if needed in an emergency. Owners and operators are reminded that regulations require PFDs onboard vessels to be wearable and in serviceable condition.
Normally, when a wearer dons the type of PFD shown, a person grabs both sides of the vest to pull the sides apart and the waist band strap moves freely through a slit opening (see photographs 1 and 2). The user is then able to easily don the PFD by placing it over the head, passing the strap around the body, clipping the end onto the securing D-ring, and tightening the strap securely.
During recent PFD inspections, inspectors discovered that the securing strap was secured at its bitter end, and was also fused to the side of the PFD by what appeared to be the shell coating or color matching material (see photographs 3 and 4). As a result, a user is unable to separate the halves of the PFD to open the gap and place over the head to wear.
Based on the number of problematic PFDs discovered, the Coast Guard is strongly recommending that owners and operators using this type of PFD inspect each one for this condition. If problematic PFDs are discovered, owners and operators are encouraged to report their findings to the Coast Guard Office of Design and Engineering Standards via email to: TypeApproval@uscg.mil. Please include the name of manufacturer, design number, lot numbers, and quantity of PFDs impacted. Also indicate if the coating had been touched up at any time, and the total number of similar unaffected PFDs onboard.
Note: The Coast Guard is deliberately not indicating the manufacturer’s name until additional details and the scope of the potential problem are fully known.
This Safety Alert is provided for informational purposes only and does not relieve any domestic or international safety, operational, or material requirements. Developed by USCG Sector New York Inspections Department and
distributed by the Office of Investigations and Analysis. Questions may be sent to HQS-PF-fldr-CG-INV@uscg.mil.
- Published in Safety Bulletins
FWC reminds scallopers to stay safe, recognize and use divers-down flags and buoys
With the opening of scallop seasons fast approaching, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) wants to remind everyone engaged in this fun outdoor activity to use a divers-down warning device whenever they are snorkeling or scuba diving while searching for these tasty treats.
The divers-down symbol is rectangular or square and red in color with a white diagonal stripe. A divers-down flag displayed on a boat must be at least 20 inches by 24 inches and displayed at the highest point where it can be observed from 360 degrees around the vessel. A buoy may not be used or displayed from a vessel. A divers-down flag or buoy, displayed from the water, must be at least 12 inches by 12 inches. A flag must have a wire or other stiffener to hold it open, and a buoy may be three- or four-sided.
All divers must prominently display a divers-down device in the area in which the diving occurs.
“Displaying and understanding what constitutes a proper divers-down symbol are critical,” said Capt. Tom Shipp of FWC’s Boating and Waterways Section. “These safety devices are meant to alert boaters to the presence of people under the water’s surface and to give them plenty of room.”
All vessels must make reasonable effort to stay at least 100 feet away from a divers-down device within a river, inlet or channel. In open waters, vessels must make reasonable effort to stay 300 feet away. For safety, divers should stay within those same distances of their displayed device. A vessel that approaches closer must be fully off plane and at idle speed.
“Divers share the responsibility of boating safety with the boat operators,” Shipp said. “Diving without the divers-down symbol properly displayed or using it for reasons other than to inform others of the presence of divers is unlawful.”
The divers-down device should only be displayed when divers are in the water. When divers or snorkelers exit the water, it must be taken down.
More information on divers-down requirements is available online at MyFWC.com/Boating by clicking on “Boating Regulations” and “Divers-Down Devices.”
For more information on the 2018 scallop season dates and bay scallop regulations, visit MyFWC.com/Fishing and click on “Saltwater Fishing,” “Recreational Regulations” and “Bay Scallops.”
FWC photo by Tim Donovan.
- Published in News
Hammar USCG Approval
Hammer USCG Approved for Small Rafts
The Hammar H20 Small Raft model (HR-0200) is now USCG approved.
The H20 Small Raft model (green label) is used for USCG approved liferafts < 6 persons and all recreational rafts up to 12 persons. The weak link system has a breaking strength of 1,2 +- 0,4kN and therefor suitable for small rafts. The Hammar H20’s needs no annual service, maintenance or spare parts, but must be replaced after 2 years of use on a boat. USCG approval no 160.062/14/10.https://www.datrex.com/shop/browse-products/hammar-h20-for-small-rafts-ha200h/ |

- Published in News
HAMMAR NEW SECURITY MARKING
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- Published in News
Kidde Fire Extinguisher Recall
Please refer to this site to see if your fire extinguisher is on the recall list:
http://www.kidde.com/home-safety/en/us/support/product-alerts/recall-kidde-fire-extinguisher/
- Published in Safety Bulletins
Safety Alert – Apparent zipper adhesive failure impacting immersion suits.
- Published in Safety Bulletins
USCG Reminds You to Inspect Your Inflatable Lifejackets
- Published in Safety Bulletins
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