Liferaft automatic release mechanisms
The Department of Transport examine the effectiveness of liferaft automatic release mechanisms to prevent premature activation of those mechanisms on small fishing vessels in rough sea conditions.
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Marine transportation safety investigation report
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|---|---|
| Date the recommendation was issued |
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| Date of the latest response |
April 2005
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| Date of the latest assessment |
July 2001
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| Rating of the latest response |
Fully Satisfactory
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| File status |
Closed
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All responses are those of the stakeholders to the TSB in written communications and are reproduced in full. The TSB corrects typographical errors in the material it reproduces without indication but uses brackets [ ] to show other changes or to show that part of the response was omitted because it was not pertinent.
Summary of the occurrence
While crossing from Les Escoumins to Rimouski, Quebec, the Brier Mist swamped and sank some 10 miles offshore. The wreck was never found, two persons were recovered deceased and the other three crewmembers were missing.
The Board identified safety deficiencies with respect to the inspection of hatch covers on small fishing vessels, the lack of liferaft automatic release mechanisms and the absence of reliable means for indicating positions in emergency situations. The Board made four recommendations (recommendations M00-06, M00-07, M00-08, and M00-09).
The Board concluded its investigation and released Marine Investigation Report M98L0149 on 06 December 2000.
Rationale for the recommendation
The Board has expressed its concern that the absence of automatic release mechanisms on liferafts on small fishing vessels needlessly compromises the chances of survival of crews in an emergency at sea when the liferaft goes down with the vessel. As the chances of survival of fishermen on abandoning the vessel depend on launching the liferafts, and considering the extremely difficult conditions in which abandonments are often carried out on small fishing vessels, the Board is of the opinion that liferafts should be easy to release when the vessel sinks in order to allow the crew members to access the liferafts on abandoning ship.
Accordingly, the Board recommends that:
The Department of Transport examine the effectiveness of liferaft automatic release mechanisms to prevent premature activation of those mechanisms on small fishing vessels in rough sea conditions.
Transportation Safety Recommendation M00-08
Previous responses and assessments
May 2001: Transport Canada's response to Recommendation M00-08
The Department of Transport notes TSB Recommendation M00-08 and the response indicates that float-free arrangements as well as the issue of premature activation of release mechanisms will be discussed at the November 2001 CMAC meeting as part of the work of the Standing Committee on Fishing Vessel Safety.
Latest response and assessment
July 2001: Board assessment of the response to Recommendation M00-08
Since there is no proposal of any specific measures, nor is there a definite schedule in place to implement the recommendation, the staff considers the response to Recommendation M00-08 as having "Satisfactory Intent"”". The staff will monitor the results of the November 2001 CMAC meeting and any other action taken on the subject.
April 2005: Board reassessment of the response to Recommendation M00-08
Premature activation of release mechanisms were discussed at the November 2001 CMAC meeting. One failure related to a lack of an expiry date on the unit. Transport Canada (TC) has recently received notification from the United States Coast Guard of defective hydrostatic releases being found in use on vessels, in North America. Subsequent investigation found that these defective units had not been tested and approved to the internationally accepted standard. Ship Safety Bulletin 01/2002 was issued 24 January 2002 to remind owners and operators that hydrostatic release units that are fitted on Canadian vessels as float-free devices must be approved by TC. The actions taken by TC fully satisfy the intent of the recommendation.
Therefore, the response to the recommendation is considered to be Fully Satisfactory.
File status
The TSB will monitor TC’s progress on its planned actions.
This deficiency file is Closed.