Cause & Consequence
- Handling, lifting or carrying
Other Cause & Consequence
Cause unknown. Consequences - unable to undrtake maintenance for 3 weeksContributing Factor
- Change management
Description of Process
Mills Fall Protection Device cracks
Target audience for this alert
OIMs on installations fitted with Mills release gear and FPDs
Lifeboats Technical Authorities and maintainers
Installation Inspectors
Lessons learned
The failure is currently believed to relate solely to Mills OEM equipment.
Description of Incident
During routine 5-yearly NDT inspection, cracks were found in the bottom fork of the FPDs fitted to the Mills release gear on Watercraft lifeboats. Further investigation revealed similar failures on other boats fitted with this combination of equipment.
Why it happened
It is not currently known what the cause of the cracking is. Investigations are continuing.
Good Practice Guidance
Actions – Do not load the lifeboat with pennants in place until these actions have been completed
Installations or vessels with Watercraft lifeboats should confirm whether Mills release gear is fitted to the lifeboats; arrange for NDT inspection of the bottom forks of the pennants; arrange for pennants with cracks to be removed from service and replacement pennants sourced via the Lifeboats maintenance provider.
Contact Details
Alastair Mudie, Tech Safety Discipline Lead, Shell U.K. Ltd - alastair.mudie@shell.comRate this alert
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