Immersion Suits – Maintenance and Training

Several recent sinkings of fishing vessels in New England
waters have highlighted the critical role played by immersion suits in surviving such accidents. Sinkings often occur very rapidly, making every second count. It is important that immersion suits function flawlessly, and that crew members are able to don them rapidly and instinctively. Proper maintenance and training are vital to the successful use of this equipment.

U.S. Coast Guard Safety Alert 00-01

Immersion Suits – Maintenance and Training PDF

U.S. Dept of Homeland Security, U.S. Coast Guard

Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circular No. 01-08

Shipboard Inspection and Testing of Immersion Suits PDF

International Maritime Organization
Guidelines for Periodic Testing of Immersion Suit and Anti-exposure suit Seams and Closure PDF

Inadvertent Discharges of Marine Fire Extinguishing Systems, July 21, 2009

This Safety Alert addresses a critical problem involving ANSUL - High Pressure Carbon Dioxide fire extinguishing systems (Coast Guard Approval number 162.038/7). The Coast Guard has become aware of several instances where this particular fire extinguishing system has discharged without human intentional or accidental involvement.

The system manufacturer, ANSUL has identified the suspect CO2 cylinder valves as those having a
date code between 10-07 and 06-08. This date code is located on a flat surface immediately above
the threaded section which enters the cylinder and opposite the discharge outlet. See the attached
ANSUL bulletin for important details.

Bulletin No. 0509 PDF

Inadvertent Discharges of Marine High Pressure Carbon Dioxide Systems, July 16, 2009

If you own, sell or service ANSUL® Marine High Pressure CO2 Systems, please read and
follow the instructions in this bulletin.

We have received isolated reports of Marine High Pressure Carbon Dioxide Systems inadvertently
discharging. In our review of the reported discharges, we have discovered that in some cases, an internal
pressure vent on the cylinder valve may not be adequately venting pressure. Under certain conditions this may cause a cylinder in the system to actuate, which would then cause all cylinders on this specific system
to actuate.

Bulletin No. 5559 PDF

Counterfeit Emergency Escape Breathing Devices (EEBDs), September 19, 2008

The U.S. Coast Guard has recently learned that counterfeit Unitor model UNISCAPE 15H EEBD
Emergency Escape Breathing Devices (EEBDs) are being sold to ship operators and placed onboard
commercial vessels. The U.S. Coast Guard strongly encourages that all vessel owners and
operators with EEBDs onboard carefully and thoroughly inspect them for authenticity. If any doubt
exists as to the authenticity, they should immediately contact their emergency equipment vendors and
/ or the manufacturer for verification or replacement.

Safety Bulletin PDF