Posted: March 23, 2018

U.S. Coast Guard Marine Safety Alert: Immersion suits need to be inspected for flaw in attachment of main zipper to body of suit


Following the discovery of a significant flaw in immersion suits during a port state control inspection, the U.S. Coast Guard has issued a Marine Safety Alert highlighting the failure of the glue used to attach the main zipper to the body of the suit. The alert notes: "Failure of the suit at this location will prevent the suit from achieving a watertight seal. Such conditions present serious risk to crewmembers in a survival situation."

The U.S. Coast Guard "strongly recommends that vessel operators inspect their Immersion Suits for this potential unsafe condition." Safety Alert 3-18 is available online.