2010 Mar 10

Serious safety issue with lifebuoys

Thelma's final report was received by the Norwegian Maritime Directorate on 22 February 2010. The report further states that the buoyancy of the buoys varies. One of the buoys was filled with approximately 3.5 litres of water, which causes a corresponding loss in buoyancy.

Product: EVAL, Lifebuoy Code: 542, Hellas, wheelmark no. 003807
Reference is made to information contained in NMD Safety Message SM 07-2009, revised.

The lifebuoys from EVAL with alleged deficiencies were sent to Thelma testing laboratory in Trondheim. The tests that were carried out intended to determine whether the lifebuoys complied with the requirements for approval in accordance with standards specified in Annex A.1, paragraph 1.1, of the Marine Equipment Directive. This standard is laid down in the IMO regulations for life-saving appliances set out in paragraph 2.1.1.3 of the LSA Code, which applies to lifebuoys.

The test described in the LSA Code assumes that a weight with the mass of 14.5 kg is attached to the relevant lifebuoys before they are exposed to water for a period of 24 hours. If the buoys remain floating after 24 hours of water exposure, the requirements are met.

The buoys were weighed before and after immersion. The filling material was also subject to separate immersion and temperature tests. Thelma's final report was received by the Norwegian Maritime Directorate on 22 February 2010. The report concludes that the lifebuoys from EVAL that were tested by

Thelma complies with paragraph 2.1.1.3 of the LSA Code.

The report further states that the buoyancy of the buoys varies. One of the buoys was filled with approximately 3.5 litres of water, which causes a corresponding loss in buoyancy. The observation may indicate deficiencies in the manufacturing process, which in the worst case could lead to buoys with a lack of buoyancy being released on the marked.


The manufacturer will also purchase testing equipment that measures the long-term impact of a lifebuoy installation.

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