Eureka wire locks
- Safety Flash
- Published on 1 May 1999
- Generated on 4 November 2025
- IMCA SF 03/99
- 2 minute read
An incident which involved the inadvertent release of a taut wire dump weight recently occurred on a member’s vessel.
What happened?
The incident itself did not result in any injury, damage or loss of position. DP trials were being conducted in open water and the taut wire dropped to the seabed.
Our member’s investigation revealed the following:
The cause of the incident was due to the wire being pulled through a Eureka wire lock. This occurrence, identified a discrepancy between the manufacturer’s recommendations and guidance available on the use of these wire locks.
The manufacturer recommends the use of a single wire lock clamp to make an end termination. However, the International Rigging and Lifting Handbook (1997 edition), printed by North Sea Lifting, used by the contractor, recommends two Eureka wire clamps are fitted irrespective of the rope diameter.
Reccomendations
The member has now issued instructions that when using Eureka wire locks, two are fitted to make a termination.
The member has also included the following in their instructions:
“The bolts supplied with the wire locks are of a high quality to meet the torque values and should never be replaced with standard bolts. In addition the bolts should be tightened to the correct torque values using the correct torque tools.”
IMCA Safety Flashes summarise key safety matters and incidents, allowing lessons to be more easily learnt for the benefit of the entire offshore industry.
The effectiveness of the IMCA Safety Flash system depends on the industry sharing information and so avoiding repeat incidents. Incidents are classified according to IOGP's Life Saving Rules.
All information is anonymised or sanitised, as appropriate, and warnings for graphic content included where possible.
IMCA makes every effort to ensure both the accuracy and reliability of the information shared, but is not be liable for any guidance and/or recommendation and/or statement herein contained.
The information contained in this document does not fulfil or replace any individual's or Member's legal, regulatory or other duties or obligations in respect of their operations. Individuals and Members remain solely responsible for the safe, lawful and proper conduct of their operations.
Share your safety incidents with IMCA online. Sign-up to receive Safety Flashes straight to your email.