Corrosion of band securing screw on diver band mask

  • Safety Flash
  • Published on 2 April 2001
  • Generated on 7 March 2026
  • IMCA SF 06/01
  • 1 minute read

A Member has recently reported the failure of a band securing screw on a DSI Mrk 18B band mask.

What happened?

During the annual return to base for a full strip-down and service of the diver band mask, the company reported the failure of one of the band securing screws, resulting in the band falling away from the mask. The dive technician was re-assembling the unit and had already inspected both screws and considered them fit for use. While tightening one screw, the head of the screw fell off.

On closer inspection, severe corrosion could be observed where the head of the screw joined the threaded section. This corrosion was not visible prior to the failure – only slight wear of the cross-head was reported. Since then, the company concerned has instigated a full inspection of all band-securing screws with any screw showing slight wear being replaced.

Latest Safety Flashes:

Dropped object: falling shim plate while lowering A-frame

During the lowering of the A-frame of the crane on a large crane vessel, a plate with a weight of 15kg, rolled out from the auxiliary inboard fleeting sheaves.

Read more
W2W gangway bumper damaged during demonstration

During testing to demonstrate emergency retraction, the movement of the vessel in the swell applied forces to the bumper, which caused the bolts to fail and the bumper to break off.

Read more
Towing wire parted

A vessel was towing a barge when the towing wire parted.

Read more
BSEE: Falling corroded crane component results in near miss

BSEE has published Safety Alert 511 relating to a near-miss dropped object incident on an offshore platform during the maintenance and inspection of a platform crane.

Read more
Cook temporarily trapped in freezer

A vessel cook was temporarily trapped inside a large walk-in freezer.

Read more

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.