Condition of container doors
- Safety Flash
- Published on 1 December 1999
- Generated on 27 March 2026
- IMCA SF 07/99
- 1 minute read
One of our Members has reported a failure of a container door on one of their vessels.
What happened?
The container door became unlatched during a period of moderate swell. The vessel motion caused the door to swing and this, coupled with corrosion around the door hinge, resulted in the door falling to the deck. Fortunately no-one was injured. The container had been in storage for six months.
This incident highlights the potential hazards when entering and exiting containers of any type.
Recommendations
The contractor involved has reminded its personnel to check all container door hinges as part of their regular maintenance schedule. This check should include the latching system and the area around the actual hinges themselves as they are exposed to both the environment and sea states.
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