Unapproved repair of diver gas supply umbilical
- Safety Flash
- Published on 14 June 2018
- Generated on 16 August 2025
- IMCA SF 12/18
- 2 minute read
A diver umbilical assembly was recently returned from a diving support vessel (DSV) to a shore-based workshop, as it was no longer required.
What happened?
During the demobilisation of the umbilical assembly, it was noted that there had been a repair carried out on the diver gas supply hose. Repairs to a diver gas supply umbilical are not considered good practice by our member and as a direct result the umbilical assembly was scrapped.
The non-reclaim umbilical was 80m long and had been in service for approximately 5 years; the repair was located approximately 5 meters from the umbilical end. The diver gas supply hose had a maximum working pressure of 1000psi. The join was formed by standard umbilical end fittings with 6 JIC(F) swivels, connected by a 6 JIC(M) adaptor. The complete join was then covered with a layer of black heat shrink:
Conclusion
Our member noted that potential existed to trap sea water within the repaired section of the umbilical, resulting in an increased corrosion rate to the fittings forming the join. No evidence of the repair was found in the planned maintenance system (PMS). The failure of a diver umbilical could have potentially resulted in the loss of gas supply, activation of the secondary supply and the termination of the dive. The worst-case scenario, though unlikely, could have resulted in serious injury or death.
With this information now being circulated, it is hoped that all umbilical users will ensure that sufficient and correct information is made available to all applicable personnel. Our member noted that subject to maintaining diving operations, repairs such as this may take place, but only until a permanent fix is implemented and subject to the completion of a risk assessment and full management approval.
Related Safety Flashes
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IMCA SF 23/17
21 September 2017
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IMCA SF 04/08
19 March 2008
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IMCA SF 12/03
2 September 2003
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