Unsafe use of electrical equipment in cabins
- Safety Flash
- Published on 3 July 2025
- Generated on 18 August 2025
- IMCA SF 12/25
- 2 minute read
Crew members were observed inserting 2-pin electrical chargers directly into 3-pin vessel sockets to power their personal equipment.
What happened?
During an inspection of a members’ vessel, crew members were observed inserting 2-pin electrical chargers directly into 3-pin vessel sockets to power their personal equipment in the accommodation. It appeared that there were no appropriate adaptors available onboard.
Inserting 2-pin plugs into 3-pin sockets can physically damage the internal components of the socket. Over time, this may cause loose connections, which are a well-known cause of electrical arcing, overheating, and even fire.
A series of electrical hazards (image from https://www.iims.org.uk/electrical-safety-evaluation-electrical-hazards/)
Why did it happen?
- There were no suitable adapters available onboard.
- An assumption of electrical and physical compatibility between plug and socket types was made.
- There was no awareness of the possibility of mechanical wear or of the possible safety risks caused by mismatched plugs.
What do we learn?
- Ensure there are compatible adapters onboard, as required – Provide safe, good quality plug adapters to prevent mismatched use. Spend a hundred dollars on some adaptors for the crew, possibly prevent a fire in the accommodation.
- Improve crew understanding by providing specific guidance on plug/socket compatibility in electrical safety training/ discussions.
- Have a regular check of sockets in the accommodation for signs of wear, burning, or damage. All electrical appliances should be regularly tested and tagged to confirm they are safe for use.
- Make it easier to for the crew to raise their concerns, than it is to do something unsafe.
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