Be alarmed by all alarms
- Safety Flash
- Published on 29 November 2016
- Generated on 2 July 2025
- IMCA SF 32/16
- 2 minute read
The USCG has published the following marine safety alert regarding the possible consequences of failing to take proper actions when faced with alarm signals from equipment.
Recently, Coast Guard marine inspectors experienced two different circumstances involving the alarm and control system of steering gear on board relatively new vessels.
The USCG safety alert notes:
“Although neither event resulted in a marine casualty, they serve as a reminder to the potentially dangerous results that may occur when an alarm system is deliberately ignored. A false sense of operational safety develops when crewmembers continually silence what they consider to be a “nuisance alarm,” enabling a false perception of normalcy to develop.
Inspectors observed on two vessels that repetitive alarms occurred every time crewmembers performed steering tests that attempted to move the rudder through its range of motion. The alarms indicated that “hydraulic lock” events had occurred. Each time, the alarm was simply acknowledged by the crew and the steering gear adequately moved the rudder. However, no further investigation was conducted to identify the cause of the alarm.
It is well known that close calls and near misses occur more frequently than actual incidents. In this instance, the systems and alarms forewarned the operators of a problem. By ignoring the alarms, the crewmembers accepted a higher level of risk and reduced their safety margins. If the situation had been allowed to persist indefinitely, an unwanted incident could have occurred with potentially dire consequences.
As the result of these events, the Coast Guard strongly recommends that owner and operators ensure the following:
- address the management of nuisance alarms in Safety Management Systems (SMS) and require immediate correction of their specific causes; and
- Include strict prohibitions against the pinning or securing of alarm acknowledgment buttons and switches. Such actions should be deemed as unacceptable corrective measures as they have contributed to serious marine casualties in the past.
This safety alert is provided for informational purpose only and does not relieve any domestic or international safety, operational, or material requirements.”
This USCG safety alert 16-16 can be downloaded here.
Related Safety Flashes
-
IMCA SF 13/15
21 September 2015
-
IMCA SF 19/14
18 December 2014
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.