Tag: office of inspections and casualty analysis

7/20/2016: Safety alert: Routine lifejacket inspections

Degraded Dust-like Unicellular Foam

The Coast Guard issued a safety alert to remind all vessel operators to routinely inspect their lifejackets to ensure they are suitable for service. Recently Coast Guard inspectors discovered over 60 lifejackets that were required to be removed and destroyed. It was discovered that the unicellular foam buoyant material within the nylon outer shell had degraded significantly over time, broke apart, crumbled and in some instances was reduced to dust. The lifejackets were properly stored, kept dry, and not under direct sunlight; however, the location was very hot at times.