Safety Alert for Rescue Boat Fasteners

The U.S. Coast Guard issued a Safety Alert stating that the lifting frame of a rigid hull inflatable (RHI) rescue boat separated from the brackets that attached it to the deck of a vessel. Investigation revealed that the nuts securing the bolts fastening the lifting frame to the deck had backed off due to vibration. This condition was not readily apparent on routine visual examination. The Coast Guard recommends that those with similar arrangements make careful inspections and authorized modifications, such as installing cotter pins. (HK Law)