SAFETY ALERT NO 26
Safety of Lifebuoy's type “Altura > 2.5 kg”
Please click to download a printable version of Technical Safety Alert No 26 (Adobe 20.0 KB)
Please click to download a printable version of the Letter from Swedish Transport Agency (Adobe 296 KB)
A safety concern has arisen with safety of lifebuoys type “Altura > 2.5 kg”
The Swedish Transport Agency has informed all EU Member States of a serious defect with lifebuoy type “Altura > 2.5 kg manufactured by Veleria S. Giorgio S.r.l. (Italy), cf; approved by Rina S.p.A (0474).
The Swedish Transport Agency has advised that under one of the reflective tapes of the lifebuoy there is a hole of 15 mm diameter. Inside the plastic shell the lifebuoys are filled with plastic foam. The plastic foam inside of lifebuoys has shrunk in volume and in some cases; water has penetrated though the hole and filled lifebuoys with water.
The Swedish Transport Agency has been in contact with the manufacturer who is now conducting tests on the foam material. Veleria S. Giorgio has issued an advance notification to their customers advising them to look for products showing the same problem and to remove them from the market. Please see the attached for important details
For further information please contact Marine Technology Branch, Maritime & Coastguard Agency Tel: +44 (023) 8032 9 636
Issued: December 2009