Urgent Warning: Immersion Suit Defects Threaten Lives
Recent alerts from maritime authorities highlight critical safety concerns regarding immersion suits, essential for survival in emergencies at sea. The United States Coast Guard (USCG) and the Maritime Administration of the Republic of Marshall Islands (RMI) have reported alarming rates of defects in these life-saving garments, primarily due to adhesive failures and improper maintenance. As these issues can drastically reduce the effectiveness of immersion suits, ship operators are urged to take immediate action to ensure the safety of their crews.
Common Defects and Their Causes
Defective immersion suits pose a significant risk to maritime safety, as highlighted in a January 2026 Safety Alert by the USCG. Inspectors frequently discover issues such as adhesive failures between the main zipper and the suit body, which compromise the watertight integrity of the suits. These failures can lead to water ingress, drastically reducing survival chances in emergencies. Factors contributing to these defects include the use of non-approved lubricants, improper storage conditions, and a lack of regular pressure testing.
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The RMI has echoed these concerns in warnings issued in 2023 and renewed in 2025, noting that immersion suit defects are a major contributor to life-saving deficiencies observed during inspections of RMI-flagged vessels. Common issues include inoperable zippers and failed seams, particularly around the hands, feet, and zippers. Inspections have also revealed other defects such as holes, missing lights, and overdue air pressure tests. Alarmingly, when one defective suit is found, it often indicates that others are in similarly poor condition, highlighting the need for comprehensive inspections.
Regulatory frameworks like SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) and associated guidelines mandate the maintenance and inspection of life-saving appliances, including immersion suits. Under SOLAS Regulation III/32, every person on board a cargo ship must have access to an approved immersion suit. Regular maintenance and inspections are outlined in Regulations III/20.3 and III/20.7, ensuring that these critical safety devices remain operational.
