Technical Circular No: 017/2025
1. U.S. Coast Guard has issued Marine Safety Alert 11-25, informing that during recent lifejacket inspection on Small Passenger Vessels regulated under Title 46 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Subchapter K, U.S. Coast Guard, Inspectors discovered malfunctioning snap hooks on approximately 1,500 Type I adult and child lifejackets of several vessels.
2. The safety alert is issued to raise awareness of the manufacturer defect and provide contact information for individuals to initiate corrective action.
3. The issue involved a malfunctioning spring-loaded tab within the snap hook that is sewn into the waist belt of Marlin Australia PTY LTD lifejacket models 320RT & 321RT.
4. The spring-loaded tab within the snap hook mechanism failed to “spring back” or return to the closed position after depressing to secure the snap hook to the D-ring. Instead of fully closing once initially depressed, the spring-loaded tab returned to a partially closed position (approximately ½ to ¾ closed), which may allow the D-ring to slide out without additional manipulation of the clasp.
5. The USCG Lifesaving and Fire Safety Division (CG-ENG-4) and UL Solutions conducted an investigation and found that the following lot numbers are affected:
• 240193SB
• 240194SB
• 240195SB
• 240196SB
• 240197SB
6. Owners/Operators of the vessel that have Marlin Australia PTY LTD model 320RT or 321RT lifejackets onboard their vessels are advised to inspect them closely for this potential defect
7. Where defects are found, Owners/managers are advised to contact:
a. Mr. John Murray Jr. of Marlin Australia PTY LTD by phone at +02 9557 3999 or email at JMurray.Jnr@carrycode.com.au for specific directions on how to rectify this issue.
b. Vessel registered under the USA maritime flag administration to also contact CG-ENG-4 at TypeApproval@uscg.mil with the lot numbers from the affected lifejackets.
8. Ship owners/ operators and masters of the vessels are advised to be guided by above and ensure compliance.
Enclosure:
This Technical Circular and the material contained in it is provided only for the purpose of supplying current information to the reader and not as an advice to be relied upon by any person. While we have taken utmost care to be as factual as possible, readers/ users are advised to verify the exact text and content of the Regulation from the original source/ issuing Authority.