While the design of the on-load release system allowed the reset position of the hook to be visually confirmed, it did not allow for visual confirmation that the release segment and mechanism had been correctly reset. Consequently, the hook device could appear to be properly reset when it was not.
The letter sent by the manufacturer should raise awareness with organisations that currently use this model of on-load release. The addition of the marker to show that the release segment is fully reset should reduce the likelihood of an inadvertent release on ships that receive the modified on-load release.
The manufacturer has written to ship owners and ship yards notifying them of the potential problem with the resetting of the on-load release. The letter also advises how to reset the on-load release properly to avoid it being partially reset.
All new on-load releases now include a marker to show that the release segment has rotated to the fully reset position.
The cheek plate of the on-load release on board Aquarosa was marked so as to give visual indication when the release segment was in the correct position.
The cover, over the linkages and hydraulic ram, is also to be left off allowing access to the ram to assist it retracting.
