USCG detains ships on water mist failures

In several cases the water supply valve was closed during inspection, making the water mist system “not readily available for immediate use”, as required of firefighting systems and appliances under SOLAS regulation II-2/14. Systems in manual rather than automatic mode also resulted in detentions.

The alert noted that “is important that all water mist systems are fully checked and verified as being in satisfactory working order at all times”. Lloyd’s Register also advised ship operators to make frequent inspections paying close attention to valve alignment and ensuring adequate labelling.

The alert follows a similar warning in December 2013, where Lloyd’s Register reported that “in many of the cases, the chief engineer was not aware that the water supply valve was left in the closed position”.