Battery failure on lifejacket light
- Safety Flash
- Published on 1 March 2001
- Generated on 19 December 2025
- IMCA SF 03/01
- 1 minute read
One of our Members has reported that on one of their vessels they found that the battery to the lifejacket had swelled out, resulting in a ruptured battery.
The maker of the battery is McMurdo and the expiry date was January 2002. Below is a picture of the ruptured battery.
When the member alerted its other vessels to this failure, another vessel reported that on checking its lifejackets, two lifejacket lights were found in a similar condition to that above. The expiry dates for their batteries were August 2001 and May 2003.
The member is now in discussions with the manufacturer on this issue.
IMCA Safety Flashes summarise key safety matters and incidents, allowing lessons to be more easily learnt for the benefit of the entire offshore industry.
The effectiveness of the IMCA Safety Flash system depends on the industry sharing information and so avoiding repeat incidents. Incidents are classified according to IOGP's Life Saving Rules.
All information is anonymised or sanitised, as appropriate, and warnings for graphic content included where possible.
IMCA makes every effort to ensure both the accuracy and reliability of the information shared, but is not be liable for any guidance and/or recommendation and/or statement herein contained.
The information contained in this document does not fulfil or replace any individual's or Member's legal, regulatory or other duties or obligations in respect of their operations. Individuals and Members remain solely responsible for the safe, lawful and proper conduct of their operations.
Share your safety incidents with IMCA online. Sign-up to receive Safety Flashes straight to your email.