COUNTERFEIT PRODUCTS:how they are affecting the safety of passengers and

crew

Concerns regarding counterfeit, copied and non-conforming ship’s wheel marked life-saving appliances.

Collation of individual ILAMA members’ problems. Lobbying Flag State Administrations, International

Maritime Organisation (IMO) and International Association of Classification Societies (IACS)

2010 paper submitted to IMO outlining life-saving appliances counterfeiting and copying problems – positive response, resulting in further paper into IMO Sub Committee.

IMO expected to issue MSC Circular in 2012. ILAMA members believe that if IMO regulations were

adhered to, proliferation of counterfeit copied and poor quality life-saving appliances would be greatly reduced.

Counterfeit, Copied and Non-conforming Life-saving Appliances

Life-saving appliance products removed from ships that being scrapped are being refurbished and ending up back in the marketplace, although there is little information available as to where they finish up.

Important questions regarding who is liable in the event of an accident at sea when these products fail??

This is blatant contravention of the spirit of the ratified IMO instruments.

The concept of the safety of passengers and crew at sea is being seriously compromised.

Refurbished Life-saving Appliance Products

Example 1 – HRU produced by a world leader and a quality product

Example 2 – Identical counterfeit, same logo, address and ships wheel approved

Example 3 – Withdrawn Example 4 – Non

compliant

Hydrostatic Release Units

Genuine product now has a permanent hologram attached.

Product produced to deceive customers.

Label contains the genuine manufacturer’s logo, correct name and address, along with terminology and script.

Pyrotechnic Man-overboard

Returned product tested in manufacturer’s laboratory.

Nearly every product leader of position indicating lights has had their products copied, with the resulting failure to comply with basic requirements of IMO instruments.

The good name of the original design and manufacture is tarnished.All cases of failure should be reported.

Copied, Lifejacket and Lifebuoy Lights

Sachet contents did not comply with SOLAS requirements – water reduced to 368 ml instead of 500 ml; sealing arrangements different.A counterfeit product.

Counterfeit Emergency Drinking Water

Six flares on board a ship transiting Gulf of Aden failed to operate – they contained only white powder.

Label appeared ‘perfect’ . Product had been made obsolete some years previously.

Pyrotechnic Para Red Flares

ILAMA members are concerned that the business of producing quality life-saving products is being seriously jeopardized.

Purchasers of LSA should demand best products for their fare paying passengers and crew.

The standard of the product must be confirmed byscrupulous checking of the approval paperwork, testing small quantities of the product and awareness of cheap and poor quality alternatives.

PROBLEMS CONCERNING POOR PERFORMANCE SHOULD ALWAYS BE REPORTED TO FLAG ADMINISTRATION

Concluding comments

‘Every fare paying passenger has the right to a dry shod evacuation from a stricken vessel into an approved life-raft or lifeboat which contains approved personal life-saving appliances which conform to the exacting standard demanded by the International Maritime Organisation.’

Jim BoothILAMA Permanent Representative at

IMOwww.ilama.org

Email: admin@ilama.org