News

2025.02.04 Supporting "Human Lives"

[Rubber-Coated Fabric and Processed Goods] Inflatable life raft: Free replacement of parts or applicable products

It has been discovered that certain types of our inflatable life rafts (hereafter referred to as “rafts”) have a slight possibility of damage to the rubber-coated fabric air chambers during the drop and inflation process.

In particular, interference between the rubber-coated fabric air chamber and other components has been confirmed to potentially cause damage. For example, during the drop of the raft, the mooring rope may interfere with the air chamber and cause damage, or after the drop, the inflating air chamber may get caught in the container and sustain damage.

After careful consideration of this issue, we have decided to replace the affected parts or products free of charge, and we hereby notify you of this measure.

Please note that each raft is equipped with two air chambers. We have confirmed that even if one chamber is damaged, the other will provide sufficient buoyancy. Moreover, no cases have been observed where both chambers are simultaneously damaged during our tests. Currently, we are developing alternative raft designs and are in the process of obtaining type approval from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism to prevent the occurrence of such incidents.

We have already notified the affected shipowners that we will proceed with the free replacement of parts or products in a sequential manner. Once we obtain type approval for the replacement designs, we (including our authorized maintenance contractors) will contact the shipowners again, and the replacement work will be carried out at certified maintenance facilities nationwide during periods when vessels are at anchor or during regular inspections.

Accordingly, to ensure that the work is performed swiftly and efficiently, we kindly ask the shipowners who have received our notice to provide the contact details of the person responsible for the vessel’s management. We appreciate your cooperation in this matter.

We sincerely apologize for any concern and inconvenience this issue may have caused.

We will continue to enhance our quality and service levels to contribute to the safety of human lives at sea. We thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

■ Applicable Types

[Parts Replacement]

FRN-SV-15RT	No. 4373	Raft for tankers
FRN-SN-6	No. 4695	Drop raft
FRN-SN-10	No. 4696	Drop raft
FRN-SN-15	No. 4697	Drop raft
FRN-SN-20	No. 4698	Drop raft
FRN-SN-25	No. 4699	Drop raft
FRN-PF-34	No. 5006	Buoyant apparatus for general use
FRN-PF-55	No. 4923	Buoyant apparatus for general use
FRN-PF-42S	No. 4922	Buoyant apparatus for RoRo passenger vessels