Report 1:
Both ends of wire fall arrestors were covered with Denso tape with no ability to check the condition of the wire under the tape. In the second report the couplings on the ship’s crane were covered by grease tape but when uncovered during routine inspections, they were found to be worn and corroded.
Lessons Learned: Grease tapes may provide protection where fitted, at the same time they may hide defects. Grease tapes should be removed from parts of couplings, hydraulic pipes and wires during the routine inspections so that the condition inside can be evaluated.
Report 2:
The coupling on ship’s crane were found worn/corroded during routine inspections. It should be noted that Coupling were covered by grease tape. Cause: ineffective condition inspections due to presence of the grease tapes that covered the corrosion/ wear.
Lessons Learned: Grease tapes may provide protection where fitted, at the same time they may hide defects. Grease tapes should be removed from parts of couplings, hydraulic pipes and wires during the routine inspections so that the condition inside can be evaluated.
CHIRP Comment
The real problem is not Denso tape on the splices preventing inspection but the inspection regime that may not take account of corrosion. The main issue is the need for a proper maintenance routine that looks past the Denso tape and reinstates or replaces it afterwards, if removal is the chosen method of inspection. There is no evidence of a big problem with corrosion on stays except on those steel parts that were left exposed, or more notoriously, were enclosed in plastic sheathing with an air gap inside.
