NVIC 01-84: Missing topstitching on Gladding Type I PFDs

NVIC 1-84 3 APR 1984 NAVIGATION AND VESSEL INSPECTION CIRCULAR NO. 1-84 Electronic Version for Distribution Via the World Wide Web Subj: Lack of Topstitching on Some Type I Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs) Ref : (a) 46 CFR 160.006-2

Lack of Topstitching on Some Type I Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs) — PURPOSE. This Circular informs vessel owners and operators, and Officers in Charge of Marine

Inspection about the lack of topstitching on same Coast Guard approved life preservers manufactured' by Gladding Corporation.

Lack of Topstitching on Some Type I Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs) — BACKGROUND. We have received several failure reports concerning Gladding Corporation (now

Paris Southern Corporation) AF 500, Model 3, Type I PFDs, approval number 160.002/78/0. After examining these PFDs, we found that the required topstitching was omitted from the shoulder seams. This severely weakens the shoulder of the device, allowing the shoulder seams to be pulled apart rather easily. To date, the problem has been detected in Lots 9, 10, 16, 17, 24, 25, 28, and 32. Therefore, all Lots initially inspected between approximately September 1980 and March 1982 should be identified as possibly having the defect. Illustrations of the construction of the shoulder seam with and without topstitching are shown below: The locations of the seams in question are shown in the following illustration:

Lack of Topstitching on Some Type I Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs) — DISCUSSION. The manufacturer has agreed to repair the devices or provide instructions on how

to repair the devices. If a device is returned to them, the manufacturer will add the topstitching and return the device to the owner, free of charge. If the owner wants to repair the devices without returning them to the manufacturer, the owner must notify the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection prior to making the repairs as specified in reference (a). Instructions for making the repair will be provided free by the manufacturer. The manufacturer's address is: Paris Southern Corporation P.O. Box 8277, Station A Greenville, SC 29604

Lack of Topstitching on Some Type I Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs) — ACTION.

a. Vessel owners/operators and Coast Guard personnel should closely check any Gladding Corporation (now Paris Southern) AF 500, Model 3, Type I PFDs, approval number 160.002/78/0 manufactured between approximately September 1980 and March 1982 to see if the topstitching has been omitted. If there is no topstitching, the problem should be corrected as discussed in Paragraph 3. b. Officers in Charge, Marine Inspection should normally allow the repairs to be made provided the owner has appropriate equipment and thread and agrees to follow the manufacturer's instructions. Non-Standard Distribution: C:e Baltimore (45)3 Alameda (40); Port Arthur, Honolulu, Seattle (35); Miami, Mobile, Long Beach (25); Norfolk, Jacksonville, Portland OR (20); Boston, Portland ME, Charleston, Anchorage (15); Cleveland (12); Cincinnati, Louisville, Memphis, Nashville, Paducah, Pittsburgh, St. Louis, Savannah, San Juan, Tampa, Galveston, Buffalo, Chicago, Detroit, Duluth, Milwaukee, San Diego, Juneau, Valdez (10); Providence, Huntington, Wilmington, Corpus Christi, Toledo (5). C:m New Orleans (140); New York (70); Philadelphia (35); Houston (25); St. Ignace (5); Sturgeon Bay (4). D:l CG Liaison Officer MILSEALIFTCOMD M-65 STRAT MOB, CG LIAISON OFFICER JUSMAGPHIL (1) ZTC-68