Over the years Gard has seen several accidents related to power-operated watertight doors on board ships. Such doors are fitted in watertight bulkheads of ships like cruise vessels, ro-ro passenger vessels, ferries, large supply ships, special purpose ships, etc., and are electrically or hydraulically operated. On the lowermost decks doors are often hydraulically operated, closing with a force of two tons. People have been killed or severely maimed by such doors. There is often an element of fault by the affected person in such accidents, as the strict procedure for passing through these doors may not have been followed. Other issues which may affect their operation are lack of proper maintenance, the crew has not been properly trained nor received specific instructions on how to operate the doors, and SOLAS regulations and guidance are not followed.
The purpose of this circular is to stress the importance of the correct operation of watertight doors in order to maintain the vessel’s survivability during emergencies involving water ingress, but also to foster awareness of the risk to crew passing through these doors during their everyday operation of the vessel.
See attached file: 07-12 Dangers of power-operated watertight doors.pdf
动力操纵式水密门的危险
近年来，Gard见证了数起因船上动力操纵式水密门引发的事故。动力操纵式水密门安装于各类船舶（如邮轮、滚装客轮、渡轮、大型供给船舶以及特殊用途船舶）的防水舱壁中，分为电力和液压两种驱动方式。位于最底层甲板上的水密门通常由液压驱动，其闭合力达2吨。许多人丧生或致残于此类水密门。在这些事故中，受害者或多或少都有过错，如未能严格遵守过门的程序等。其他影响水密门操作的问题还有：水密门缺乏合理维护，船员未接受良好培训，亦未被特别告知如何操作水密门，以及未能遵守《国际海上人命安全公约》（下称《公约》）的有关规定和指南。
本期通函旨在强调正确操作水密门的重要性，以保证船舶在进水等紧急情况下不致沉没，同时也为提高船员在水密门日常操作中的风险意识。
详细信息请参阅附件。
