U.S. Coast Guard issues warning on potentially dangerous distress signal

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U. S. Coast Guard has withdrawn the Certificate of Approval for NAMMO LIAB AB Orange Hand Smoke Distress Signal, and the approval status of this certificate is not marked ‘Former-Do Not Use.”

The action was taken because the chemical makeup of the signal was changed in October 2013 without Coast Guard approval and the signal is at risk of spontaneous combustion when dropped.

These smoke signals may be labeled and marketed as “Polar MK 4” by NAMMO

LIAB AB or as “IKAROS” by Hansson Pyrotech. “IKAROS” Hansson Pyrotech is the more current manufacturing name.

Datrex Inc., of Kinder, Louisiana, is the only distributor for these products in the United States. There are approximately 2,790 signals with the potentially defect in the U.S. market.             Datrex has removed all of its remaining stock from sale and is working with customers to replace these potentially dangerous signals.

Any signal manufactured after October 2013 must be properly disposed of and replaced with a product that satisfies the vessel’s carriage requirements. For questions or concerns, contact Datrex at 337-738-4511 or via email at datrex@datrex.com

 

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