The following technical alert has been issued today by classification society Lloyd's Register. The United States Coast Guard (USCG) has identified serious manufacturing defects in hydrostatic release units (HRU) manufactured by Song Zhu in Dalian, People's Republic of China, and found on board a ship visiting US waters. The HRU's labelled 'Song Zhu Dalian P.R.C.', model HR-R, have not been approved by Lloyd's Register. During recent routine maintenance in the U.S., the HRU's on board were returned to a lifesaving equipment service facility, for replacement due to damaged parts. Subsequent detailed examination and testing of the HRU's by the USCG revealed excessive deterioration of the painter slicing blade, rendering it ineffectual when activated.