●Improper use and improper care of the Sea Catch device may cause injury.
●Hitch-pin must be used to prevent inadvertent release.
●Do not use the release line as a tag line or put any tension on it until time to
release. An additional tag line secured to the upper shackle (illustrated pg. 3)
and kept taught at all times is highly recommended to maintain a slack
release line and prevent load twisting.
●Stay clear of all objects released under load.
●Do not exceed the SWL capacity of your Sea Catch.
●Do not side load. Side loading may cause permanent damage to the unit.
●While in its loaded position, do not obstruct the Sea Catch from following the
line of the load. Misalignment may prevent release due to binding.
●Do not mount the Sea Catch such that the mounting fixture damages the
unit while in use. This could cause loss of parts and unit malfunction.
●Alterations to the Sea Catch by way of cutting, welding, and/or grinding voids
the unit load rating and product warranty.
The warnings stated in the web version of the User's Manual take precedence over
other versions of the Sea Catch User's Manual.
●Inspection of the Sea Catch device is advised after each use. Should the
device be held in a static state under load, inspection should occur every 1-3
months depending on the severity of its corrosive environment.
●While in use in heavy marine environments or stored for long periods, a quick
fresh water rinse and a coating of WD40 or other suitable corrosion
retardant is advised. Always store the device in its closed and locked position
●Inspect every retainer ring for corrosion, proper installation and securely
seated in its groove. Corroded retainer rings are an early sign of improper
care and must be replaced.
●All pivot pins must be straight and rotate freely when under no load and in
the open position.
●Pivot pins may require periodic re-lubrication. AQUALUBE is recommended
for general use on sizes TR03 - TR11. Sizes TR12 and up require a grease
with moly added such as McMaster-Carr item #10605K42. Pivot pins should
be marked and returned to the same bore they were originally installed.
●Inspect the Sea Catch shackle eyes, jaws and pin holes for stretching
(elongation) and wear. Elongation means the unit is being overloaded.
●Inspect the Sea Catch body and jaws for bending. A bent body or jaws
indicates excessive side-loading.
●Inspect all Sea Catch pins and unit body and jaws for distortion, surface
blemishes, wear and fractures.
●Should the device become “soft” (little or no effort to open or close it), it is
unsafe to use and should be returned to McMillan Design for a $50
refurbishment which includes surface cleaning, attending to any issue with
function (cost of replacement parts are not included) and re-lubrication.
●Discontinue use and replace or send Sea Catch in to be rebuilt/refurbished
that are bent or fractured, show excessive wear by more than 10% of the
original dimension, have elongated pivot pin bores or shackle pin holes, or
have soft/missing over center snap.
To prevent the loss of the
hitch pin, two methods of
securing it to the release line
are suggested:
The first option is to tie
the hitch pin to the outer end
of the release line.
The second method is
to secure the hitch pin at a
point near the inner end of
the release line as shown.
This method not only provides hitch pin securement but may facilitate
its removal at the time of release.
Sea Catch Over-Center Pressure
Ample material has been left at the tip of the movable jaw (see
arrow) where the jaw and body come in contact. This holds the device
securely over-center in the locked position even when no load is
applied to the device. It also helps prevent inadvertent release of the
device.
Should the user require that the effort to lock the release lever of the
device over-center be reduced, locate the area where the surface of
the jaw tip comes in contact with the body tip and lightly file or grind
offmaterial in that area. It is important to test the effort frequently
after some material has been removed so as to prevent the removal of
too much material.
To increase over-center effort, increase the thickness of the material
between the two surfaces by applying a center punch mark in the
area of the jaw where the surfaces meet. Should there still be
insufficient material to ensure the positive locking integrity of the
device, the contact area of the jaw will need to be spot-welded then
ground to the appropriate thickness.
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