The Recall Desk
HighCPSC·15141·Announced 2015-05-20

Hewitt Recalls Marine Winches Due to Chain Breakage Injury Hazard

Hewitt is recalling about 1,700 chain-driven marine winches because the roller chains can break, posing an injury risk to users and bystanders.

What this means for you

Real risk of harm even if no illness or injury has been reported yet. Stop using the product and follow the agency's guidance.

Our severity reasoning: The recall involves a risk-of-harm product where the roller chains can break, posing an injury hazard, but no injuries have been reported, fitting the criteria for a High severity score.

Plain-English summary

Hewitt Machine & Manufacturing Inc. is recalling approximately 1,700 chain-driven winches used in marine lifts. The recall involves model numbers 1501, 2001, and 2501, which are silver, metal units measuring 21 inches high by 12 inches wide by 8 inches deep. These winches were manufactured between December 2013 and September 2014 and feature a date code in MM YY format stamped on the front right side.

The top and bottom roller chains in the winch can break, causing the winch and marine lift to fail. This failure poses an injury hazard to the user or bystander. There have been six incidents of the roller chains breaking in the recalled winch housing, but no injuries have been reported.

The recalled winches were sold at independent boat and watersport dealers nationwide and internationally, as well as online at buyhewitt.com, from April 2014 through October 2014 for about $400. Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled winches and contact Hewitt Machine & Manufacturing or their local dealer to arrange for a free replacement of the roller chains.

The recalled product

Product
Chain driven winches
Manufacturer
Hewitt Machine & Manufacturing Inc., of Nicollet, Minn.
Category
Consumer Product — Marine Equipment
Hazard
Affected units
1,700

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

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