IT’S THE SEEMINGLY MINOR ITEMS that sometimes can create a catastrophe. USCG Safety alert

"This is a reminder to owner operators that sometimes it is the most seemingly minor thing such as a
mechanical part or electrical component that can lead to a catastrophe. For example, a nearly 20 year
old bulker was leaving port when its main engine throttle failed. In this case the vessel was able to
drop anchor without incident. The failure occurred because a small drive belt that connected the console throttle lever components to an electrical potentiometer failed. Movement of the throttle causes the
potentiometer to move and creates a variable signal to other controls which manage engine
speed. When the belt failed the control from the engine room console was lost"

Read this safety alert in detail with additional incidents mentioned in this link

https://www.dco.uscg.mil/Portals/9/DCO%20Documents/5p/CG-5PC/INV/Alerts/ll0114.pdf