Check lifejackets

[FullCircle]

I was checking our 4 Lalizas Sigma 150n Manual gas lifejackets (2 years old) last night. They all blew up and stayed up. Great
Not so great: when letting them down using the little nipple on the cap, one of the lifejackets inflation valves flew out of the top, and was lost on the carpet. If this happened at sea, there is no way of inflating (or keeping inflated) this jacket, unless you had a spare bung to hand. Most unlikely.
I took the jacket to Premium Liferaft Services in Burnham On Crouch, abd they gave it a yearly service check and replaced the inflation valve. Grat service, done on the spot with a wry smile, and reasonably priced. Well recommended chaps. (No relation to them etc).

Please check your jackets for this defect, if you have this type.

Have a nice weekend

Jim

 

[KREW2]

Hi
Thanks for the tip I have the same life jackets mine will be two next week I'll get them checked out

 

[Woody]

I checked our Crewsaver Hammar jackets last weekend (3 years old). All stayed inflated OK but a couple of them had loose bottles and hence probably would not have self inflated. Definitely worth checking regularly.

 

[aidancoughlan]

It's well worth checking canisters are secure - I recall a crew member going overboard, ended up hanging upside-down by his knees on the guardrail with head & shoulders in the water - it seemed quite funny after we got him back on board, though thought provoking when he discovered why his life-jacket didnt inflate despite being soaked - the canister was totally loose inside!!