silver-fox
Active member
I have decided to share my poor experience with a Crewsaver liferaft in the hope it will save others the same problem.
In short I bought a Crewsaver 6 man ISO liferaft with a +24 hour pack 3 years ago at the boat show, at a cost around £2200.
When it came up for service this year, the boat was in Greece. The only place I could find that would service it was Marita Hellas in Athens who quoted an unbelievable 1,354 Euros.!
I contacted the Crewsaver service department who provided their current service price list showing a cost £480 in the UK.
I went back to Marita Hellas suggesting they were quoting for the wrong liferaft, they checked and said that was the right price - 1354 Euros but they would give me a 10% goodwill discount!!
I then contacted Crewsaver in the UK who advised their head of sales would raise the issue during planned visit. There followed several weeks of delay where I had to chase for feedback. Eventually I get an email saying phone Marita Hellas to learn something to your benefit. Great I think, a breakthrough, but no, what followed was a really embarrassing call where Marita Hellas denied any arrangement with Crewsaver.
Back to Crewsaver again who now basically "washed their hands" and said there was nothing they could as Marita Hellas was an independent company (somewhat conveniently ignoring they are a Crewsaver appointed service centre). They did however offer me a £100 voucher off my next service in the UK in 3 year's time. ( no use to me as I now don't cruise in UK)
My plan now was to delay the service until we reached Malta or Gibraltar, but the Greek port police were actively fining anyone with out of date liferaft 1000€, so felt forced to pay the exorbitant 1200€ to Marita Hellas.
So, be warned, if you buy a Crewsaver liferaft for use outside the UK, you may find it costs far more than other brands to service.
In short I bought a Crewsaver 6 man ISO liferaft with a +24 hour pack 3 years ago at the boat show, at a cost around £2200.
When it came up for service this year, the boat was in Greece. The only place I could find that would service it was Marita Hellas in Athens who quoted an unbelievable 1,354 Euros.!
I contacted the Crewsaver service department who provided their current service price list showing a cost £480 in the UK.
I went back to Marita Hellas suggesting they were quoting for the wrong liferaft, they checked and said that was the right price - 1354 Euros but they would give me a 10% goodwill discount!!
I then contacted Crewsaver in the UK who advised their head of sales would raise the issue during planned visit. There followed several weeks of delay where I had to chase for feedback. Eventually I get an email saying phone Marita Hellas to learn something to your benefit. Great I think, a breakthrough, but no, what followed was a really embarrassing call where Marita Hellas denied any arrangement with Crewsaver.
Back to Crewsaver again who now basically "washed their hands" and said there was nothing they could as Marita Hellas was an independent company (somewhat conveniently ignoring they are a Crewsaver appointed service centre). They did however offer me a £100 voucher off my next service in the UK in 3 year's time. ( no use to me as I now don't cruise in UK)
My plan now was to delay the service until we reached Malta or Gibraltar, but the Greek port police were actively fining anyone with out of date liferaft 1000€, so felt forced to pay the exorbitant 1200€ to Marita Hellas.
So, be warned, if you buy a Crewsaver liferaft for use outside the UK, you may find it costs far more than other brands to service.
