fisherman
Well-Known Member
Well the exp date is 09, one worked, one failed, manual fire. Now waiting to see retention rate, before a rearm![Photo0193[1].jpg](https://ybw-data.community.forum/attachments/68/68546-ec7c53aa8d1b4dcf8f6b8adaef0d85c5.jpg?hash=7HxTqo0bTc "Photo0193[1].jpg")
Lifejacket fail
- Thread starter fisherman
- Start date
penfold
Well-Known Member
They've not been inspected recently then, what a silly billy. I get nervous around rusty pressure vessels, even small ones.
Refueler
Well-Known Member
Oh dear ...
Suggest a replacement of jacket .... note SUGGEST ... why ? Rust has a terrible tendency to damage synthetic materials and I think we've all seen where a synthetic has laid against rust and eventually a hole appears.
Suggest a replacement of jacket .... note SUGGEST ... why ? Rust has a terrible tendency to damage synthetic materials and I think we've all seen where a synthetic has laid against rust and eventually a hole appears.
fisherman
Well-Known Member
Been in the shed since they were replaced years ago.
Refueler
Well-Known Member
OK ..
fisherman
Well-Known Member
Yes, the one that stayed up has significant rust embedded in the fabric, so no point relying on it.
Refueler
Well-Known Member
Shame ... and removing that rust will likely damage the fabric further.
TernVI
Well-Known Member
Idiots talking about re-arming 12 year old lifejackets in that state feed the people who want everything regulated.
Refueler
Well-Known Member
In fact more legislation comes from commercial interest.
As to your implied branding myself and Fisherman as 'idiots' - suggest you keep such of these pages.
Fisherman already said he had replaced ... after I suggested it be replaced.
My Inflatables are 2001 (2) and 2003(1) ... the only fault as each are still in showroom condition - is the auto bobbin has gone red on the 2003.
If jackets of such age were not to be maintained - why do UML still produce and sell the pre 2009 design black bobbins .....
I'm all for safety - but I am also well capable of servicing and knowing when to ditch a Life Jacket !
garymalmgren
Well-Known Member
Use it or lose it
Refueler
Well-Known Member
Fair dos ..
Fisherman did say - they had sat in the shed for some years. I dare say - the latest thread on LJ/s may have prompted his dragging them out to check .. who knows.
But it certainly does not earn TernVI comment.
fisherman
Well-Known Member
I dragged them out because my new sailing vessel has not deposited me in the water as often as I might have expected and displays no sign of doing so...in which case I would rather wear a compact inflatable than a bulky solid state if i'm not going to be constantly rearming after a dunking.
Refueler
Well-Known Member
I don't think there's any need for you to defend yourself ... your posts were clear.
penberth3
Well-Known Member
They might look like like "showroom condition" but you have no idea of the actual condition of the fabric. They should have gone in the skip years ago.
Refueler
Well-Known Member
Look like ??????
You have no idea of the training or background I had ... you have no idea of my competence to check my LJ's - which are checked every year at start of season. Not some casual once over - but a real check.
You think I am going to commit their use if I wasn't confident in their condition ?
fisherman
Well-Known Member
Well the good one is still tight as a shirt. I cut open the duff one, it's smooth plastic inside, woven surface outside and the rust has flicked off. BUT, they must be 2004 or so.
penberth3
Well-Known Member
20 year old fabric, welds, adhesives? You haven't a clue without a destructive test.
fisherman
Well-Known Member
So we must rely on time elapsed.....how long is that, please?
I'll phone the maker tomorrow and ask.
Refueler
Well-Known Member
So I'll just carry on blissfully unaware.
It may be of interest to you that two of my Companys ... sia BI and sia QQB ... both had NDT services ? It is not a field I am unaware of.
penfold
Well-Known Member
I've got no problem with a LJ of indeterminate age as long as it's been regularly inspected for wear/damage/etc(by anyone with a dose of common sense, doesn't have to be the man from the RNLI or whatever) and most importantly inflated and left so to see if it stays up for 24 hrs. Modern polymers are very durable; UV damage is the big killer, followed by chafe.
