liferaft servicing

[rotrax]

For what its worth, we have an Italian made liferaft supplied to an American company and sold under their American brand name. Quite expensive-1500 Dollars seven years ago. It required its first service last year.
Unable to find anyone in the UK or nearby Europe to service it we photographed it as we took it in bits and inflated it in our conservatory.
Four days later, happy that it looked good and stayed up, we evacuated it using a dinghy pump, replaced the out of date stuff, water and the batteries in the lamp and repacked it.
It was a bit tough getting it back into the valise, but its all ok now.
It cost about thirty quid-and I know it is done right.
The regulations regarding certification are in my view absurd for leisure use-they are intended to stop unscrupulous commercial operators skimping on the servicing thus endangering the lives of crew and paying passengers.
Bottom line is a liferaft is a liferaft-they dont differ much except for the firing head.
Food for thought perhaps?

 

[Mrnotming]

For what its worth, we have an Italian made liferaft supplied to an American company and sold under their American brand name. Quite expensive-1500 Dollars seven years ago. It required its first service last year.
Unable to find anyone in the UK or nearby Europe to service it we photographed it as we took it in bits and inflated it in our conservatory.
Four days later, happy that it looked good and stayed up, we evacuated it using a dinghy pump, replaced the out of date stuff, water and the batteries in the lamp and repacked it.
It was a bit tough getting it back into the valise, but its all ok now.
It cost about thirty quid-and I know it is done right.
The regulations regarding certification are in my view absurd for leisure use-they are intended to stop unscrupulous commercial operators skimping on the servicing thus endangering the lives of crew and paying passengers.
Bottom line is a liferaft is a liferaft-they dont differ much except for the firing head.
Food for thought perhaps?

Rotrax, I've done this also with AVON valise type and was quite happy with the outcome, found a refiller(checker) of the special gas mix etc.

However, as Sterling has a marked increased value lately, I would say if you lived in Wales or liverpool, it could possibly be arranged to have a raft shifted to Dublin Port by arrangement with Irish Ferries Stena, P&O or Seatruck.
Tom would I'm sure be glad of the business:
http://www.solasmarine.net/servicing.htm
He is a short distance away in Dun Laoghaire (former HSS terminal) no ferry now.
By arrangement he could pick it up in Dublin and return it for carriage back.

Another way would be to book a motorist short crossing, and arrange for Tom to have the bits in stock for your particular raft, and perhaps if it is a 48 hour fare, you could sample the delights of Dublin and environs, having dropped off the liferaft, and collect before the ferry return passage.
Or have a little holiday further afield in Ireland, taking a more leisurely break.Good Value at the moment.
Just a few ideas to take advantage of the strong Sterling, it may not last much longer?

 

[rotrax]

Our boat is currently in Bangor NI-we will be leaving for Gosport via the Irish East Coast after leaving Peel when the MGP and Classic TT is over in early September.
Sounds like it is worth talking to Tom at Solas Marine-thanks.