Liferaft testing

[djefabs]

Can anybody put me onto a local (Solent/South Coast) based company that could inspect and test my 6 man liferaft. 3 year test is due. Had a couple of verbal quotes about £300/£400 which seems a bit OTT. Could be worth sending to Norwest in Liverpool as £60.00 + cost of expired equip. + vat seems a lot more reasonable.

 

[Nick_H]

I need to get one done as well, but I can't help thinking this is one of those really skilled technical jobs that isn't, and ends up being done by the spotty yoof on work experience. Change the out of date stuff, check for wear and tear, check and weigh the cylinder, and re-pack, what more is there to it? Like most things, i'd trust myself to do it better than someone i'd never met. Has anyone serviced their own liferaft?

 

[jfm]

I need to get one done as well, but I can't help thinking this is one of those really skilled technical jobs that isn't, and ends up being done by the spotty yoof on work experience. Change the out of date stuff, check for wear and tear, check and weigh the cylinder, and re-pack, what more is there to it? Like most things, i'd trust myself to do it better than someone i'd never met. Has anyone serviced their own liferaft?

All agreed Nick, except the repacking is tricky to diy. I think they put it in a vacuum bag and vacuum it to compress it enough to fit back in the valise/canister. When I've had an itemised bill for the work the cost of a vacuum bag is generally included on the list

 

[djefabs]

All agreed Nick, except the repacking is tricky to diy. I think they put it in a vacuum bag and vacuum it to compress it enough to fit back in the valise/canister. When I've had an itemised bill for the work the cost of a vacuum bag is generally included on the list

Last had mine tested at Messenger Marine and did pay for raft to be vacuumed and then put back in hard container. Anybody know what became of Gary x Messenger or Mayday Marine ???

 

[Solitaire]

Last had mine tested at Messenger Marine and did pay for raft to be vacuumed and then put back in hard container. Anybody know what became of Gary x Messenger or Mayday Marine ???

He went bust! Probably because he charged to little. Derek, we get ours serviced at Ocean Safety - it's the replacing of the internals etc al. But prices quoted are about right.

 

[Jim@sea]

Tru story. A mate of mine had his liferaft in his garden shed. And the string got pulled. the liferaft inflated and trapped him in the garden shed. they had to cut the side out of the garden shed as he did not want the liferaft damaged. Anyway it needed a service anyway

 

[RogerRat]

I need to get one done as well,

Has anyone serviced their own liferaft?

Hey Derek, that makes three of us due a raft service, perhaps we can get the numbers up and get a bulk order deal.

I've not serviced a raft and I don't know what mine looks like inflated, I wouln't mind finding out in a test situation out but not for real if you see what I mean.

Still, if more than one helps cost, mines available at a marina near you.

 

[djefabs]

Hey Derek, that makes three of us due a raft service, perhaps we can get the numbers up and get a bulk order deal.

I've not serviced a raft and I don't know what mine looks like inflated, I wouln't mind finding out in a test situation out but not for real if you see what I mean.

Still, if more than one helps cost, mines available at a marina near you.

Hi Roger, it seems that is 4 of us because Rick's is due as well. Might give this http://www.norwestmarine.co.uk/liferaftservice.htm place a call and see what they can offer. Talk at weekend.