Ocean Safety liferaft condemned, is the material any use for anything?

[jerrytug]

Ocean Safety in Plymouth have said my 6-yr old ISO Charter has failed the leak test, and is scrap.

Has anyone used old liferafts to make hatch covers, or tiller covers etc, is it easy to sew? Is it a lifetime supply of dinghy patch material?

Or is it any use to anyone? It's 100% certain that any leak can be patched, perhaps it would make a good beach toy or paddling pool, or be good for practising using a liferaft? In fact the latter sounds like a plan.

And how does a £1000 liferaft, which has spent 5 yrs in a sealed watertight box, and supposedly passed some extra quality control tests to be 'ISO charter', turn in to condemned scrap without seeing daylight? Weevils?

I am extremely suspicious about the whole business, they were very keen to sell me a new one. And they recommended the same again...

 

[sailorman]

contact the MD of Ocean Safety & ask his opinion

 

[wilkinsonsails]

We have had rafts serviced that where 12 yrs old without probs Jerry .Even a Seago inflated perfectly just needed a new battery for the light .Contact SEMS in Basildon for a more reasonable selection
Cindy

 

[jerrytug]

contact the MD of Ocean Safety & ask his opinion

Yes I will thanks.

 

[jerrytug]

We have had rafts serviced that where 12 yrs old without probs Jerry .Even a Seago inflated perfectly just needed a new battery for the light .Contact SEMS in Basildon for a more reasonable selection
Cindy

Yes I will thanks Cindy

 

[pvb]

And how does a £1000 liferaft, which has spent 5 yrs in a sealed watertight box, and supposedly passed some extra quality control tests to be 'ISO charter', turn in to condemned scrap without seeing daylight? Weevils?

I am extremely suspicious about the whole business, they were very keen to sell me a new one. And they recommended the same again...

I'd suggest your raft wasn't fit for purpose. Such an early failure is unacceptable. Perhaps your contact with Ocean Safety might result in a heavily-discounted replacement.

 

[jerrytug]

I'd suggest your raft wasn't fit for purpose. Such an early failure is unacceptable. Perhaps your contact with Ocean Safety might result in a heavily-discounted replacement.

I agree! The early condemnation will be well publicised by me, rest assured, as would any gesture such as you mention.

Thanks for your advice, I'm glad it's not just me who feels that a certified, top-dollar product shouldn't develop a leak without being touched, cheers Jerry

 

[sailorman]

I agree! The early condemnation will be well publicised by me, rest assured, as would any gesture such as you mention.

Thanks for your advice, I'm glad it's not just me who feels that a certified, top-dollar product shouldn't develop a leak without being touched, cheers Jerry

i believe the test does actually over inflate the raft.

 

[Cantata]

I'd suggest your raft wasn't fit for purpose. Such an early failure is unacceptable. Perhaps your contact with Ocean Safety might result in a heavily-discounted replacement.

Quite.
For example, I have a 12-year old XM/Bfa liferaft, supposedly cheapo stuff, just passed another test at ADEC, who said again that these ones last very well.

 

[cagey]

Hi Jerry
Try CEBanyard in Lostwithiel, honest reliable and reasonable although his delivery promises are a bit hazy!have used him a few times and always been happy. He will tell if its a skip or service job.
Happies
Keith

 

[jwilson]

I'm glad I didn't buy one about 6 years ago, thought of getting that exact type to fit on pushpit but carried on renting a valise one each season....

 

[GrahamM376]

What guarantee period did it have when new? Our Plastimo Offshore had a 12 year one and was 20 years old when we decided to replace it.

 

[sailorman]

my BFA passed @ 20 yrs old & was then ebayed, i now have a Zodic. the 6 man BFA was smaller & lighter tan the 4 man Zodiac

 

[Giblets]

Jerry, have you thought about posting a comment on OS's Twitter feed? @oceansafety.

 

[charles_reed]

My XM badged BfA has completed its 18th year of use. Apart from one repairable leak, and replacement 1st aid, water and pyrotechnics its still OK.

I'd definitely think you've a "not fit for use" argument and as a preliminary would suggest involving (on a friendly basis) your local Trading Standards (before letting the suppliers dig into their defensive positions).

If Ocean Safety supplied the raft, they're showing remarkably little sense of self-preservation.

Incidentally this has nothing to do with warranties, guarantees or anything else - don't get involved in any discussions about those - it has to do with the suppliers misleading you and selling a useless product.

If you wish to seriously challenge them you'd better know your way around this:- http://www.iso.org/iso/iso_catalogue/catalogue_tc/catalogue_detail.htm?csnumber=45643

Unfortunately it's not free and SFr 58 might be considered a trifle expensive.