replacement life raft

[superboots]

As suspected my 20 year old liferaft - in spite of canister and vacuum packaging was completely perished - well roasted from the med heat! Thinking about replacement options. used liferafts as advertised all need servicing and are usually 5+ years old . Post 10 years with servicing costs it becomes financially nonviable to maintain. Generally people selling used rafts get more than its worth especially when cost of collection is factored in. I would also need to take to the boat in Turkey which would be another problem. Buying in Turkey is very expensive - 30% import tariff +18% VAT ( maybe a possibility to recover the VAT but this would also involve expense and customs agent etc) Buying new in UK will include VAT which may be recoverable but not without expense,. Wondering if some one has experience on this matter

 

[cmedsailor]

Have you checked the prices in Greece (depending where you are in Turkey of course)? Plenty of selection in prices there.

 

[awol]

After 20 years of non-use and if a used one will do, is it really a necessity? Warm water and not too many sharks, won't a lifejacket and a h/h radio cover the risk of fire/sinking?

 

[Graham376]

Have you checked the prices in Greece (depending where you are in Turkey of course)? Plenty of selection in prices there.

SeaSafe life rafts available in Greece and Turkey, Nautic Service Sauvetage - Radeaux de Survie Sea-Safe (nautic-service-sauvetage.com)

 

[superboots]

Has anyone purchased in the UK a liferaft VAT free (without a company ) or recovered VAT on personal export. There used to be a green form scheme - for wealthy foreigners to recover VAT on their luxury purchases when returning home but I think this has been stopped. If so how did you do this?

 

[Graham376]

Has anyone purchased in the UK a liferaft VAT free (without a company ) or recovered VAT on personal export. There used to be a green form scheme - for wealthy foreigners to recover VAT on their luxury purchases when returning home but I think this has been stopped. If so how did you do this?

As you suggest, the retail scheme for recovery of VAT on personal export has finished. Under the rules, retailers are responsible for dispatching export goods and filling in the necessary paperwork, would be breaking the rules to supply VAT free to you. Transport costs and customs paperwork/formalities have now made most things cheaper to buy in country of destination unless they will fit in luggage for personal transportation.

 

[coopec]

Have you thought of hiring one?
hire liferafts UK - Google Search

I bought my liferaft from a re-cycle yard for $200 (I live in a fishing village) I took it along to the people who service liferafts and they openened it up and inspected it and said there is nothing wrong with it and they wanted to service it. By law liferafts on professional fishing boats must be inspected every year.

 

[TNLI]

One expensive solution is a Portland Pudgey, it will cost around 5 grand with the extras, but is one fun little tender or life raft, particularly if you have to leave your pride and joy upwind of something nasty, like a reef or cliff face. No need to service, just replace the EPIRB battery and flares when due,