Sobering

[jac]

Took the liferaft into an agent for service today and very glad we did.

They opened and started to inflate only for one of the pressure relief valves to split in half and for outside half to slide gracefully onto the floor. As we said, far rather discover in a shed on the banks of the hamble than in the middle of the channel.

So go get yours serviced!

 

[maby]

How out of date was it? That seems like a pretty dramatic failure for a liferaft that was just a year past its service interval!!

 

[jac]

How out of date was it? That seems like a pretty dramatic failure for a liferaft that was just a year past its service interval!!

Don't know. The boat was new to us earlier this year and the liferaft had no service record. The service centre suspected 2001 build and nothing to indicate any work since then.

 

[maby]

Don't know. The boat was new to us earlier this year and the liferaft had no service record. The service centre suspected 2001 build and nothing to indicate any work since then.

Ah, ok - that could make sense. It would be a bit worrying for any liferaft to show such a dramatic failure shortly past its service interval!

 

[Leighb]

Can apply to life jackets also, we took ours in for a proper check and service this year.

The 2 relatively new ones were fine, just needing replacement trigger cartridges and gas cylinders.

The older 2 both failed on pressure test.

We had blown these up by mouth every year and changed the gas bottles as appropriate, however we were told that only a pressure test will reveal some significant leaks.

Result, we now have 2 new LJs, and are glad we had them checked as they could well have failed if ever needed in anger.

 

[[70521]]

Don't know. The boat was new to us earlier this year and the liferaft had no service record. The service centre suspected 2001 build and nothing to indicate any work since then.

That might have been the issue then

 

[Talulah]

When the pressure relief valves split in half did it still stay inflated? Just wondering if the pressure relief valves are meant to do this.

 

[jac]

When the pressure relief valves split in half did it still stay inflated? Just wondering if the pressure relief valves are meant to do this.

No it didn't and they aren't. The valve itself was attached by two plastic rings, one outside and one inside the tube. Basically the top piece came loose leaving a one inch diameter hole.

XM offshore 4 person raft.

 

[Talulah]

Maybe it's linked to this recall.
http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?153552-XM-BFA-liferaft-service-and-recall

 

[prv]

Maybe it's linked to this recall.
http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?153552-XM-BFA-liferaft-service-and-recall

Does sound like it - that thread mentions a problem with the valves, and the dates tie up.

Pete

 

[jac]

Could well be correct as was a German manufacturer. So for 5 years that liferaft has been trundling round as a waste of space.

Has been condemned and probably scrapped now anyway. With air cylinder, flares, etc also expired would have been touch and go economically to repair as opposed to buy a replacement.

But if it was known about 5 years ago it does make you think.