[PUP] Liferaft inspection and recommendations

[Dave Cooper]

<Scott wrote: I had my life raft repacked yesterday.   I learned a lot, much
of which was not as positive as I had hoped.>

I wish I could say wow but over the years Scott's experience have matched
ours. More often than not the liferaft's were basically condemned by our
repacker in ST Thomas when sent for repack. Seams that had delaminated,
tanks that were corroded, the list goes on.

Our last go around was 3 Plastimos Oceans 8 man, 2 Beauforts, an Avon and a
Zodiac. The oldest one was 6 years and all had been recertified at least
once. Four different repackers were on the papers. All were hard cases that
had been stored on deck in cradles. All had done at least one Trans-Atlantic
or South Africa to the BVI voyage. The oldest had been recertified twice!
Either the folks certifying them looked over their shoulders and if no one
was looking put a quick stamp on the pack, signed the papers and shoved them
out the door or they were blind.

I have, as Scott did, watched many repackers do their job and do it well. We
don't always get this opportunity so what you have is what you have. Better
to be there and watch the repack than find this out when the need arise to
deploy one.

We no longer have the ability to fly liferafts so once away from a major
port we are left with whatever facilities at hand. This make it even more
important to be there, ask questions and observe your raft to make sure it
holds air and is repacked with the kit you want. Then sealed correctly as
Scott points out to avoid the intrusion of water and air.

It's hard to believe that these items which cost anywhere for $4K to 7K for
a six man ocean SOLAS raft and have such a short or even more scary,
unusable life.

A good quality life raft will cost you $1000/yr for the repacks plus the
amortization of the initial cost. A lot of money for something that may or
may not be used. BUT when you need it no cost is too much!

Good on Scott from bringing this very important subject up!

Cheers

Dave & Nancy
Swan Song
Roughwater 58