Boating Recall: SWITLIK PARACHUTE COMPANY RECALLS MARINE LIFE RAFTS

IF YOU ARE THE OWNER OF A MARINE LIFE RAFT MANUFACTURED BY SWITLIK PARACHUTE COMPANY, IT MAY HAVE A POTENTIAL PROBLEM WITH THE INFLATION SYSTEM. THIS IS NOT OBVIOUS AND COULD CAUSE FALSE RELIANCE ON A LIFE RAFT THAT, IF NEEDED, MAY NOT INFLATE AND FUNCTION AS A LIFE SAVING DEVICE.
Sub: SAFETY ALERT and RECALL
Ref: Service Information Bulletin No. SIB-08144

We have had reports recently from two Life Raft Service Stations of Switlik Life Raft inflation valves failing to operate properly and discharge the gas from the CO2 cylinder into the life raft. These malfunctions occurred during performance of annual service and standard 5-year operational and inflation testing.

Inspection of these valves indicated clear signs of changes in the consistency of the lubricant and a degradation of the piston O-ring material. This resulted in the O-rings adhering to the pistons and valve bodies, causing the inflation valves to malfunction.

We are implementing a corrective action that mandates replacement of the inflation valve with a valve that does not utilize this O-ring material and lubricant combination. While the instances and percentages of improper inflation system operation are relatively small, this issue directly affects whether or not a life raft will properly inflate in case of an emergency. We feel that this valve replacement should occur at your earliest practical opportunity.

To facilitate the inflation valve Service Bulletin in the safest and most expeditious manner for you, we will be replacing, at no charge to you, the existing S-2630 inflation valve/s on your life raft. (You are responsible for complying with any normal recommended service procedures and transportation of the Life Raft to and from the service facility.)

YOUR SAFETY is of the utmost importance to us! Please contact Switlik Parachute Company at (609) 587-3300 or go to our web site, (www.switlik.com), for a listing of our Service Stations to schedule the servicing of your life raft and replacement of the inflation valve.
We regret this occurrence and the inconvenience it causes you. Although the probability that your life raft will not work as designed is small, we are addressing this issue by erring on the side of safety.

We thank you for your patience while we work to make your time on the water safer.
PARACHUTE COMPANY
Established 1920

Tags: MARINE LIFE RAFT RECALL, Boat Recalls, Life raft recall, U.S. Coast Guard's Boating Safety Division, SWITLIK PARACHUTE COMPANY RECALL

GROCO Through Hull Valve Recall

Some through hull valves manufactured by GROCO between 2004 and 2006 may experience premature valve stem corrosion resulting in failure to operate. Owners of GROCO models: IBV, FBV, FV and TWV are encouraged to visit the GROCO website for details.http://www.groco.net/svc-bltn/cat-svc-bltn-2-08.htm

MODELS: IBV, FBV, FV and TWV

GROCO's design for the imported valves series shown above specified a high-grade stainless steel valve stem. We have discovered that the stem material used in some of the valves manufactured between 2004 and 2006 may not have complied with our specifications. Valves with out-of-spec stems may not be suitable for salt-water use. Since the non-compliant silver color stems may fail when the valve is actuated we wish to have all such valves removed from service. GROCO will supply replacement valves at no charge.

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO:

Visually inspect the valve(s) on your boat. If the valve has a stainless steel stem (silver color), the valve should be replaced during the next scheduled haul-out.. Valves with a brass stem (yellow color) require no further action.

FAX GROCO (410) 712-0160 Department 224 with your request for replacement valves. Click here to send an E-mail.
Provide the following information:

• Your name, address, phone number and email-address
• Boat manufacturer, model and hull number
• Valve model(s), size(s) and quantity required
• Return ship-to details
• Purchase date and sales receipt copy

WHAT GROCO WILL DO:

• Provide an RGA number and shipping instructions
• Send no-charge replacements upon receipt of removed valves

IMPORTANT: To avoid inconvenience, confirm with GROCO Department 224 the immediate availability of the model, size and quantity you need BEFORE removing valves and sending them to GROCO.

tag: Boat Recalls, GROCO, through hull valve recall, GROCO recall

VIKING RescYou™ Liferafts Recall

This recall notice posted on Boating Safety Division alerts on The U.S. Coast Guard's Boating Safety Division, Viking does not give proper direct link to the recall information. It is also very hard to find the VIKING RescYou™ liferafts recall page once you are on the site. The following link will take you directly to the recall information Page:

VIKING RescYou™ liferafts Recall

SAFETY NOTICE - Recall

- Notice applies to VIKING RescYou™ liferafts

This recall covers certain serial numbers of the yachting and fishing liferafts VIKING RescYou™ (UKL) and RescYou™ Pro (UKSL), sizes 4, 6 and 8 persons in either container or valise.

Click here to see examples of these liferafts. RescYou.pdf (PDF Contained only the picture shown above.)

The supplier of pressure relief valves, Thanner & Co A/S, has informed VIKING that potential problems in relation to their product Thanner type OTS 65 may cause the valve to break and prevent the liferaft from inflating properly. In the unlikely event that both valves are affected, the liferaft will sink. As a precautionary measure VIKING LIFE-SAVING EQUIPMENT A/S recommends that all Thanner valves of type OTS 65 used in RescYou™ liferafts be inspected and if necessary replaced.

Please check your type of liferaft and serial number on www.VIKING-yachting.com to see if your RescYou™ liferaft is at risk. The type and serial number can be found on the Certificate of Compliance that you received along with your liferaft. The type and serial number can also be seen on the registration label on the bottom of the liferaft container or if packed in a valise at the end of the valise.

Click here to see the registration label UKL/UKSL: RescYou2.pdf

If your RescYou™ liferaft is found to be at risk and thus affected by this recall, please contact a VIKING approved servicing station for a valve inspection. A full list and contact details of applicable servicing stations are available on www.VIKING-yachting.com. Any necessary valve replacement will of course be free of charge for you.

For further information please visit www.VIKING-yachting.com or contact VIKING toll free at (877) 848-1057.

We thank you for your cooperation and apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

Remain assured that your safety is our priority throughout the lifetime of your liferaft.

VIKING LIFE-SAVING EQUIPMENT A/S

Headquarters Denmark: +45 76118100 Americas: +1 305 614 5800

Spain: +34 91-5624833, United Kingdom: +44 2380454184

France: +33 (0) 160 87 09 00 Asia: +65 6424 9200

Questions_modification@viking-life.com

tag: Boat Recalls, VIKING RescYou™ liferafts Recall, VIKING RescYou, U.S. Coast Guard's Boating Safety Division, VIKING-yachting recall

BFA Marine Life Raft Recall

BFA Life Raft Recall

BFA marine (*) has identified some overpressure valves failures (**) on life rafts in use (***), which may lead to a complete deflation of the compartment when broken.

The following serial numbered rafts are involved in this recall:
- 5 digits - rafts with serial numbers from 10001 to 50180
- 12 digits - all rafts with serial numbers beginning with "XDC"

In the event both overpressure valves of the 2 independent compartments would happen to break, the life raft will not be functional anymore and be useless.

As a preventive measure, BFA marine urges its owners to bring back, without delay, their life raft to the nearest BFA approved service station, in order to check and potentially replace those overpressure valves.

The valve replacement will be free of charge. This is yet your responsibility to bring the life raft to the service station for inspection.

Please contact BFA marine if you need any help to select the adequate station.
In the event you may have condemned or sold the life raft, we would be grateful to inform BFA marine by return, and provide the buyer address.

This corrective action does not affect, neither the recommended servicing schedule, nor the warranty period.
We apologize for the inconvenience, and remain at your disposal for any enquiry you may have.

(*) a brand of Zodiac International company
(**) due to mis assembly operation
(***) Models concerned : ATLANTIC, PACIFIC, BALTIC, XM/BFA OFFSHORE

tag: Boat Recalls, BFA Life Raft Recall, BFA Life Boat Recall, overpressure valves failure, ATLANTIC, PACIFIC, BALTIC, XM/BFA OFFSHORE

Nobeltec Navigation Software Defect

Nobeltec Navigation Software Defect
Certain Nobeltec Passport chart features (including, but not limited to buoys, markers, contours, underwater obstructions, etc.) may display incorrectly, or not at all, when used in conjunction with certain Nobeltec navigation software packages, and original equipment manufacturer (OEM) solutions.

When affected navigation software and OEM plotter solutions are used in conjunction with affected Passport charting products certain chart features may not always and/or may not correctly display on the navigation system screen.

Missing and/or incorrectly displayed information may represent a hazard if navigators are misusing affected products by relying solely on them for primary navigation, instead of placing primary reliance on up-to-date official government charts.

For further information and correction of defects visit the following link NobeltecAlert1.pdf

Jeppesen Marine will supply, free of charge: - Corrected and updated versions of affected charting products to current users of the affected Passport Chart Versions.
- Downloadable software patches for all affected versions of Nobeltec software and OEM solutions
- Software patches for affected versions of OEM navigation software will be provided to all users in conjunction with the OEM.

For additional help in determining if your software or navigation system is affected; or to obtain corrected software, visit www.nobeltec.com/support/bulletin.htm, or by telephone at Jeppesen Marine worldwide customer support, 1-800-732-2800 Toll free in the U.S.A.
tag: Boat Recalls, Boat Advisory, Nobeltec Navigation Software Defect