One of the items in the check list to
our preparation for crossing the Pacific Ocean next year was the
liferaft which, according to the inspection seal on it, was not
checked since 2001!
During our stay in St Lucia we decided
to make that extra investment. One investment that we, sincerely,
hope never need to use!
 |
| Opening the PLASTIMO liferaft |
The place to do it was the local agent
of PLASTIMO, the brand of our liferaft, the Liferaft & InflatableCenter in St Lucia, owned by a couple living here for decades. One
the requirements we had, due to the limited budget, was to give in
exchange a electric stove we had on board since we bought a gas stove
in St Maarten! Fortunately it was possible to do business and the
stove paid for a substancial part of the bill.
 |
| The Force10 electric stove |
Another of the requirements was to see
the inspection being made, both the opening and the sealing of the
box. The company did not raised any obstacles for us to be present
and see the whole process, which made us more confident on a good
service.
Inspecting the liferafts is not
mandatory in most countries but for us, since we plan our life at
sea, is more than required, is essential. Our lives may depend on it,
though we hope never have to use it. But if needed, we don’t want
to be surprised seeing not working!
The whole process took about three
days, being opened and closed in our presence and as you can see in
the video. Interior was surprisingly in excellent conditions,
however, all the emergency equipment was more than overdue and all
had to be replaced.
Liferaft SailingDee from Sailing Dee on Vimeo.
The list is as follows:
Waterproof Flashlight and batteries
Flares with parachute
Handheld flares
Orange-coloured smoke
Seasickness pills
Repair Kit
First aid kit
Whistle
Blue adhesive tape
Super glue
There were food and water for the six
persons also, items that were not replaced because we have a portable
watermaker in the ditch bag to abandon the ship.
Was also inspected and replaced the CO2
cylinder and was made a Hydro test valid until 2019.
The liferaft is for six persons,
manufactured in 1995 and certified for use at high sea.
The total service cost was $ 4260EC
(about US $ 1600) and was isssued an inspection certificate valid for
two years according to SOLAS regulations and the resolution 9185528
IMO. The company advised us to do another inspection after two years
to check especially if the floor of the liferaft is in good
conditions and change the glue that holds the whole structure. This
is the biggest problem of the liferafts and should be always checked
whenever possible to avoid problems when using it.
The advice was to insist on re-gluing
the floor of the liferaft whenever a inspection is done to make sure
that the floor is in place and will not come out!
 |
| Folding it in |
The service provided by Liferaft &Inflatable Center was professional and completely open, without any hidden details. Everything was
discussed with us and they were always very attentive and tried
everything to see us satisfied. This, for us, was very important as
we are in a very short budget and they made us feel that the they
take care of our the clients the same way, since we were not a
priority customer arriving with a full wallet.
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Preparing Dee’s Liferaft for Pacific Crossing
our preparation for crossing the Pacific Ocean next year was the
liferaft which, according to the inspection seal on it, was not
checked since 2001!
to make that extra investment. One investment that we, sincerely,
hope never need to use!
The place to do it was the local agent
of PLASTIMO, the brand of our liferaft, the Liferaft & InflatableCenter in St Lucia, owned by a couple living here for decades. One
the requirements we had, due to the limited budget, was to give in
exchange a electric stove we had on board since we bought a gas stove
in St Maarten! Fortunately it was possible to do business and the
stove paid for a substancial part of the bill.
Another of the requirements was to see
the inspection being made, both the opening and the sealing of the
box. The company did not raised any obstacles for us to be present
and see the whole process, which made us more confident on a good
service.
mandatory in most countries but for us, since we plan our life at
sea, is more than required, is essential. Our lives may depend on it,
though we hope never have to use it. But if needed, we don’t want
to be surprised seeing not working!
days, being opened and closed in our presence and as you can see in
the video. Interior was surprisingly in excellent conditions,
however, all the emergency equipment was more than overdue and all
had to be replaced.
Liferaft SailingDee from Sailing Dee on Vimeo.
persons also, items that were not replaced because we have a portable
watermaker in the ditch bag to abandon the ship.
cylinder and was made a Hydro test valid until 2019.
manufactured in 1995 and certified for use at high sea.
(about US $ 1600) and was isssued an inspection certificate valid for
two years according to SOLAS regulations and the resolution 9185528
IMO. The company advised us to do another inspection after two years
to check especially if the floor of the liferaft is in good
conditions and change the glue that holds the whole structure. This
is the biggest problem of the liferafts and should be always checked
whenever possible to avoid problems when using it.
the floor of the liferaft whenever a inspection is done to make sure
that the floor is in place and will not come out!
discussed with us and they were always very attentive and tried
everything to see us satisfied. This, for us, was very important as
we are in a very short budget and they made us feel that the they
take care of our the clients the same way, since we were not a
priority customer arriving with a full wallet.
Email This
BlogThis!
Share to Twitter
Share to Facebook