Service requirements for inflatable lifejackets
The servicing of inflatable lifejackets can create some confusion, particularly when a yacht inspector asks for the current service certificate.
The Safety Regulations of Sailing specify that all equipment must be serviced in accordance with the manufacturer's requirements.
Below is a summary of the requirements of the most common lifejackets as at June 2021:
| Brand | Distributor | Service Interval | Service Centre name | Location |
| Baltic | Kiwi Yachting | 12 months | Safety at Sea | Auckland |
| Secumar | Kiwi Yachting | 24 months | Safety at Sea | Auckland |
| Spinlock | Lusty & Blundell | 12 months | Lusty & Blundell | Auckland |
| Crewsaver | Survitec | 12 months | RFD | National |
| Burnsco | Burnsco | 12 months | Self Service or Transport & Marine | Tauranga |
| Edge | Burnsco | 12 months | Self Service or Transport & Marine | Tauranga |
| Kru | Hutchwilco | 24 months | Wilco | Auckland |
| Hutchwilco | Hutchwilco | 12 months | Self service or Wilco | Auckland |
For the lifejackets that specify a self-service option, the exact requirements are available in document form from the retailer or online which includes a self-declaration certificate confirming that the checks have been done in accordance with the manufacturer's requirement.
Please don’t overlook the specified periodic checks required between services. You might well pick up any issues before they become a life-threatening problem.
Contact your distributor if you have are any queries that can't be answered online.
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