Hey thanks everyone for you advise. Cheers
Places like marine safe will service you life jacket.... if they aren't up to their armpits in work they will do it while you wait.
they will then issue you with a certificate of test and afix a test tag to the jacket.
I am very concerned when the inspectors voice personal opinion that does not align with printed and gazetted government polocy.
But that is nothing new.
cheers
Its the details, those little details, that make the difference.
Hey thanks everyone for you advise. Cheers
Dont know why fisheries are telling you this cause i think its more the water polices territory but i will say i got pulled over in the bay a couple of weeks ago and got caught for having life jackets that didnt comply to standards, i was unaware that they didnt comply but they did say that any life jackets made before 1998 do not comply and you can be issued an infringement notice. Just one of those things you never really think of checking but can be costly if you dont!
Cheers Don
Fellas found a place at slacks creek that services inflatable vests.
RFD Australia, 21 randall street , Slacks Creek 4127 : PH 38088918
Maybe the fisheries are getting a little confused with what they have to do to comply. Both the Fisheries and Water Police wear inflatable lifejackets but because they are under survey they are required to carry "coastal" foam jackets as inflatable jackets do not comply with survey requirements unless they are to SOLAS standard.
There is not much to go wrong with the inflatable jackets as long as you ensure you inflate the jacket for 12 hours and check the weight of the CO2 cylinder and make sure it is not corroded. The CO2 cylinder does not have an expiry.
As long as you have an approved foam jacket on board you should not have to have your inflatable tested.
This is obviously just a legal point as you do not have to wear a jacket, just have an approved one on board. Just don't wear your inflatable across a bar if you can't prove it has been tested.
Just a personal opinion on inflatable life jackets.
If the M.O.B. is unconscious, what good will the inflatable jacket be if he cant pull the pin to inflate it?
Just a thought.
Steve
A very reasonable thaught...that is why you can buy auto inflate jackets, that inflate when immersed.
But there are things to consider there too.
cheers
Its the details, those little details, that make the difference.
To expand on Oldboot's post - What if you were wearing a standard PFD1 (or auto-inflatable) and were caught inside the cabin of an upturned vessel? Supposedly very difficult to get out of a jacket once in the water, and particularly so when holding your breath.
For someone likely to panic in the water, an auto-inflate or standard pfd may be best. (Just hope you don't get trapped in an upturned boat)
For boats likely to encounter conditions that could possibly lead to overturning (ie. barcrossings); or for situations where you are likely to get fairly wet onboard the boat (open tinnies or centre consoles, castnetting etc), then the manual inflation (pull the ripcord) may be more applicable.
Just my opinion, Cheers.
We have a new rule on our boat (my rule not some government rule) that everyone person has to have a lifejacket on at all times. The kids have their normal jackets on and we wear inflating jackets at all times. We have the standard ones for us stowed as well.
I figure it is the best example to set for the kids and also the life of every person who goes on board our boat is precious. Accidents can happen even to the most experienced angler and safety should never be taken for granted. I thought they would annoy me at first but now don't even notice that it is on. Also thought that friends might object but the rule is if it's not on, your not on and so far everyone has just grabbed a jacket.
We went manual inflating because we had self inflating and they inflated in the back of the car and the bedroom floor even before they saw the water.
Cheers,
Janelle