EPIRB and Red Hand Held Flare Recall

[seawind8]

I came across this on the Qld Government Maritime Safety page last night. It is a recall on Red hand held flares and GME EPIRB. The address for this page is http://www.msq.qld.gov.au/ from there you can click on both links. It is also a reminder to check exp dates.
Cheers

[Salty2]

I recently checked my GME MT403G (GPS version) to see if it was in the range of serial numbers being recalled. It wasn't, but when I gave it the usual selftest that I do every trip it failed to strobe or beep. The unit was about 5 years old and due for replacement next year. I spoke to GME (Standard Communications Sydney) and they were quite good and offered to replace it under warranty. I posted it away($15) and it was replaced with a brand new one within about 2 weeks.

I was a bit worried that if I had have needed to use it anytime in the last 6 months, then it wouldn't have lasted very long at all. This is presuming it had a flat battery. I have not received a report to say what was wrong with it.
As nearly all these 406MHz epirbs were bought about five years ago when the new standard came in, then they are nearly all due for replacement very soon. There may be a shortage of supply again as everyone tries to replace theirs at the same time. I would also strongly recommend that you check the current working condition of your unit. It may pay to replace it with a new unit earlier then anticipated. They can be purchased on-line for as little as $289 delivered to your door.(GPS model) Don't forget to re-register it on-line at AMSA 406 beacon registry. You can update it with at the special section for 'replacement epirbs' and they will post a new sticker out in a few weeks. I found that a few of my other contact details were out of date too and needed changing.

[Salty2]

Drew Marine Signal & Safety Australia Pty Ltd—###### Red Hand Flare MK2 - Marine Distress Signal

PRA number: 2014/14147
Date published: 13^th June 2014
Product information

Product description

###### Red Hand Flare, these items are sold as singles and are included in the ###### Inshore Flare kit, the New South Wales Offshore kit and the South Australia Offshore kit.Identifying features

###### Red Hand flares only, Lot Numbers 3186 to 3260 inclusive.What are the defects?

Testing has revealed that some ###### Red Hand Flares showed inconsistent performance.What are the hazards?

Certain flares may pose a potential fire hazard caused by the emission of hot particles from the flare.Dates available for sale

• 14^th February 2014 - 11^th June 2014

Where the product was sold

• Nationally

Supplier

Drew Marine Signal & Safety Australia Pty LtdSupplier's web site

http://www.######-marine.comWhat should consumers do?

Consumers should cease using the product and return the ###### Red Hand flares to the place of purchase where the product will be replaced free of charge. Please note these products are classfied Dangerous Goods 1.4G and must be transported accordingly.

For further information, please contact Drew Marine Signal & Safety Australia Pty Ltd on +61 3 9614 2722 or email info@######-marine.com