PFD inflators give false ‘ready’ status
The manufacturer has alerted Mustang, Protexion and Stearns about the problem
PFD inflators give false ‘ready’ status
The manufacturer has alerted Mustang, Protexion and Stearns about the problem
Halkey-Roberts Corp. has alerted several PFD manufacturers that the inflators it produces can indicate a “ready” status when carbon dioxide cylinders with bayonet tips are improperly installed. If the CO2 cylinder isn’t put in correctly, the PFD won’t automatically inflate upon contact with water.
Manufacturers that received the notification earlier this summer were Mustang Survival of Bellingham, Wash. (www.mustangsurvival.com); Protexion Products Inc. of Guelph, Ontario (www.nautilusbyprotexion.com ); and Stearns Inc. of Saulk Rapids, Minn. (www.stearnsinc.com ). It wasn’t immediately known how many PFDs are affected.
Halkey-Roberts says it has changed the labels on the inflators to better explain how to install the cylinders. “We’re doing everything the Coast Guard has recommended. We want to make sure that the customers know exactly what to do,” says John Lucius, Halkey-Roberts vice president of inflation systems. “We’ve changed the label so it clearly says to push the CO2 cylinder in and to turn it. We’ve also changed the spring inside to make sure the unit ejects if it isn’t properly loaded.”
To secure a CO2 cylinder with a bayonet tip, the cylinder has to be pushed into the receiver and turned clockwise to a full stop, according to Halkey-Roberts. If the cylinder isn’t turned into place, the mechanism is designed to eject it.
The Coast Guard became aware of the problem when a consumer who hadn’t turned the cylinder properly got the green indicator but the unit didn’t eject, according to Coast Guard spokesperson Jolie Shifflet. Boaters should check the model number on the manufacturer’s label to see if a life jacket is affected, Shifflet says.
Updated CO2 cylinder installation instructions are available on the manufacturers’ Web sites. If the PFD doesn’t eject an unturned cylinder, it’s recommended that consumers call the manufacturer for servicing.
PFDs affected
Mustang Survival
(800) 661-6181
www.mustangsurvival.com
MC1900 automatic
MC1900HR automatic with harness
MD0100 LIFT Vest manual
MD0200 LIFT Vest automatic
MD3081 manual
MD3082 manual with harness
MD3083 automatic
MD3084 automatic with harness, all colors and styles
Protexion Products Inc.
(800) 268-3112
www.nautilusbyprotexion.com
NIV3000 manual
NIV3500 manual with harness
NIV4000 automatic
NIV4500 automatic with harness
Stearns Inc.
(800) 328-3208, Ext. 1
www.stearnsinc.com
38MLNG manual
38MHRN manual with harness
24MSPT manual
38MREG manual
38MBP manual
38ASSTD automatic
38ASHAR automatic with harness
38ASPRO automatic
38CHR automatic and manual
1469 automatic
1473 automatic with harness
