PRESS RELEASE 

SeaSafe System’s groundbreaking Lifejacket Service Point scheme is intended to make lifejacket servicing an accessible, hassle-free and cost-effective experience for all lifejacket users.

Visitors to the PSP Southampton Boat Show will be able to drop their lifejackets for service at the SeaSafe Systems stand, where there will be a special Lifejacket Service Point set up as part of the scheme’s launch. Other Lifejacket Service Points can already be found at marinas across the south coast, as the scheme has been gradually rolled out since its launch at Seawork 2011.

How does the scheme work? Simply take your lifejacket to the Lifejacket Service Point at participating marinas, fill in the sticky label provided by the harbour office, place your lifejacket with the bag provided, attach your label and pop it into the box. SeaSafe Systems will then come and collect the box, service your lifejacket, and return it to the drop off point. In just a few simple steps, you will have your lifejacket fully serviced and checked, so that you can feel safe in the knowledge that it will work should you need it.

Castle Marinas is one of the early adopters of the scheme. Sam Bourne says; "Castle Marinas believe that the safety of their customers is paramount and, in particular, the maintenance and checking of life-jackets is often neglected. Lifejackets lie in lockers until needed or are actually worn but give no sign that they will not inflate or that the air cylinder is empty. Providing a Lifejacket Service Point scheme means we can work with SeaSafe to keep our customers safe.”

It is believed that a high percentage of lifejackets are never serviced and it is estimated that a high number would fail when needed; is it worth taking the risk? SeaSafe Systems’ new Lifejacket Service Point scheme now makes it easy for anyone spending time on or near the water to help ensure their own personal safety.

£9.95 is a small price to pay for that. And what’s more, SeaSafe will even pick up the bill to cover the delivery costs! The cost for any replacement parts that are required will be advised in advance of any work being carried out, and an individual certificate and an itemised invoice is supplied for each lifejacket serviced. The scheme covers all types of leisure lifejackets.

A pilot version of the scheme is already underway, with number of marina operators already successfully running the scheme. Participating ports and marinas receive a commission for every lifejacket serviced, and on future sales from owners of lifejackets collected as part of the scheme from that Lifejacket Service Point.

The UK Harbour Masters Association Secretary, Peter Moth, says; “SeaSafe are well known to our members in the port and harbour sector for the quality of manufacture and reliability of servicing of professional safety clothing for harbour masters and maritime pilots. We welcome the introduction of this new service which we hope will offer similar levels of lifejacket safety to all commercial mariners in UK waters.”

A total of 15 marinas have already signed up to the scheme. To locate your nearest Lifejacket Service Point, or further details on becoming a participating port or marina, contact SeaSafe on 01983 282388.