According to the Trenton, NJ, company, its proprietary Switlik inflation valve can malfunction if it is exposed to an “unusual and extreme combination of temperatures.” The problem became apparent earlier this year after a weather one-two punch featuring a hot summer followed by record low winter temperatures in the Northeast. The conditions which might result in a problem are exposure to temperatures above 95° F followed by exposure to temperatures below 20° F.

Company president Richard Switlik explained: “These temperatures are well within the normal operating range of the valve, which is built to meet international standards, but it was the combination of hot and cold temperatures that created just the right conditions for potential failure. Only this unusual combination of temperature extremes might possibly result in a failure.”

Apparently, extreme temperature swings cause O-ring seals in the valves to lose their elasticity. The valves are fitted with two pairs of O-ring seals. If the forward pair fails, the raft will self-inflate. If the other pair fails, the gas in the cylinder can escape, which normally would not be obvious until an attempt was made to use the raft.

Although Switlik reports that a handful of rafts self-inflated, the company says they’ve identified only one “suspected gas depletion.”

According to Switlik, “Most rafts will not experience this combination of temperatures and of those that do, virtually none will be affected.”

Owners of the listed life rafts who suspect that their units may have been exposed to temperature extremes and whose life rafts were serviced prior to June 15, 2004, should have their rafts serviced immediately.

Switlik will provide a free piston and O-ring replacement kit and is covering the cost of installation by a Switlik authorized service station.

The upgrade will be provided free during annual maintenance of rafts that may not have been exposed to extreme temperatures.

Switlik stresses that their life rafts "must be serviced annually by a factory authorized service station. While many recreational life raft owners do not follow the factory service recommendations, not being required to do so by regulation, or turn to unauthorized service stations, this would be a good excuse to get that overdue service done, and done right.”

The following Switlik life raft models are covered by the Safety Alert:

• MRP-10 mfr’d 9/96 to 4/1/04
• MD Series (MD-1, MD-2) mfr’d 4/97 to 4/1/04
• Coastal Series (CLR Mk-II) mfr’d 1/00 to 4/1/04
• USCG (CGR Mk-II) mfr’d 1/00 to 4/1/04
• SAR-6/8 Mk-I mfr’d 9/96 to 4/1/04
• SAR-6 Mk-II mfr’d 9/98 to 4/1/04
• POD-4 mfr’d 8/96 to 4/1/04
• POD-8 Marine mfr’d 08/01 to 4/1/04
• Any life rafts that have been re-equipped with S-2630-( ) valves mfr’d before 4/1/04

The Switlik safety alert is being conducted on a voluntary basis because life rafts are not regulated by the U.S. Coast Guard, which normally oversees defect recall campaigns of boats and marine engines.

Owners of the Switlik affected life rafts who have not already been contacted by the manufacturer should do so immediately, 609-587-3300 or e-mail info@switlik.com. More information about the safety alert is online at the company’s web site, www.switlik.com

(c) Copyright BoatU.S. Magazine, January 2005