FYI -
Some good industry news to share...
~ Vicky MacFeidh
Seattle, WA
USCG Approves First Automatic Inflatable PFDs
The Personal Flotation Device Manufacturers Association (PFDMA) is
pleased to announce the approval of the first Manual/Automatic inflators
for use on fully inflatable life vests, and USCG approval of the first
inflatable life vests to use automatic backup inflators.
Halkey-Roberts Corp, St. Petersburg, FL, is the first company to be
awarded 6F recognition of their V85000 series inflators. 6F inflators
maybe used on Type V, USCG Approved for Type III inflatables. Stearns,
and their partner Secumar, will follow shortly with an inflator
approval.
Sporting Lives of Fruitland, Idaho, and manufacturer of the "SOSPENDERS"
line of inflatables was simultaneously awarded approval on several (8)
different inflatables that will utilize the Halkey-Roberts inflator.
Mustang Survival, Richmond, British Columbia, and manufacturer of "Air
Force" line of inflatables, was also awarded an approval based on
Halkey-Roberts system.
Scott Swanby, president of Sporting Lives and current PFDMA President,
was quoted as saying, "This is a giant step toward full implementation
of inflatable life vests. The life vest industry, USCG, and Underwriters
Labs have worked more than 20 years to develop standards for
inflatables. The approval of these automatic backup devices brings us
another level of comfort able safety for United States recreational
boaters. He went on to say "Life vests work when they are worn.
Inflatables now have an approved place along with the inherently buoyant
devices in helping to save lives."
Received on Wed Oct 6 13:33:24 1999