Life raft certification

[pbaumann]

On an AVON Coastline 6 person life raft there is marked "AVB 0D 099 K405. What does this mean?
Also, on a tag it says: next service date 5/08: Is it worth the effort to have this life raft serviced in 2018? (Shipping costs alone are USD 160 round trip).
Thanks.

[RodtheRebel]

Originally Posted by pbaumann

On an AVON Coastline 6 person life raft there is marked "AVB 0D 099 K405. What does this mean?
Also, on a tag it says: next service date 5/08: Is it worth the effort to have this life raft serviced in 2018? (Shipping costs alone are USD 160 round trip).
Thanks.

Avon rafts are very good rafts. If you take your raft in for service, it will have to be gas inflated, NAP tested, Working pressure tested, floor seam tested and maybe a couple of other tests, depending on features. I wouldn't be surprised if your Avon raft passed all those tests but you'll pay quite a bit for those tests as well as replacing all the expired items (lights, pyro, first aid kit, etc.). You might be better off buying a new raft for the money you'll spend updating your Avon raft.

Another thing to consider is where you'll be sailing. Is there an authorized Avon station near you?