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AS a result of a Maritime Safety Victoria investigation, the Jarvis Walker company has submitted a voluntary product recall notification to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission for faulty block-style lifejackets or personal flotation devices.
MSV tested a single lifejacket batch and model number for a particular design fault. Other lifejackets with the same fault have since been identified.
The recall includes adult lifejackets nationally in the order of 40,000 products sold in single and twin packs. Some of the lifejackets have also been sold in New Zealand.
Affected lifejackets: Adult Block PFD Type 1. Sold under two brands as three separate codes (all have single unit marking of PFD TYPE 1).
- Single unit code 241050 Platinum brand: Sold from Jul 2011 – Dec 2015
- Single unit code 56000 JW Brand: Sold from Jan 2012 – Dec 2015
- Twin pack code 241300 JW Brand: Sold from Aug 2014 – Oct 2017
See: ACCC product recall notice Jarvis Walker Pty Ltd — Adult Personal Flotation Device (PFD) Type 1
This is a common lifejacket type, often provided free of charge to boat buyers within sales deals. MSV is working diligently with the supplier to have the faulty batch removed from retail outlets and to alert the public to avoid buying/relying on the identified lifejacket.
Issue
MSV undertook its own testing of the Jarvis Walker block-style lifejacket model Type1 PFD of batch number WD-15-0588 (Date of manufacture: October 2015).The lifejacket was constructed with a suspected design fault of having the waistband affixed to one side only. In testing, it was found that the unsecured side of the lifejacket slipped free of the waistband when test subjects entered the water.
Subsequent loss of integrity in the lifejacket meant the wearer’s head would likely not be held securely out of the water, posing a serious risk of drowning in the event of a marine incident. The results of the testing found the lifejacket did not conform with the ‘Ability to withstand impact’ and ‘In-water performance’ sections of Australian Standard AS-1512.
It is understood by MSV that there may be other batches of varying dates of manufacture that also have this design fault. Subsequent designs from Jarvis Walker include fixtures of the waistband on both sides of the block-type lifejacket by way of affixed loops.
Recommendation
Watch the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission ACCC product safety website for any product recall advice.
MSV advises all boaters to:
- Check their own Jarvis Walker and other branded block-style lifejackets for a similar design fault, return it to their supplier, and replace it with a design including a waistband secured on each side, either by stitching or through secured loops on each side.
- Check that other branded lifejackets of any style have a waistband that is securely affixed on both sides (for children’s lifejackets, a crotch strap is recommended for extra security).
- Be aware that lifejackets bought online from international suppliers may not meet Australian Standards.
- Ensure lifejackets are stored so that they are visible and therefore accessible by all passengers during an emergency.
- Review lifejacket safety information, visit wearalifejacket.vic.gov.au or contact MSV at info@transportsafety.vic.gov.au or 1800 223 022.
MSV advises retailers to:
- Check Jarvis Walker and other branded stock for a similar design fault and contact your supplier.
MSV advises other suppliers and manufacturers to:
- Review their lifejacket products and designs for a similar fault which may compromise foam block integrity on impact or while in the water.
