Maintaining Your PFD
Your personal floatation device (PFD), also known as a buoyancy vest or lifejacket, is arguably the most important item of safety equipment on your boat.
If you are involved in any RSAYS racing events, including twilight races, then you must have your PFD checked or serviced regularly. Boat skippers who race sign a safety declaration stating that this maintenance is being done.
Even if you don’t race, the State Government recommends that inflatable PFDs be regularly serviced by a qualified provider.
For boats that race:
- inflatable PFDs must be checked and serviced as prescribed by the manufacturer;
- non-inflatable PFDs must be checked annually for serviceability.
The good news is that for most popular brands of PFDs, you can do this yourself and the process is reasonably straightforward.
During our annual Sea Safety Day it is not unusual to find an inflatable PFD which fails to work. Don’t leave it to your next emergency to find out if your PFD is okay!