Spruce Ohlson    wrote on Facebook 11 December 21:04
"Certain makes of life-raft are more easily serviced in some locations rather than others. Some can be serviced but not certified with the manufacturer 's certificate ie Quality establishment but not an approved service centre for a particular brand. We have an Avon life-raft and based upon the hassle of finding an Avon service centre here in Panama we wouldn 't recommend an Avon for long distance cruisers (although we have got it serviced by Panama Marine who issued their own certificate). Other sailboats have also had problems with getting Wilmslow and Plastimo life-rafts serviced here. What is the view of other members on the best brand of life-raft to carry for ease of servicing? Bear in mind that if you are scooting around the world in, say, 3 years (lots of locations to pick from) the issue is different than a boat doing a more leisurely pace."

It 's the same here in the UK.I have used the testing centre here in NE England for many years and they have done RFD, Plastimo and Lifeguard rafts for me in the past but now they will only do one type and my current Lifeguard which was serviced there 3 years ago had to be sent half way across the country at major extra cost.

Peter Aldred (Upshot)