Life Raft Service

We are a USCG approved life raft service center. We service commercial and leisure life rafts. Give us a call if your raft is out of date. You want to be prepared, especially in these colder temperatures.

Life Raft Servicing is Important

In this post I discussed why you should service your life raft, Today I would like to touch on the subject of servicing again. Servicing the life raft is the life of the raft, we see several life rafts come in that have not been serviced in several years and many times this results in putting a really good life raft out of commission or a really high servicing bill.

Some things to keep in mind about serving is that when you bring a life raft to a service station a technician will open the life raft and inspect it for malfunctions, air tests will be performed and all parts of the life raft and equipment are inspected and replaced if they are deemed out of date or non-functioning. If your life raft cannot be certified as safe and usable it will be decommissioned.

Keep in mind there are items in a life raft they can cause problems, recently we opened a life raft that had corroded batteries in the flash light. The battery acid had eaten through the flash light and gotten all over much of the equipment. Imagine finding this out on the ocean instead of at the shop. This particular life raft was 7 years overdue for servicing.

Life rafts are as important to a boat as the brakes on a car and like the brakes they need to be serviced. For more information on life raft servicing or to visit our store and see an open life raft contact us. We are proud to support Maritime Safety and Education through community outreach; we take pride in not just selling and servicing a product but educating customers on how to use a product.

Small Craft Safety Equipment

Every boat needs safety equipment... From the smallest aluminum boat to the biggest commercial tankers you need the right safety gear. The size of the vessel and the waterways you use can be a factor in choosing the minimum safety gear.
On a small craft the number one essential piece of equipment is a life vest for every single person on board! This is a no exception to the rule piece of safety gear no matter the size of the vessel but in small craft it is often the only safety gear. Make sure they are working properly and all of the straps are in good shape.
To supplement your life vest you can add a strobe to the vest that will go off should you fall over board and end up in the water. You may also consider a PLB (Personal Locator Beacon) not to be confused with a messenger device like SPOT which also has a place and a purpose. My advice with SPOT is be sure you pay your subscription fees and double check your batteries.
If you have a small craft over 20 feet you may want to consider a small life raft such as a Revere Coastal Compact, it is light weight and only a single buoyancy tube but will get you out of the water if you capsize. You may accompany the life raft with a small ditch bag.
Pick a safety package based on where you will be in your small craft. Consider the possibility that your boat could capsize, consider the possibility they there may not be anyone else around if you go off course, and remember to consider the fact that cell phone batteries die and most all cell phones are not water proof.
I feel compelled to talk about small craft safety today based on a couple of recent stories in Texas.
Safety gear is no guarantee that you will come out of the situation alive and well but, you have to arm yourself with the best possible equipment to have the best chance at survival.

Coast Guard Rescues 2 After Boat Capsizes in San Antonio Bay Near Port Lavaca

And this story
Coast Guard Suspends Search for Missing Fisherman in Galveston Bay

Here is my small craft Safety Equipment Package Idea

This package includes:

*Revere Coastal Compact 4 Life Raft with Canopy

*Revere Survivor Ditch Bag

*4 Revere Comfort Man Inflatable PFDs Auto Activation

*1 USCG/SOLAS Hand Flare

*2 USCG/SOLAS Parachute Flares

* Revere Day Pak Plus First Aid Kit

* Revere Hear Me Whistle

* Revere See Me Strobe

* McMurdo Fastfind 210 PLB

Remember we can customize a package for you!

Coming Soon Achilles Folding Transom RIB

Triad Marine is proud to offer you the first look at the Achilles HB300FX folding transom RIB (rigid inflatable boat).
We will have this boat on display at 55th Annual Houston Boat Show happening January 7-17, 2011.

This folding transom RIB is made of hypalon material, has a fiberglass transom, wooden seat, 2 seat attachment points, oars, foot pump, repair kit and a storage bag with 3 handles for easy lifting. The boat also features towing d-rings, a bow lift eye and a stainless steel motor mount. Achilles is offering you the same great quality as the other HB series RIBs but in a portable package. This boat will be perfect for sail boats, RVs, cars, trucks and SUVs.

At 9'10" in length the boat will offer plenty of room for four people. At this time we do not have the final specifications with a horse power rating, weight and beam but we will keep you updated.

Stop by The Houston Boat Show and see us in Booth 7030 to see this brand new Achilles Model as well as many other great inflatable boats, life rafts and lots of marine safety gear!

Colder Weather Means More Boating Risks

As the cooler temperatures make their way south to the Houston area we find increased risks with boating...Should you fall over board and remain in the water very long you are at increased risk for hypothermia. Hypothermia is actually defined as any time the core body temperature falls below 95* F. Taking extra precautions in cooler temperatures is the key to avoiding a tragic outcome.  On Friday December 2, 2010 we had a shrimp boat capsize in our waters and 3 of the 4 men were rescued clinging to debris, sadly they have to be treated for hypothermia which leaves a grim reality that the 4th person in the water probably has hypothermia as well leaving them at greater risk of drowning. He has still not been located and the Coast Guard suspended it's search for him. You can read the full story here.

Make sure there is a working PFD for each person aboard and make sure they are wearing it. By having the life vest on you give yourself an advantage should you fall over board. Once you fall into the cold water if you begin to lose dexterity and function you will not be able to swim to keep your head above water a PFD is designed to help you stay afloat. Wearing it is the only way to be sure it will work.

With that being said there are some things that can make your journeys on the water safer and help protect you against hypothermia. The first thing you need is a life raft this will help get you our of the water if your boat were to capsize or sink. even if you go into the water and become wet and cold you can increase your chances by having a way to get out of the water. Pack some extra isothermal blankets in your ditch bag and use them to attempt to stay warm once you are in the life raft. Purchase an EPIRB or PLB or both and keep the PLB with you. The sooner they can find you the better chance you have of recovering fully from hypothermia.

If you plan on making overnight trips in cold weather you may want to consider an immersion suit for each crew member. The immersion suits are designed to help you stay warm, they will make a big difference in how quickly your body begins to go through the stages of hypothermia.

As always file a float plan, check dates on safety gear, check all components of the boat, and be prepared for the worst conditions and you will always have a more enjoyable boating experience.
There are a lot of ditch bag items that can help one survive and if you need help choosing these items we will be happy to sit down and help you. We can also provide you with more information on PFDs, PLBs, EPIRBs, and Life Rafts.

Survival Times in Cold Water Without Protective Clothing

Water Temperature		Loss of Dexterity	Exhaustion or	Expected Time of
Degrees C	Degrees F	with no protective clothing	Unconsciousness	Survival
0.3	32.5	Under 2 min.	Under 15 min.	Under 15 to 45 min.
0.3 to 4.5	32.5 - 40	Under 3 min.	15 to 30 min.	30 to 90 min.
4.5 to 10	40 - 50	Under 5 min.	30 to 60 min.	1 to 3 hrs.
10 to 15.5	50 - 60	10 to 15 min.	1 to 2 hrs.	1 to 6 hrs.
15.5 to 21	60 - 70	30 to 40 min.	2 to 7 hrs.	2 to 40 hrs.
21 to 26.5	70 - 80	1 to 2 hrs.	2 to 12 hrs.	3 hrs. to indefinite
Over 26.5	Over 80	2 to 12 hrs.	Indefinite	Indefinite

The above table is simply a reference, remember each person's body reacts differently and one may become colder more quickly if they suffer from certain illnesses or if they take blood thinning medications.

Why Service Your Life Raft

Life rafts come in a variety of brands, sizes, person capacities, and have a variety of equipment package options. Every life raft is inflated the same way via CO2 cylinder but that is pretty much the only thing that is exactly the same. Life rafts are meant to be opened and serviced, some manufactures say every year and some manufactures have vacuum bag sealed life rafts that are every three years.

What happens when a life raft is serviced?
The life raft is open and the dates of all the internal equipment are determined so the service technician will know what needs to be replaced. The date of the last CO2 cylinder refill is determined and if it has been five years then the life raft is gas inflated, tested and the cylinder gets refilled.  The technician will also air and pressure test the life raft for defects and leaks.
All of these processes help ensure your life raft has a longer life and the best chance of working the way it is supposed to when you need it.

What are some things I can expect at each service?
If you have a life raft with one year service intervals the first 2 services will be pretty basic and include replacing of repair cement (glue) and batteries for the flash light as well as the set of spares.
There will be a charge for the service currently ours is $400.00 but they vary by station. You may also have charges for manufactures certificates, gaskets, seals, bursting straps called commonly bands (only on container style life rafts).
Three year service interval life rafts and the third service on a one year life raft will incur charges for all of the one year items in addition to replacing all of the flares in the raft. Also a three year service interval life raft will be in a vacuum bag that must be replaced at this service, the bags typically cost around $150.00 and up but vary with manufacture and the size of the life raft.

What happens if I skip a service or two?
Typically the rafts will be fine if they have been stowed properly and not submersed in water, however sometimes natural conditions and water can make the life of a life raft shorted especially when it has not been opened and allowed to breathe, dry and be cleaned if needed.
Also not servicing a raft at the manufactures intervals will void the manufactures warranty of the life raft.
The worst thing we see in waiting to service is the cost becomes high because you have so many things to replace at one time. You will incur however many years of charges on one bill and this often makes customers feel like it is not worth it for a service, even if the raft is in very good condition.
Like anything you purchase there are care instructions and not following them can result in costly repairs and frustrations. Why would you risk your life saving equipment failing when you need it.
Should you have questions or concerns about your life raft and servicing the life raft please contact us.
To avoid extra high services bills, maintain the warranty of the life raft and ensure the equipment is working properly servicing is key!

I have a (Insert Unsinkable Boat Name Here) so I don't need one of "Those"

In the title it says I have a (unsinkable boat) you can choose your favorite brand name as my point is not to bash the boats but the mentality that comes with the word unsinkable. Also in the title I don't need one of "those" you can make this a few items EPIRB, PLB, Ditch Bag, or a Life Raft.


"In 2008 the #1 cause of deaths - 278 of them -- in boating accidents was because of capsizing, flooding or swamping.

Last month the U.S. Coast Guard awarded a two-year grant to the American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC) and Davis & Company (boat surveyors) to investigate capsizing and swamping occurrences in recreational boating. The last time the USCG investigated this category of accident in a special study was in the 1970s. In 2008 there were 856 reported accidents involved with capsizing, swamping or flooding, and 535 (62.5%) of these involved "cabin motorboats" or "open motorboats."


To me 62.5% is a big number of cabin and open motor boats, that is more than half. So these unsinkable boats do you think they capsize ...Of course when you are doing things wrong like this little story below or mother nature decides the weather will change and the seas will be rough.


"Katherine Martin was operating a 17-foot Boston Whaler when she crashed with an 18-foot Larson Bow Rider operated by Eric Meyer at 12:15 a.m., police said. The Boston Whaler (unsinkable boat) capsized and sent all five people on board into the water. "
See the full story HERE


Beyond capsizing there are chances of motor and electronics failure so every boat no matter the sinkable factor needs to be properly equipped for every trip you make on the water.


Should your unsinkable boat capsize would you be able to hold on the the hull of the boat in rough seas and manage to hold on to your kids, wife, family, or friends. If you are in an area where no one may see you for 17 hours like THIS POST how will you fair. Do you have an accessible life vest for everyone on board or better yet are they wearing them.  A PLB could have changed their story and reduced time in the water how could it change yours.
Remember This Story From Last Summer a PLB or EPIRB could have re-written this as well.
Safe boating is the most important part of boating, in the event your unsinkable boat leaves you stranded or capsizes wouldn't you like to just say that it did not matter because I had my back up plan in place.


No one at this point can make recreational boaters have life rafts, EPIRBs and PLBs as these are not regulated under laws like the commercial vessels, so it is up to each boater to put forth personal responsibility in the matter.  Not every boat needs to be decked out with every piece of safety gear available but at least choose safety gear based on where you boat and the number of people you are going to be responsible for while on the water.
Everyone from the Kayaker to the ocean cruiser can benefit from safety gear, starting with a small and simple PLB and going all out with an EPIRB, Life Raft, PLB, Ditch Bag, VHF radio, Sat Phone and many other items you may want when doing an ocean sail or cruise.


Remember unsinkable means nothing to mother nature, unsinkable doesn't mean the battery won't go down, the engine and electronics won't fail or that your boat won't capsize.
Something as simple as spending less than $400 on a PLB can re-write your story!

As Small as most Mobile phones sells for $279.00

Buy it Here

use Coupon Code BLOG at check out to save $25.00

This Larger PLB unit is full of features and will come with a belt clip, lanyard and floats!

Also now with yearly subscription you can get the "I'm OK" service to learn more visit 406 Link 

$395.00

Buy it Here

Use Coupon code BLOG at check out to save $25.00

Don't go on any outdoor adventure without the peace of mind a PLB can bring.

Life Raft Debate

The life raft debate is an annual event held at University of Montevallo, to make a long story short here is the gist of it…. Imagine there is a nuclear disaster and several survivors are setting out to repopulate society, each professor argues for their discipline for the last place in the life raft and why the world needs them.


Now to my business I sell life rafts and as I listened to this debate on NPR driving recently I could not help but think about the “real” debate on life rafts. There are so many in this business like myself who see this as a debate we should not have, if you have a boat that will be used more than 5-10 miles from shore you need a life raft. To accompany this life raft you need an EPIRB or PLB, by having the right equipment if disaster strikes you can help ensure your rescue as well as saving millions of dollars used to search for you. Of course these things don't guarantee survival but they certain stack the odds in your favor.

I would like to step back to last summer when 3 men set out for a simple fishing trip that turned out to be a disaster for them. The boat is one that most people considerer seemingly unsinkable, well it did not sink but due to a bilge pump failure it took on water and capsized. These 3 men survived 8 days on the bottom of the catamaran with a blue bottom. Search and Rescue crews looked diligently for 7 of those days and then called off the search. They were so close but yet so far away because of the color of the boat it was impossible to see them in the water. They were happened upon by a leisure fisherman and rescued on day eight. Each man was lucky to be alive.

I am reminded daily of the dangers on the water, Mother Nature can show her worst side at any moment and the only way to help yourself is through preparedness.

My life raft debate today is simply one sided go back to this post and you can compare a life raft and a dinghy. Again it is a one sided debate there is really nothing to argue about. Each piece of equipment has a purpose and a place on your boat.

Imagine if the 3 fishermen mentioned above would have had a life raft and a PLB ….

Imagine how different an outcome it would have been for the students aboard the S/V Concordia if they had not had life rafts…..

Imagine what it could have been like for the 4 men (2 of which were NFL Players) who went down in Florida last spring…. The 3 deaths were due to hypothermia a life raft, EPIRB or PLB could have brought them all home.

As we approach spring and summer many of our locals with hit the water and it is my hope that each one of them has been impacted in some way that makes them choose safety first.

I will end with this imagine watching your friends or family suffer hypothermia and perishing in the water because you chose not to arm yourself with any safety defenses.

Reminders for Spring

This should cover most of your list come and see us or call today!

Now until April 15th save $20 on any installed Bimini top

 Save $10 on any boat cover

Save $10 off of the ACR Aqualink PLB

 Get professionally installed Boat Number Plates for any inflatable for $140.00!!!

Under Seat Storage bag with Cushion $40.00

Visit our website Triad Marine 

Houston Boat Show 2010 Our Booth

Once again we participated in the Houston Boat Show at our booth we displayed Inflatable boats from Zodiac and Achilles as well as EPIRBs and PLBs from ACR and McMurdo