17/07/2024
What a learning experience we had today! Our Viking liferaft certificate was expired and the raft needed to be serviced. We noticed that here is a service facility close by in Smögen so we decided to drop by and leave the raft there for service. And what an amazing service we got! Marcus from Västkustens Flotteservice provided us a dock and came to pick up the raft from our boat. He asked if we would like to see our raft opened and inflated and of course we did, so we rode with him to his facilities. Marcus unpacked the raft, filled it (it fills faster when launched!) and we reviewed actually for the first time all items packed to the raft and how to use them. It was good to see that knife was easily available to cut the painter. Water is packed to small portion bags and there is even a system to collect rain water from the roof! There is also flashlight, messaging mirror, flares, pump, repair kit, vomiting bags, sea anchor and llife line. There is no food so all food needs to be in a seperate grab bag.
Marcus gave us also really good tips for the use of the raft:
1) Rafts painter line (tied to the boat) needs to have "weakest link" (see last pic). "Weakest link" is strong enough to be used when raft is launched out of the boat but in a case the boat sinks and you would accidentally loose your knife, weakest link would break without cutting it by knife and thus not sunk the raft!
2) When you launch the raft, try to launch it on lee side of the boat. When launch it, keep it first close to boat ( 1m distance) by holding the painter line. It is then easiest to be turned to correct position if it is inverted.
3) Self rightening rafts were not recommended by him (like ours is) thus they are really high and have massive wind surface so they "sail like with spinnaker".
We were so happy to have this super knowledgeable and friendly service so 10 points for Västkustens Flotteservice and high recommedations if you need to serve your liferaft in the area! west coast
