New Zealand lifejacket manufacturer Hutchwilco, is recalling its ‘Fisher Vest’ lifejacket.
The Hutchwilco Fisher Vest is an inflatable lifejacket designed to be worn by fishermen. An issue has been discovered where the inflatable bladder inside the jacket may not fully inflate when activated.
“The issue we have discovered is that there is a possibility that the bladder inflation may not burst the zip as designed, if it has not been packed correctly,” says Hutchwilco Operations Manager, Bernard Orme.
“While the partial inflation will still afford the wearer some positive buoyancy, it is not as designed and certified.”
“After critical evaluation, we made the decision to carry out a full recall. We have already contacted all the retailers we have sold this product to, and now we need to get the message to the public that have purchased it.”
There have been no known injuries or incidents.
Since being retailed from the start of this summer, 60 units have been sold to consumers. All retailers have been contacted and asked to remove product from shelves and return to Hutchwilco.
This lifejacket is manufactured for Hutchwilco by Performance Floatation Developments (Fiji) Ltd, to Australian Standard AS4758.
Hutchwilco has been in the business of saving lives since 1894 and this is the first lifejacket recall for the company.
If you have purchased a Hutchwilco Fisher Vest, return it to your retailer, or contact Hutchwilco – NZ (+64 9 528 0788).