Sent: Wednesday, September 06, 2000 9:12 PM
Subject: U.S. COAST GUARD SAFETY ALERT

We have received reports that Inflex Corporation/Mr. Michael Bouressa of

Warwick, RI has improperly performed certain annual life raft inspections

for rafts received from uninspected (recreational) vessels. These improper

inspections have the potential of putting individuals in life-threatening

ituations.

In one incident, a Long Island sailor recently had both his inflatable life

rafts serviced at Inflex. Feeling uncomfortable about the service and other

aspects of his business transaction, he took his rafts to another authorized

facility. This station discovered that one of his rafts had been removed

from its container and replaced with an old sail and other various items.

Another case, reported by Viking Life Saving Equipment in Miami, FL involved

one Avon life raft packed inside of a Viking container.

Your assistance is requested in giving this Safety Alert widest

dissemination throughout the recreational boating community. For those

inflatable life rafts whose last annual inspection was performed by Inflex

Corporation or Mr. Michael Bouressa of Warwick, RI, the manufacturer of

that particular liferaft should be contacted immediately. The liferaft

manufacturer will be able to supply any additional information along with

the address of the nearest recommended manufacturer's authorized servicing

facility to have the raft re-inspected:

AVON LIFERAFTS/ZODIAC OF NORTH AMERICA PH

410-643-4141

VIKING LIFE SAVING EQUIPMENT PH

305-374-5115

WINSLOW LIFERAFT COMPANY PH 941-613-6666

For additional information on all other raft manufacturers, please contact

the United States Marine Safety Association at (719) 622-1160 or

usmsa@usmsa.org or contact the manufacturer directly.