Authorities are urging New Zealanders to inspect their lifejackets this summer after a fault was found in the inflator mechanism of certain models.

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) and Maritime New Zealand have issued a warning regarding a potential defect in the Halkey-Roberts inflator mechanism, which is installed in specific Hutchwilco lifejacket models.

The affected models include the Hutchwilco Classic 170N Manual Inflatable Lifejacket and the Hutchwilco Super Comfort 170N Manual Inflatable Lifejacket, manufactured between June 2021 and May 2022.

The fault may cause the lifejackets to fail to inflate, creating a significant safety risk.

MBIE spokesperson Ian Caplin emphasized the importance of checking lifejackets to prevent accidents.

“Our Product Safety team know the summer period means plenty of New Zealanders are out on the water or heading to the beach. We want to make sure this fault doesn’t cause any preventable accidents,” Caplin said.

With over 21,000 affected lifejackets in circulation across New Zealand, MBIE has published recall notices on the Product Safety website. The recall is voluntary, but authorities stress the importance of addressing the issue.

“It only takes a couple minutes to check your lifejacket. This voluntary recall is a precautionary step to make sure we can keep New Zealanders as safe as possible this summer,” Caplin added.

Maritime New Zealand also reminds the public that lifejackets, like all safety equipment, have a limited lifespan and can deteriorate over time. Maritime spokesperson Matt Wood advises lifejacket owners to inspect their gear for any visible damage, such as tears, cuts, or punctures, as well as to ensure that webbing, clips, and zips are in good working order.

“Everyone needs to ensure their lifejackets will work if needed. Some simple tests include checking for any visible damage, looking for tears, cuts, or punctures. It’s also important to check that the webbing, clips, and zips are all in good working order,” Wood said.

Hutchwilco is asking owners of the affected lifejackets to complete a recall form on their website and return the faulty products. The company offers two options: replacing the inflator mechanism or providing a full refund from the manufacturer.

As summer continues, authorities are urging all New Zealanders to take a few moments to check their safety gear before heading out onto the water to prevent potential tragedies.