Renting? It is definitely worth a thought...
West offshore understands that individual circumstances may make ownership of a life raft the best option, particularly for vessels that are intended to sail internationally for extended periods of time, and will not be in Australian waters at anniversaries for swap out. However we have done the numbers and renting, if viable, is more cost effective.
The regular servicing and testing of life rafts is critical to maintaining the safety of any vessels' crew and passengers. However the hassle of logistics and interruption to activities can be costly, both directly and through lost operations. There is a significant inital purchase outlay and continuing service costs that fluctuate when internal items expire and cylinders need retesting.
In recreational settings rafts are often forgotten amongst busy lives and servicing is frequently overlooked which can create risk a raft may fail when needed.
West Offshore Products sought to create a simple, more cost-effective way for commercial vessel operators and the safety conscious recreational enthusiast to stay compliant and safe. This resulted in the development of the exceptionally efficient and popular 
life raft rental program.
Once in the program we proactively manage your life raft. We make contact a month before the expiry of your life raft and ensure a freshly tested, fully serviced and certified replacement is waiting to be collected or freighted. This enables particularly commercial operators, to plan a swap of the old for new when convenient - expired off, fresh on in one event - easy!
West Offshore can provide you with a clear understanding of the money and time you can save by utilising this program. Contact us today and start reducing your operation and compliance costs.
Benefits
- No Purchase Price, No Buy In - Annual rental with no hidden costs
- Eliminate downtime - Never miss a day on the water
- Save Money - Less cost than ownership - we've done the numbers over 25 years!
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Managed Service - We let you know prior to due dates
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Trade in and save - Trade in your old raft for a lower price
- EPIRBS in every raft - We take care of the registration
- Early Dispatch - To remote locations before expired rafts are returned
- Greater Flexibility - Change capacity, type any time, rent for a season, event or ocean race.
FAQ
How does it work?
The system works much like the BBQ gas bottle exchange system. You simply swap your expiring life raft with a freshly serviced raft, complete with a new certificate and the job is done.
Will this program save me money?
Absolutely! The Swap-n-Go program is the lowest cost method of maintaining compliance and up to date safety. Commerical operators will never miss a day of operation. If you let us know what rafts you require we can provide you with an accurate estimate of the money you'll save.
What sizes can you supply?
4 - 25 person typically, but larger sizes up to 100 person are available upon request. SOLAS, Coastal and open-reversible life rafts are available.
How often do does the raft need to be swapped out? Our Coastal rafts size 4 to 12 man have a service interval of 3 years meaning, they can be aboard for 3 years before needing to be swapped. Lease and billing arrangements can be annually or further discounted rates apply for the 3 years upfront. Larger sizes and SOLAS rafts must be swapped annually.
Who owns the life raft?
West Offshore Products owns the life raft and provides it fully serviced on a rental basis.
What happens if I sell my vessel?
In the event of a vessel sale there are three options. (1) Return the rafts to us. (2) The new owner can continue with the rental. (3) The raft may be purchased outright in situ at highly discounted rates.
Who are West Offshore Products?
West Offshore is an ISO 9001:2015 quality assured company that is extensively experienced in the life raft and marine safety industry. We have been selling and servicing life rafts here in Australia for over 25 years.
How do I know when my life raft expires?
We provide you with a certificate of inspection for your surveyor and compliance needs, on which is the validity dates of the life raft. The life raft is also stickered up with expiry dates and other relevant information for easy visual inspection. We will also contact you a month before it expires to let you know and arrange an exchange.
What happens if the raft is damage or stolen?
You are responsible for any damage or loss. Typically this is covered by your insurance policy. You may wish to confirm this with your insurer.
Do the life rafts come with mounting accessories?
Every vessel is different and comes with it's own unique requirements. Our raft containers are of a typical size and fit in many existing installations. If necessary, we offer any of the mounting accessories you may need at competitive prices.
Who registers the EPIRB (Beacon)?
We own and therefore register the EPIRB with the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA). We keep track of what EPIRBs are in what raft and on which vessel. When you sign up we'll ask you to complete a couple of forms about the vessel's details and your emergency contacts. This is all provided to AMSA and the information is kept up to date so there won't be any delays in the event of an emergency.