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Manufacturer Recalls
& Service Announcements

Occasionally, a manufacturer may have a product recall to notify the public of
and/or address an issue with the product via a service announcement.

You will find the latest recalls and service announcements listed here for any of the products we carry, including the notice along with contact information.


Possible Radar Communication Loss when a Garmin GMR 18 HD Radar or a GMR 24 HD Radar Are Connected to a Garmin GPSMAP 700 Series Chartplotter

This issue applies to the GMR 18 HD and GMR 24 HD radars with a serial number in the range 1DH000000 through 1DH0100365 (GMR 18 HD) or 1DJ000000 through 1DJ002356 (GMR 24 HD) when the radars are connected to the following products only:

  • GPSMAP 720
  • GPSMAP 720s
  • GPSMAP 740
  • GPSMAP 740s
  • GPSMAP 750
  • GPSMAP 750s

DESCRIPTION
There is a high probability of communication errors between the radar and the chartplotter when a GMR 18 HD radar or a GMR 24 HD radar is connected to a GPSMAP 700 series chartplotter. The system may operate normally for a period of time until a communication error occurs and “Radar Service Lost” is displayed on the GPSMAP 700 series chartplotter. The chartplotter continues to operate normally except that it cannot display radar data from the GMR 18 HD or GMR 24 HD.
A hardware upgrade to the radar is necessary to resolve this issue.

RESOLUTION
If you have a GMR 18HD or GMR 24HD with a serial number in the following range (and you are or will be using the radar with a GPSMAP 700 series chartplotter:
• 1DH000000 through 1DH0100365 (GMR 18 HD)
• 1DJ000000 through 1DJ002356 (GMR 24 HD)
contact Garmin USA by phone at (913)397.8200 or (800)800.1020.
In Europe, go to www.garmin.com/support and click Contact Support for the appropriate phone number for your country.

COMPLIANCE
Mandatory only if the GMR 18 HD or GMR 24 HD is being used will be used with a GPSMAP 700 series chartplotter. Otherwise, compliance is optional.

PDF file of original Service Advisory


Posted 4/13/10

United States Coast Guard Marine Safety Alert

DANGERS ASSOCIATED WITH AUTOMATIC CHANNEL SWITCHING
ON DIGITAL SELECTIVE CALLING (DSC) EQUIPPED VHF MARINE RADIOS

It has come to the Coast Guard’s attention that an automatic channel switching feature found on certain models of Digital Selective Calling (DSC) equipped VHF marine radios may create an unintended hazard by automatically switching from a working channel that might be in use at the time to Channel 16 when the VHF marine radio receives a DSC distress alert, distress alert acknowledgment or other DSC call where a VHF channel number has been designated. This could happen without a vessel/radio operator’s immediate knowledge and could initiate an unsafe condition by which the vessel/radio operators would believe they were communicating on a working channel such as Channel 13 when, in fact, they were actually on Channel 16. Imagine a towboat operator on the lower Mississippi River making passing agreements on VHF channel 67 and then suddenly, without warning, not being able to quickly reestablish communications with those vessels because his/her radio automatically switched to Channel 16 instead.

Since this unsafe condition can happen at any time, the Coast Guard strongly recommends disabling the automatic channel switching feature when maintaining a listening watch or communicating on the designated bridge-to-bridge radiotelephone, or while monitoring the vessel traffic services (VTS) channel. Radios that lack the disabling feature should not be used for bridge-to-bridge or VTS communications.

The International Telecommunications Union Sector for Radiocommunications, Recommendation M.493-11 published in 2004 and later versions require DSC-equipped radios to provide for disabling of this channel auto-switch feature. In the United States, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) requires all DSC-equipped radios certified after March 25, 2009 to meet this requirement. Manufacturers that do not provide a disable function are encouraged to do so and to inform their customers if means for correction exist. Updated information including a listing of manufacturers of radios believed to be affected by this Safety Alert will be posted as available at http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/marcomms/gmdss/dsc.htm .

The Coast Guard strongly reminds radio operators and other users to always ensure they are on the proper operating channel when communicating or maintaining watch, particularly with DSCequipped radios capable of channel auto-switching.

This safety alert is provided for informational purposes only and does not relieve any domestic or international safety, operational or material requirement. Developed by the Spectrum Management and Telecommunications Policy Division (CG-652), United States Coast Guard Headquarters, Washington, DC. Questions should be directed to Mr. Russell Levin at (202) 475 3555 or Russell.S.Levin@uscg.mil.

PDF Link to:
Original Announcement Release  (56.3 KB)
Updated information Regarding the U.S. Coast Guard Marine Safety Alert  (22.7KB)


Posted 12/15/09

Spot LLC is dedicated to providing the highest quality and best performance products to our customers, therefore, Spot LLC will be conducting a voluntary return on any new model SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger™ (SPOT 2) purchased since October 1, 2009. During recent testing, we discovered that some of the new SPOT 2 devices might not meet battery and messaging operating specifications.

Affected Units

To see if your SPOT-2 unit is affected by this issue, please do the following:

  • If you have activated your SPOT-2 unit, login to your account at https://login.findmespot.com, click on the My GPS Locations tab and a message will display indicating if you have an affected SPOT-2 unit.
  • If you have not activated your SPOT-2 unit, do not activate. We highly recommend you return your product for replacement at your earliest convenience

The Exchange Process

  • Replacement units are anticipated to be available in early 2010. More details to follow.
  • If you exchange your eligible unit, you will also receive 1 additional month of your current SPOT service plan and associated services.
  • Once exchanged, you will receive a new SPOT-2 unit.
  • Please follow this process to receive your return shipping materials. These will be sent you upon completion of the form.
  • Ship only your SPOT-2 unit and take out batteries prior to shipping.
Important notes

This does not affect SPOT Satellite Personal Tracker (SPOT-1) nor is it an upgrade program to transition from SPOT Satellite Personal Tracker (SPOT-1) to the SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger (SPOT-2).

For further information, visit the Spot LLC website: http://www.findmespot.com/exchange/


Posted 11/05/09

AFFECTED PRODUCTS:
All Garmin GPSMAP 400, 500, 600, 4000, and 5000 series chartplotters

ISSUE:
When calculating Auto Guidance with a Garmin Bluechart g2 Vision data card, the affected Garmin chartplotters may indicate a path that crosses charted obstacles.

DESCRIPTION:
The Auto Guidance feature of the Bluechart g2 Vision data card utilizes user-specified safe depth, safe height, and chart data to determine a course to a destination. The Auto Guidance feature does not ensure absolute protection regarding obstacles or bottom clearance. In some cases, Auto Guidance routes may not avoid charted obstacles, such as buoys, shallow water, or other obstructions.

As referenced in the owner’s manuals for affected chartplotters, the ship’s pilot must check route details, regardless of origin, to ensure it is appropriate and safe for the intended operation.

Software updates will be provided on the Garmin Web site for affected chartplotters. These updates will provide an alarm message if an Auto Guidance route passes too closely to charted obstacles and will highlight those obstacles on the chart for review and consideration by the user.


Posted 7/17/09

Raymarine has identified a problem with SPX5 Sport Drive Autopilot Drive Unit (sold between February and July 2009). As a result the mechanical clutch assembly may fail, causing the steering of the vessel to lock in one direction, with a possible risk to the safety of the vessel and crew.

Because of the potentially serious nature of the Sport Drive problem and the potential to render the vessels steering system inoperable, Raymarine is voluntarily recalling all Distributor, Dealer and Retail stock.  We are also voluntarily  recalling all Sport Drive units that are with the end user and installed on vessels. (Please refer to the Raymarine Voluntary Safety Recall Notice.)

Customers must stop using the products immediately and arrange de-installation and return to the retailer/dealer from whom it was purchased. The retailer/dealer will arrange for a replacement or, if preferred, a refund.

Any customers who have any questions regarding these products should contact Raymarine Product Support at (603) 881-5200 or go to Raymarine's website:  http://www.raymarine.com/


Posted 6/04/09
2009 versions of BlueChart g2 in Garmin card format, BlueChart g2 in microSD/SD card format and BlueChart g2 Vision in microSD™/SD™ card format.
If you purchased any BlueChart g2 or BlueChart g2 Vision cards since April 8, 2009, please read this Recall
Notice to see if your product is affected.

DESCRIPTION OF SAFETY ISSUE
In certain waters, there are inaccuracies and/or omissions in the way that this specific version of charting presents depth contours and depth areas, resulting in the depiction of water depth as deeper than the actual depth under certain display conditions.  This
may lead to boats going aground which, in certain circumstances, could lead to risk of personal injury.

IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUIRED
1. Do not use the affected cards for navigation.
2. Return affected products to Garmin for replacement.


OBTAINING REPLACEMENT CARDS
Any customer who owns a BlueChart g2 or BlueChart g2 Vision v2009 card will receive a free replacement BlueChart or BlueChart g2 Vision card v2008.5 (dated July 2008)  When the latest version of BlueChart g2 and BlueChart g2 Vision are corrected, Garmin
will make them available free of charge to affected customers.  Please contact your retailer or contact Garmin directly at
1-800-800-1020, www.garmin.com/support, or by e-mail at cartography@garmin.com.



Posted December 5, 2008
Limited Recall Notice ACR GlobalFix™ iPRO™ EPIRB

The full Safety Alert and Recall from ACR Electronics reads:
ACR has discovered that a small percentage of GlobalFix™ iPRO™ EPIRBs may not activate manually and has decided to issue a limited recall notice.  The condition could exist in a maximum of 400 units built within serial number range of 1000 to 1688.  If you own or have a GlobalFix™ iPRO™ that falls within this serial number range you should contact ACR's Customer Service department immediately at +1-854-862-2110 or at NBuckle@ACRelectronics.com.

ACR discovered that some of the witness seal tabs require the application of excessive force to put the switch into the correct position when manually activating the EPIRB.  The water activation feature works separately and is not affected by the manual switch. The manual switch assembly needs to be reworked on a maximum of 400 units to insure that the switch and witness seal will activate as designed and intended.  The 400 units potentially affected by this problem fall into the serial number range of 1000 -1688.  If your GlobalFix™ iPRO™ serial number falls outside this range, then your GlobalFix™ iPRO™ is not affected by this notice.  The 400 units could be of either the PIN 2846 Category I (automatic deploy) or PIN 2848 Category II (manual deploy) model.

This condition does not occur in any other ACR EPIRB model.  This recall is limited to only the GlobalFix™ iPRO™ units falling within the serial number range of 1000 to 1688.

For more information or to obtain a Return Authorization contact:
ACR Customer Service
Telephone: +1-854-862-2110 (in the USA: 1-800-432-0227, ext. 2110)
E-Mail: NBuckle@ACRelectronics.com


Posted June 18, 2008
Switlik Life Raft Safety Alert and Recall Inspection Notice

The full Safety Alert and Recall from Switlik reads:

IF YOU ARE THE OWNER OF A MARINE LIFE RAFT MANUFACTURED BY
SWITLIK PARACHUTE COMPANY,
IT MAY HAVE A POTENTIAL PROBLEM WITH THE INFLATION SYSTEM.

THIS IS NOT OBVIOUS AND COULD CAUSE FALSE RELIANCE ON A LIFE RAFT
THAT, IF NEEDED, MAY NOT INFLATE AND FUNCTION AS A LIFE SAVING DEVICE.

We have had reports recently from two Life Raft Service Stations of Switlik Life Raft inflation valves failing to operate properly and discharge the gas from the CO2 cylinder into the life raft. These malfunctions occurred during performance of annual service and standard 5-year operational and inflation testing.

Inspection of these valves indicated clear signs of changes in the consistency of the lubricant and a degradation of the piston O-ring material. This resulted in the O-rings adhering to the pistons and valve bodies, causing the inflation valves to malfunction.

We are implementing a corrective action that mandates replacement of the inflation valve with a valve that does not utilize this O-ring material and lubricant combination. While the instances and percentages of improper inflation system operation are relatively small, this issue directly affects whether or not a life raft will properly inflate in case of an emergency. We feel that this valve replacement should occur at your earliest practical opportunity.

To facilitate the inflation valve Service Bulletin in the safest and most expeditious manner for you, we will be replacing, at no charge to you, the existing S-2630 inflation valve/s on your life raft. (You are responsible for complying with any normal recommended service procedures and transportation of the Life Raft to and from the service facility.)

YOUR SAFETY is of the utmost importance to us! Please contact Switlik Parachute Company at (609) 587-3300 or click here for a listing of our Service Stations to schedule the servicing of your life raft and replacement of the inflation valve. We regret this occurrence and the inconvenience it causes you. Although the probability that your life raft will not work as designed is small, we are addressing this issue by erring on the side of safety.

We thank you for your patience while we work to make your time on the water safer.

SWITLIK PARACHUTE COMPANY
1325 East State Street, Trenton, N.J. 08609
Phone: (609)-587-3300     Fax: (609)-586-6647

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