THE GIFT OF LIFE
Given the spate of boating incidents recently, sadly some fatal, never underestimate the value of spending some dollars on a Xmas present for someone close to you, that might just save their life. Now I might be a bit biased and sure, I also have a business interest in assisting here, but the only service and safety products I supply are of the highest quality, that I also use myself.
But just for a moment, let me paint the opposite scenario. Everyone likes to save a dollar and no issue with comparing two identical products to obtain the cheaper price, but surely local customer service counts for something. One thing internet or online buying can’t deliver is a decent conversation with the seller to find out about the little things that count with the product. I couldn’t help but smile when a guy phoned me to request detailed information on how to use a marine radio that he had purchased recently. This was a brand that I neither recommend or sell and I politely informed him that there were indeed issues with that product and that he should discuss it with the seller. But when he told me he bought it second hand on gumtree, I had to comment that if this was the value he placed on a product that could potentially save his life, than unfortunately I was unable to assist. Bit like seeing the brand new boat, complete with Shimano and Daiwa top of the wozza fishing gear, radar, 1kw transducer, 12 inch colour sounder and there stuffed up the front, out of the way cause they take up space, are the $20 yellow bulky lifejackets that I wouldn’t wear in a fit.
I have brought in a new topic in my skipper’s courses lately and it is about being the 1 in 100 skipper. That is, the skipper who wears the kill switch cord, ensures everyone wears an inflatable life jacket, logs on with ACRM Base ( VHF 80 ), stores the GPS enabled EPIRB, flares, waterproof floating radio in an accessible container in the event of a capsize, plenty of anchor rope and turns the bilge pump on BEFORE leaving the jetty to ensure it works and that the bungs are in. The 1 in 100 skipper will likely come home every time he or she goes boating, whereas the other 99 have a higher risk of not returning home, sadly as recently occurred to four members of the same family near Rottnest Island.
So what better Xmas present for the boating dad/mum/kids or friend, than a gift voucher that could be for a skipper’s ticket course, handheld marine radio, life jacket, GPS EPIRB, offshore flare kit or safety storage barrel. Yep, you guessed it, I supply all of this and for locals I deliver in person wherever possible. When delivering a new EPIRB to John and Kay Purdue last week, it was great to have a chat about the old days and when John advised me that he was now 87 yrs old I immediately retorted that he wouldn’t need a new EPIRB until he was 97, because it has a 10 yr battery life. He reckons he won’t be needing another one, but you just never know!