Race to Mackinac - West Marine Tether Recall

by Chicago Yacht Club on 21 Jul 2010 Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac Committee received the following notice and a request that we relay this to all of our competitors and friends. Please note that we are relaying this information as a service to our sailors and to West Marine and have no affiliation with the product being recalled or with West Marine’s decision to recall the product.

It is our understanding that sailors participating in the Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac may exchange the recalled product on-site at CYC during Mac Week at the West Marine tent/trailer, at the West Marine store in Chicago, or at a local West Marine. All inquires should be made to Phil Cowley, Director of Engineering & Quality at the number below or by clicking on the embedded URL. Chicago Yacht Club is not able to answer questions about this issue.

Recall Notice

Dear Race Participant,

On June 29th, 2010, West Marine voluntarily issued a recall on our West Marine branded ISAF tethers, SKU/Model number 9553512 and 9553504 when we became aware that the product release attachment may not function under the heavy loads that an emergency situation could generate. We have had new product manufactured using a stronger release attachment, which has been supplied (SKU/Model# 11878691 and 11878709) to race organizers for exchange before the event.

All previously manufactured West Marine ISAF tethers, which utilize a black release lanyard on the snap shackle are affected in this recall. Please immediately stop using the current generation tethers, and return it for exchange for one of the new products supplied, which utilize a white release lanyard signifying a stronger release mechanism.

ISAF Tether owners West Marine was able to retrieve contact information for received direct notification in the mail of this recall, and posters have been put up in local West Marine stores. Please help us notify all race participants that own and will be using an West Marine ISAF tether (Yellow in color, with blue anodized single or double hooks) to return it in exchange for a brand new ISAF tether which will be available from a West Marine representative before the race.

The official notice is available by clicking http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CustomerServiceView?langId=-1&storeId=11151&catalogId=10001&nav=LeftNav&page=Product-Recalls-Safety-Tethers!here.

The safety of our customers is, and will always remain, our primary concern. Thank you for your attention to this important safety issue.

For further information, please go to: www.westmarine.com