Safety recall, service bulletin, product correction bulletin, service advisory: What do these terms mean to you? Some use the force of law to require manufacturers to repair defects. Some are manufacturers’ goodwill offers for free repairs, and others are simply internal notifications that may not be much more than an FYI.

Here’s what the following terms mean to recreational boaters:

Safety Recall and Volunteer Safety Recall

Issued by the U.S. Coast Guard, often with a manufacturer’s cooperation, a safety recall involves a safety problem that relates to a boat or associated equipment that is less than 10 years old. The recall must pertain to a violation of federal safety regulations or “a defect that creates a substantial risk of personal injury to the public.”

An official recall notification can also be issued under a service bulletin heading, but will also be called a safety recall on the document. Regardless, if it says “recall,” it’s part of the Coast Guard program and manufacturers have to fix it at no charge, even if the boat’s defect isn’t discovered until many years after the recall is issued. A manufacturer can also issue a volunteer safety recall on its own, even after the first 10 years. It still has the same weight as any other Coast Guard safety recall.

If a manufacturer goes out of business before the recall can be addressed, you are out of luck. If a new company buys the old business, however, it may be responsible for the repairs or it may repair the defect simply as a goodwill gesture.

Product Correction Bulletin vs Service Advisory vs Service Bulletin

With issues that don’t pose an imminent threat to life and limb but can be dangerous, a manufacturer may issue a product correction bulletin where repairs are generally at no cost to the boat owner. A service advisory is a notice to a boat or engine owner that a Product Improvement Program (PIP) may be available that allows a dealer to be reimbursed by the manufacturer for a number of hours of labor, much like a warranty reimbursement, even if the product is out of warranty. This, too, is generally at no cost to the boat owner.

A common reason manufacturers issue service bulletins is for a product improvement or software updates. The costs of these types of repairs are often borne by the boater, but sometimes manufacturers help dealers so repairs can be done at little or no cost to the owner unless past the official “close date” (even then, some manufacturers have been known to extend close dates as a goodwill measure).

Some service bulletins are directed to boat dealers for the purpose of helping manufacturers troubleshoot a problem that may or may not be covered by warranty. Other such bulletins may be guides for both dealers and boat owners that detail proactive measures to prevent problems. Regardless, if it is a service bulletin, product correction bulletin, or marine service advisory, associated costs such as haulouts or travel aren’t typically covered even if the repair is free. If labor costs exceed the hours the manufacturer is reimbursing the dealer, those costs may also be passed on to the owner.

How to check your boat for recalls

Manufacturers are required to contact the original owners of boats or products to advise of a recall, so new boat owners should always register the warranty. Once a boat is resold, it becomes more challenging for manufacturers to remain in contact with subsequent owners. Regardless of the boat’s age or which owner you are, use the link below to contact the manufacturer and let it know you’re now the owner.

The easiest way to find out if there is or was a recall for your boat, engine, or accessory is to visit the U.S. Coast Guard’s recall website (link below). If your boat is on the list, contact the manufacturer to check its records. It will advise if the repair has been done and, if not, it can direct you to a dealer that can do the repair. Again, some expenses may not be included.

ID’ing a Manufacturer

https://www.uscgboating.org/content/manufacturers-identification.php

Recalls

https://uscgboating.org/content/recalls.php

Info courtesy BoatUS www.boatus.com