Survival hatches: Reminder from the main multihull manufacturers
The 4 most important French and European catamaran builders, Lagoon, Fountaine-Pajot, Bali and Nautitech have issued a terse press release informing about the recall of Goiot brand escape hatches on their boats and inviting owners to contact the shipyards. BoatIndustry has contacted the French manufacturer of fittings to find out more about this incident affecting an essential safety element on board multihulls, the measures put in place and the consequences for the company.
Adhesion defects on 2 models of escape hatches
" The recall campaign concerns two models of escape hatches from our range: the T44 fixed hatches with an aluminum frame and tempered glass and the Cristal 4942 opening hatches with a PMMA glass and an aluminum frame. Difficulties of adhesion that could lead to the loss of the glass have been noted. There is no risk with other fixed SurvivAL or Cristal round and sheet metal models. Affected products are those produced between August 2014 and December 2018 for the T44 and August 2014 and July 2018 for the Cristal "says Jacques Leblais, CEO of Goiot Systems.
Technical solutions for the new escape hatches
The first instances of isolated problems on Goiot escape hatches were identified in early 2018. After more were found, the manufacturer modified its products by adding an additional mechanical fastener, supplementing the bonding. " There was a quality issue with the bonding joint from our supplier TREMCO. Laboratory testing is ongoing and the cause is not yet known "explains Jacques Leblais. " For the recall campaign, we offer the customer a replacement with a new sash. "
An industrial and commercial challenge for Goiot Systems
Goiot is the main supplier of escape hatches on the multihull market. This recall is therefore important for the French boatbuilder, both from an industrial and commercial point of view, in a dynamic catamaran market. " The first replacement deliveries have begun. This represents several months of production. The number is in the thousands "says Jacques Leblais. " We have been working in transparency with the client since the beginning. It is important to keep this trust that we take years to build. That's why we go beyond the 2-year warranty on these products and go back to the date we took over the Goiot company in liquidation in 2014. "
