If you took your tank for a hydrostatic testing to Underwater Adventures
in Leesburg, Florida — or bought a used tank of unknown origins — you
may have to do it again. The U.S. Department of Transportation, which regulates
pressurized tanks, has discovered that Underwater Adventures
marked and certified many tanks as properly tested when they were not.
They also marked many cylinders with a Retester Identification Number
(RIN) that belongs to another company.
Some of these tanks may have a compromised structural integrity and
explode upon filling. Underwater Adventures failed to keep records, so it’s
impossible to determine the number of cylinders they improperly certified.
If you have a tank marked with RIN numbers B095 or B059 and stamped
with a retest date after 1986, you should not fill it until properly retested. As
you might imagine, the Feds are investigating Underwater Adventures.
DACOR is recalling the 2001 Supreme SPG and SPG consoles because
they may have defective metal fittings on the high-pressure hose. These may
leak or become separated from the hose under normal pressure loads. The
problematic hoses are black with gray lettering and horizontal gray banding
along the entire length. According to Rob Cairns, vice president of sales and
marketing, the problem surfaced in Europe. He says that there have been
no reports of leaking or failing hoses in North America. Nonetheless, if you
bought your console after February 1, 2001, return it to your nearest
DACOR dealer for free inspection and hose replacement, if necessary.
For more info, call DACOR at 800-323-0463 or visit their website at
www.divedacor.com.