Southern Ocean Safety Equipment - About Us

Life Raft Servicing Legacy for Southern Ocean Safety

Southern Ocean Safety Equipment began servicing liferafts and rescue equipment in 1974, when the Liferaft Servicing Station was opened and started by Bluff Engineering & Welding Co Ltd.  At the time, it was known as the Bluff Engineering Liferaft Division, and its operation included the sale and servicing of lifesaving equipment.  In October 1998 the Bluff Engineering Liferaft Division started trading as Southern Ocean Safety Limited.

Recognised Service Provider for Marine Safety in NZ & Worldwide

In April 2008 Steven and Kirstin Sargeant purchased the company and started trading as Southern Ocean Safety Equipment Limited.  The company has developed into a recognised service station throughout New Zealand and the World, a reputation the Sargeant’s aim to uphold as they take the company forward.

Maintaining High Standards in Servicing a Must for Southern Ocean

Up to date skills in servicing safety equipment is paramount for Southern Ocean Safety Equipment.  At present the company employs three fully qualified service personnel.  These employees regularly attend National and International revision courses to enable a continued high standard of servicing.
Our liferaft service bay has the capacity for 4 x 25 person liferafts at one time.  3 x 50 person liferafts at one time or 1 x 150 person ORIL at one time.
Southern Ocean Safety Equipment Ltd is an Telarc SAI Q Base Registered Supplier, New Zealand Civil Aviation Authority Maintenance license holder and is approved under Maritime New Zealand.

Servicing Liferafts, Life Jackets & Safety Equipment for Marine & Aviation Industries

Southern Ocean’s customers include: overseas shipping vessels, New Zealand-wide fishing companies and the local fishing industry, as well as marine-based tourism operators, New Zealand Government departments, schools and universities, helicopter companies, local port authorities and many more.
As well as liferaft servicing, Southern Ocean Safety Equipment Ltd carry out the sales and servicing of inflatable boats and the sales and testing of inflatable lifejackets, and are suppliers of marine flares, distress beacons, hydrostatic release units, lifejackets, marine supplies and aviation lifejackets.

Southern Ocean Safety Equipment Ltd currently holds approvals from the following liferaft and life jacket manufacturers:

•    Autoflug •    Avon •    Beaufort (Australia only) •    BFA •    Bombard •    Fujikura		•    Hutchwilco •    Mitsubishi •    Prosaver •    Roaring Forties •    Sea Air •    Seasafe		•    Seascape •    SOS Marine •    Stormy (Australia) •    Switlik •    Viking •    Zodiac Leisure