Under a voluntary recall notice, Lotus Designs, Inc./Patagonia, Inc. have announced that two versions of their Mildwater personal flotation devices may pose a potential casualty hazard.

The recall covers 22,433 "Mildwater PFD" (style number L1085 - also sold as "Fishing PFD" style number 82770 and "Patagonia Fishing Vest" style number L1155) vests manufactured between September 2003 and December 2005.

Hazard: Samples of these PFDs have been found that do not comply with the U.S. Coast Guard 15.5lb minimum buoyancy requirement and Underwriters Laboratories Standard 1123. To date there are no reports of accidents or injuries related to the products. Nonetheless, Lotus Designs, Inc. is acting pro-actively on this matter given the potential for accidental drowning, with an under-buoyant product.

Consumers are advised to check the lot number on the label of their product; if the label matches any of these four or five digit numbers, the product should be returned for a full refund to the addresses below.

Numbers are: 2000, 2001, 2002, 2046, 2047, 2048, 21409, 2164, 2216, 2217, 2218, 2288, 2289, 2290, 2291, 2292, 2496, 2497, 2498, 2499, 6061, 6062, 6063, 6064, 6068, 61201, 61434, 61435, 61436, 6169, 61690, 61691, 6170, 6171, 6172, 6168.

US Returns:
Lotus Designs Returns
8550 White Fir St.
Reno, NV 89523

Canada Returns:
Patagonia International, Inc.
C/O CDEC
800 Rue Sud
Cowansville, Quebec, J2K 2Y3

For more information, see Patagonia - Lotus Mildwater PFD Voluntary Recall Notice