PRODUCT: Underwater Strobes - Sea & Sea Underwater Photography (U.S.A.)
Inc., of Carlsbad, Calif., is recalling about 7,000 underwater camera
strobe lights, used as a light source for photography to replace the
battery cap. The recall includes all model number YS-50 strobes. It also
includes all model number YS-60 and YS-120 strobes with serial numbers
beginning with 96 or 94. The serial numbers are written inside the
plastic housing. They were sold in yellow, black and orange. Writing on
the strobes includes, "Sea & Sea" and "Japan." Scuba dive centers and
photography stores nationwide sold these strobes from February 1988
through March 1999 for between $500 and $800.
PROBLEM: If the strobe becomes flooded, gas build-up can cause the
battery cap to forcefully eject off of the strobe or cause the front
section of the strobe to violently separate from the back section.
Pieces of the strobe can strike the user or others in the vicinity.
INCIDENTS/INJURIES: CPSC and Sea & Sea have received two reports of
injury resulting from the strobes. The first incident, in the Carribean,
occurred when a repair technician had a tooth chipped as he was removing
the battery cap. The second incident, in Japan, caused facial
lacerations to a consumer when the strobe unit violently broke apart.
WHAT TO DO: Consumers should immediately stop using these strobes. Any
strobe suspected of being flooded, which is indicated when the unit
either stops working or is corroded, should be returned to an authorized
repair center for repair. Sea & Sea is offering a free replacement
battery cap with a vent that prevents the gas build up within the
strobe. To locate the nearest authorized repair center or for more
information, consumers should call Sea & Sea at (800) 732-7977 9 a.m to
5 p.m. PST Monday through Friday. Consumers also can write to: Sea & Sea
Products Underwater Photography (U.S.A.) Inc., 1938 Kellogg Ave.,
Carlsbad, CA 92008 or email: service@seaandsea.com.
