That is not a Zhik PFD in the picture. Zhik PFD's are solid black, solid grey, or solid red. They are not grey with black side panels.
Curious...I seem to recall the Zhik logo on these. It is a pull-over type...no zip/buckles and no pockets and at the time ('07), there were no other black/grey color schemes around I can think of. Perhaps it was purchased in outside USA?
Second of all, it's not as easy as just applying for USCG approval.
My latest quote from USCG is that it would cost between $150,000 and $225,000 to APPLY for the approval process. I would have to sell a ton of PFD's to recoup that cost. On top of that, if we make any changes whatsoever, the process and fees have to be repeated.
The rest of the world is attempting to define an ISO standard that would make the PFD's legal in all countries, meanwhile the USCG is actively resisting this movement.
We're not trying to make a lightweight "cheater" PFD. They meet the flotation and durability standards of all the other countries, ie CE Approval.
So, if the US pfd makers are following these regs, how can they stay in business against the imports?
