Section 2.
1
Page 2.1
Permanent Buoyancy
Lifejacket
Inflatable Lifejacket
Uninflated
Section 2.1
Page 2.3
NUMBER OF L1FEJACKETS
For SalAS vessels
One for each person on board.
Plus lifejackets for persons on watch (e.g. bridge, engine control room, and other manned
watch stations) stowed at the watch stations.
Plus lifejackets for use at remotely located survival craft positions.
Additional requirements for passenger ships
Plus child lifejackets for at least 10% of the total number of passengers on board or one
lifejacket for each child, whichever is the greater number.
Plus an additional 5% of the total number of persons on board. These lifejackets are to be
conspicuously stowed in places on deck or at the muster stations.
STOWAGE
Lifejackets are to be readily accessible and their positions clearly indicated. If there is the possibility
of the Iifejackets becoming inaccessible alternative arrangements must be made, which may include
increasing the number of lifejackets carried.
Lifejackets must be stored in an accessible, clearly marked, dry place. They are to be always in a
ready-to-use condition.
CARE AND INSPECTION OF L1FEJACKETS
Lifejackets should be treated with care in order that, when required, they can save your life!
Regularly check that any tie tapes, straps and buckles are in good order and securely attached:
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make sure that any stitching is sound and that any welded or glued seams are closed; the retro-
reflective tape, whistle and light must be securely attached; and the light battery in date.
If the lifejacket requires cleaning use only luke-warm fresh water and mild soap. Lifejackets with an
automatic inflation mechanism can only be rinsed in water if the mechanism has been de-activated.
Do not use detergents, bleach or cleaning fluids to clean the lifejacket and do not place it in a
washing machine or tumble dryer. Allow the lifejacket to dry naturally.
Inflatable lifejackets are normally serviced once a year, but should be inspected at more frequent
intervals. To service an inflatable lifejacket (normally undertaken by the manufacturers' agent).
Remove the gas cylinders. Check that the seals are not pierced and check for signs of
corrosion. Weigh the cylinder and compare the weight with the gross weight marked on the
cylinder.
~ Q For automatic inflation Iifejackets check that the automatic capsules are still operative and are
not clogged with dirt.
Examine the firing heads and test their operation by pulling the manual inflation cord to see
that the firing pin travels freely and that both pin and lever return freely.
Inspection of the automatic inflation mechanism will vary according to the manufacturer.
Consult the instructions appropriate to the type of lifejacket in use.
Check the air holding properties of the lifejacket by orally inflating it and leaving it overnight (in
a consistent temperature). If air loss does occur then deliver the lifejacket to the
manufacturers' agent for repair ..
Lifejacket Light
with a lithium battery.
A water activated light which
uses a silver chloride battery. It
is an intrinsically safe unit. The
light operates when the sealing
plugs are removed and the unit
is immersed in fresh or salt
water.
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L1FEJACKETS FOR 'DOMESTIC' PASSENGER VESSELS,
NON-SOLAS L1FEJACKETS & BUOYANCY AIDS
Other lifejackets which do not conform to all the SalAS requirements may sometimes be found on
board. On a SalAS vessel these may be provided as working lifejackets and are not to be
considered as part of the ship's statutory requirement. Often working lifejackets will be single
chamber inflatable lifejackets and may be automatically inflated on immersion or manually inflated by
pulling a cord which opens a carbon dioxide gas cartridge to inflate the lifejacket. Non-regulation
lifejackets must be respected and cared for as all other lifejackets on board.
Lifejackets provided on 'domestic' passenger vessels may vary in specification from the SalAS
standard.
A buoyancy aid provides additional buoyancy for a conscious person who is
able to swim and help themselves. It has less buoyancy than a lifejacket and
will not turn an unconscious person face up.
Some vessels may carry buoyancy aids for use as working lifejackets. A
buoyancy aid is a flotation device that will help the wearer help himself. They do not provide sufficient
buoyancy to allow the wearer to stay afloat unaided, and should therefore only be worn by competent
swimmers, in a relatively safe working environment, in sheltered waters and when there is help close
to hand.
Uninsulated Immersion
Suit
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Page 2.8
PRACTICE
Personnel should practice donning and working in their suits and so become familiar with any
limitations imposed on activity whilst wearing them. Before entering the water ensure that the suit
is correctly fastened and not damaged. This is particularly significant if the suit is loose fitting. If
incorrectly fastened or damaged, a loose fitting suit, when immersed, will fill with water and render
the wearer at best immobile and at worst submerged. In practice, in rough seas, most suits will
leak a little.
The number of immersion suits or anti-exposure suits to be carried is as follows:
one for each member of a rescue boat crew.
one for each member of a fast rescue boat crew.
one for each member of the operating crew of an open lifeboat, but not less than
three suits for each open lifeboat.
one for each person assigned to the marine evacuation system party.
On cargo vessels of less than 85m in length (other than tankers) that have no davit launched
survival craft then each person on board must be provided with an immersion suit.
Without assistance, it can be unpacked and donned within two minutes.
The wearer must be able to climb up and down a 5m vertical ladder.
Without assistance the wearer must be able to correctly don a lifejacket.
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It will not sustain burning or continue to melt after being totally enveloped in a fire for a
period of two seconds.
After jumping 4.5 metres into the water the suit must not be damaged or dislodged.
That it protects its wearer from rapidly losing body heat.
The wearer must be able to complete normal abandonment duties.
An uninsulated immersion suit is to be marked with instructions that it is to be worn in
conjunction with warm clothing.
It will cover the whole body excepting the face.
There is an arrangement to minimise the effect of free air in the leg of the suit (this is so
that there is not excessive buoyancy in the legs causing them to be elevated above the
body when in the water).
The wearer must be able to swim a short distance and board a survival craft.
After jumping 4.5 metres into the water there must not be undue ingress of water into the
suit.
It will cover the whole body excepting the head & hands (and feet, where permitted by
the administration). Gloves and hood are to be provided.
It will contain a pocket suitable for carrying a portable VHF radio telephone.
The wear must be able to swim at least 25m and board a survival craft.
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CARE OF THE SUITS
Immersion suits and anti-exposure suits should be carefully checked periodically.
Take the suit out of its storage bag and try it on. After wearing in the water, clean the suit
thoroughly using luke warm fresh water. A mild soap may also be used. The suit should be
allowed to drip dry.
2 Check all zippers for smooth operation. Any malfunctioning zipper should be replaced. Only
the manufacturer or his authorised agent should make this repair.
3 Lubricate the zipper with paraffin wax or other approved grease.
4 Glue tears with the manufacturers recommended repair cement.
5 Store with zipper in the open position, with any straps fastened but loose and rescue harness
(if fitted) undone.
6 Lay suit flat and roll from feet to head - cross arms- return to bag. Alternatively the suit may
be stored on a hanger.
7 Store in a cool, dry area.
It is recommended that immersion suits are inspected by an authorised service station every twelve
months.
Section 2.3
Page 2.11
Section 2.1
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Location Minimum number of TPA's required
Open Lifeboat 100% of the lifeboat capacity.
This may be reduced by the number of
immersion suits provided for the operating crew.
Partially enclosed Lifeboat 10% of the lifeboat / liferaft / rescue boat
Enclosed Lifeboat capacity or two, whichever is the greater.
Liferaft (with canopy)
Rescue Boat
Fast Rescue Boat
Open-Reversible liferaft (non-SalAS) Not required (except Sweden)
Ro-Ro Emergency Equipment locker A total of six TPA's and/or blankets
(UK Flagged passenger ro-ro vessels only)
