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:
 Section 2.1
Page 2.4

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.
 Section 2.1
Page 2.6

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
 Section 2.1
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.

 Section 2.1
Page 2.9

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.
 Section 2.1
Page 2.10

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
Page 2.12

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)