Life Jackets! Maintenance and Storage

Following on from last week’s newsletter regarding lifejackets, please don’t underestimate the importance of lifejacket servicing and storing.

It is vitally important to maintain and store your lifejacket/s according to the manufacturer’s instructions, so it works when you need it. 

Requirements under the national law

What domestic commercial vessel (DCV) operators need to do to comply.

• Follow the manufacturer’s maintenance instructions
• Develop a maintenance schedule for your lifejackets
• Keep records of what maintenance has been done

See also: National law requirements relating to lifejacket risk assessments and choosing the right lifejacket.

Cleaning and storing lifejackets 

Lifejackets are exposed to heat, sun and salt, which means they damage easily. Look after your lifejackets by:

• rinsing off salt with fresh water and checking for damage after use
• storing lifejackets in a dry, well-ventilated area out of sunlight
• not using your lifejackets as cushions or fenders (bumpers)
• keeping lifejackets away from oil and fuel
• removing new lifejackets from their plastic wrapping before storing.

Checking foam lifejackets 

Make sure your foam lifejacket is in good shape by checking it before heading out on the water. If a foam lifejacket is damaged it may not keep you afloat risking your life.

• Check the straps for any fraying or wear
• Check for any damage to the foam or covering
• Ideally try it out in water in a controlled environment like a pool. Try floating on your back to see if it keeps you afloat.
• Best practice is to replace lifejackets every 10 years – if it is showing an older standard such as AS 1512, AS 1499 or AS 2260 it is likely to be older than ten years. Look at upgrading to the new standard AS 4758 lifejacket now.
• Ensure your life jacket meets current standards and regulations for your vessel and use.

Checking and cleaning inflatable lifejackets 

Inflatable lifejackets need extra care. An inflatable lifejacket can only help you if it’s in working order. If it’s not, you or one of your passengers could drown. Check your lifejacket before wearing and service it regularly in line with manufacturers instructions. For DCVs these must be service annually by an authorised service agent.

Check before wearing

First, check there are no visible signs of general wear and tear. Next, check that the CO² cylinder is not pierced and is screwed in firmly (hand tight).

If you have an auto-inflating lifejacket, check the auto-inflation cartridge is hand tight and that it’s still in date. Cartridges must be replaced by the expiry date shown.

Finally, check the pull cord is free and ready to use.

Cleaning after use

After use, remove the cartridge and rinse the lifejacket with fresh water. Dry the lifejacket and reconnect the cartridge before storing.

Servicing inflatable lifejackets 

A regular service makes sure the bladder, inflation mechanism and CO² cylinder are in good working order. You should service your lifejacket regularly in line with manufacturer’s instructions or outsource the servicing to a store or service centre. Find a service centre or store near you. 

If you cannot remember when your lifejacket was last serviced, we recommend you get it serviced straight away. Keep receipts and certificates as evidence of servicing by a service centre or store. You must also keep a record of the date your lifejacket was serviced by a service centre or store or when you have self-serviced it. There is generally a spot to write down the service date on the inside of your lifejacket.

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions

To ensure lifejackets are in working order, you should follow the manufacturer’s instructions about maintenance. 

Maintenance is particularly important for inflatable lifejackets. They need to be:

• serviced at intervals of 12 months or longer intervals as recommended by the manufacturer
• serviced at a servicing station approved and accredited to do so by the manufacturer. 

Develop a maintenance schedule and keep records

Use these instructions, and any other government or industry requirements, to develop a maintenance schedule for your lifejackets, along with all your other safety equipment. 

Never take short-cuts on servicing or skip your lifejacket maintenance checks. Keep proper records of what maintenance has been done. This allows you to track when they are next due for servicing or self-checks and helps to ensure your safety.  

Lifejacket storage

Follow these tips for the storage of your lifejacket:

• Ensure your lifejacket is dry before storing. 
• Clean salt off your lifejacket before storing. 
• Store your lifejacket in a dry place, out of sunlight and away from heat. 
• Visually check your lifejacket after use and before storing again. 
• Make sure that the place you store your lifejacket can be easily accessed at all times. If you have assessed that it’s not necessary to wear a lifejacket in a given situation, ensure your lifejacket can easily be reached in an emergency. 

Shorlink’s Recommendation

Having a lifejacket is obviously imperative, but ensuring it works when needed WILL save the life of the user.  Therefore it is our recommendation that every vessel owner and Skipper take responsibility and ensuring the lifejackets like all vital equipment onboard is checked, maintained and stored as appropriate to the SMS Risk Assessment, safely and securely.

Tip

Like all safety gear maintenance and upkeep are critical. Our best tip is to regularly take out your lifejackets and ensure they are dry and not damaged in any way. If damaged replace them.

Secondly check the light (if fitted) to ensure it is in date and working correctly. Note that some lights may need moisture to activate them.