The Fishing Vessels (Life-Saving Appliances) Regulations 1988

PART II Inflatable lifejackets

Inflatable lifejackets for persons weighing 32kg or over shall comply with the following requirements—

1.  Construction

1.1 An inflatable lifejacket shall be constructed with proper workmanship and materials.

1.2 An inflatable lifejacket shall be so constructed that—

.1 after demonstration, a person can correctly don it within a period of 1 minute without assistance;

.2 it is capable of being worn inside out or is clearly capable of being worn in only one way and, as far as is possible, cannot be donned incorrectly;

.3 it is comfortable to wear;

.4 it allows the wearer to jump from a height of at least 4.5 metres into the water without injury and without dislodging or damaging the lifejacket.

1.3 It shall be so constructed that the buoyancy is not reduced by more than 5% after 24 hours submersion in fresh water.

1.4 It shall be fitted with a whistle firmly secured by a cord of suitable length. The whistle shall be non-metallic and not be adversely affected by water or humidity.

1.5 It shall be fitted with an approved light.

1.6 It shall be fitted with retro-reflective material where it will assist in detection and the dimensions and location of the material shall be to the satisfaction of the Secretary of State.

1.7 An inflatable lifejacket shall be constructed with not less than two separate compartments, and not less than two compartments shall inflate automatically on immersion and be provided with a device to permit inflation by a single manual motion. All compartments shall be capable of being inflated by mouth. The automatic inflation system shall be so designed and protected that the risk of inadvertent inflation is reduced to a minimum.

1.8 In the event of loss of buoyancy in any one compartment the lifejacket shall be capable of complying with the requirements of paragraphs 1.2, 3.4 and 3.5.

1.9 The inflatable compartments shall be so located that when inflated they do not channel water into the wearer’s face when in a seaway.

1.10 An inflatable lifejacket shall comply with the requirements of paragraph 1.3 after inflation by means of the automatic mechanism.

1.11 It shall be fitted with a ring or loop or similar device of adequate strength to facilitate rescue.

2.  Materials and Components

2.1 Materials and components shall as applicable be rot-proof, corrosion resistant, and not be unduly affected by sea-water, oil or fungal attack, shall be resistant to deterioration due to exposure to sunlight, and shall comply with the requirements of Clause 5 of BS 3595.

2.2 Materials used on the exterior of the buoyancy chambers shall be of a highly visible colour such as traffic yellow (BS 381, Ref 368), international orange (BS 381, Ref 592) or a colour of equivalent conspicuity.

3.  Performance

3.1 An inflatable lifejacket shall not be damaged in stowage throughout an air temperature range of −30 degsC to +65 degsC.

3.2 It shall operate throughout a sea-water temperature range of −1 degsC to +30 degsC.

3.3 It shall be capable of satisfactory operation in a sea-way.

3.4 It shall have sufficient buoyancy and stability in calm fresh water to—

.1 lift the mouth of an exhausted or unconscious person not less than 120mm clear of the water with the body inclined backwards at an angle of not less than 20 degs and not more than 50 degs from the vertical position;

.2 turn the body of an unconscious person in the water from any position to one where the mouth is clear of the water in not more than 5 seconds;

3.5 An inflatable lifejacket shall allow the person wearing it to swim a short distance and to board a survival craft.

3.6 It shall not sustain burning or continue melting after being totally enveloped in a fire for a period of 2 seconds.

4.  Marking

4.1 An inflatable lifejacket shall be marked indelibly with—

.1 the manufacturer’s name or trade mark and name of lifejacket, if any;

.2 means of identification of the date of manufacture;

.3 the words “PERSON OF 32KG OR MORE” on the front in letters not less than 12mm in size;

.4 the words “DOT (UK) APPROVED” or “DTp (UK) APPROVED” in letters not less than 12mm in size; and

.5 the word “FRONT” on both sides of the front part of the lifejacket in letters not less than 12mm in size in the case of lifejackets which can be worn inside-out. In the case of lifejackets which can only be worn one way the marking shall be on the outside of the front part of the lifejacket.

5.  Instructions and Information

Instructions and information shall be provided in English in a clear and concise form and shall include the following—

.1 description of lifejacket and attachments;

.2 donning;

.3 operation;

.4 packing;

.5 any maintenance requirements;

.6 servicing requirements;

.7 type and charged weight of gas bottles; and

.8 replacement of gas bottles.