Changes to the LSA Code and SOLAS – requirements for lifejackets
Amendments to Chapter II of the International Life-Saving Appliance (LSA) Code come into effect on July 1, 2010, and introduce the following new requirements for the approval of lifejackets:
Each lifejacket shall be fitted with a whistle firmly secured by a lanyard.
Lifejacket lights and whistles shall be selected and secured to the lifejacket in such a way that their performance in combination is not degraded.
Each lifejacket shall be provided with a releasable buoyant line or other means to secure it to a lifejacket worn by another person in the water.
Each lifejacket shall be provided with a suitable means to allow a rescuer to lift the wearer from the water into a survival craft or rescue boat.
The requirements apply:
to lifejackets provided on board ships constructed (having their keel laid) on or after July 1, 2010 when providing new lifejackets to vessels with a keel laying date before July 1, 2010.
and
New requirements for the carriage of additional equipment, also effective July 1, 2010, have been introduced under the SOLAS Convention, as follows:
On all ships where adult lifejackets are not designed to fit persons weighing up to 140 kg with a chest girth of up to 1,750 mm, suitable accessories are to be provided that allow the lifejacket to be secured to such persons.
All passenger ships are to be provided with lifejackets for “infants”.
Relevant IMO resolutions and circulars
The amendments to Chapter II of the LSA Code and Chapter III of SOLAS were adopted by the IMO through resolutions MSC.207(81) and MSC.201(81) respectively.
Resolution MSC.81(70) – Revised Recommendation on Testing of Life-Saving Appliances (adopted on December 11, 1998) has been amended by resolution MSC.200(80) to reflect the new requirements.
However, it should be noted that MSC/Circ.980 – Standardized Life-Saving Appliance Evaluation and Test Report Forms has not been similarly amended; when required, these amendments will be applied and information is to be included in the relevant test report forms.
Source: LR
Each lifejacket shall be provided with a releasable buoyant line or other means to secure it to a lifejacket worn by another person in the water
can anybody elaborate what does it mean?
It means that the lifejacket you wear has a line attached to it and is possibly buoyant that can be attached or tied to another person with a life jacket to keep survivors from driftING apart. Hope that helps.
what should be the minimum length of the releasable buoyant line attached to the life jacket?
Lifejacket lights and whistles shall be selected and secured to the lifejacket in such a way that their performance in combination is not degraded
-Does this mean that it is now mandatory for Life jackets to be fitted with both Life Jacket Light and Whistle?
Yes, it is mandatory for each life jacket to be fitted with a light and a whistle.
What is the mandatory maximum period between passenger Lifejacket checks in passenger ships?
what is the requirement for lifejackets upto 140kgs on cargo ships greater than 100m but less than 200m.
how many in number should we have.
Is there a expiry date for an Inflatable life vest,what are the checks to be carried out on an inflatable life vest ?
Any requiremnts for number spare lights for life jacket?
How many spare life jacket should we have?
What percentage extra lifejacket is required onboard a vessel?
Should a Solas Light fitted to a Solas Twin Chamber life jacket be changed every 12 months or only based on the Expiry of the Unit?
What is the difference between a solas lifejacket and an inflatable lifejacket. Can the inflatable life jacket turn an unconscious person up to face the air?
Good day,
Is there any requirement for rigid lifejacket to have the vessel name and call sign on it?