Life Jackets / Lifebuoys
Lifebuoys
Lifebuoys is a group of 10 IMPA-coded items (codes 330151–330160) under Life Jackets / Lifebuoys in the Safety Equipment section (IMPA 33). All of them are priced per piece.
Buying guide
Lifebuoys (life rings) are the first thing thrown to a person in the water. This group covers SOLAS ring lifebuoys in two mass classes (over 2.5 kg and over 4 kg), each under a named approval (MED, USCG, UK, Hong Kong, DNV). The self-igniting lights and smoke signals fitted to some of the buoys are ordered from the pyrotechnics groups.
They are mounted on both sides of the ship, on the bridge wings and near the stern. The chief officer raises the requisition when a buoy is lost overboard, damaged by sun and weather, or found at survey without legible markings.
How to specify it
State the mass class and the approval; the IMPA code fixes both. Match the buoy the ship already uses, because brackets and quick-release holders are made for a given ring. The LSA Code sets an outer diameter of not more than 800 mm and a mass of not less than 2.5 kg, and a buoy meant to pull a light and smoke signal from a quick-release holder must be heavy enough to work the release.[1]
Ask for the ship’s name and port of registry to be marked in block capitals on each buoy, or order a marking kit, and state the approval needed: the MED wheel mark (item MED/1.1) for EU-flagged ships, USCG approval for US-flagged ships.[2][3]
Order buoyant lifelines as a separate line with their length. The length depends on the stowage height above the waterline, so give that height or the length already fitted rather than "standard".[2]
Rules and certificates
Under the LSA Code (as adopted in MSC.48(66)) every lifebuoy must be of inherently buoyant material, support at least 14.5 kg of iron in fresh water for 24 h, withstand a drop from its stowage height or 30 m, whichever is greater, and carry a grabline of at least 9.5 mm diameter secured at four equidistant points.[1]
The LSA Code requires buoyant lifelines to be non-kinking, at least 8 mm in diameter and of at least 5 kN breaking strength.[1]
US rules (46 CFR 199.70) require lifebuoys readily available on each side, at least half of them with self-igniting lights, at least two with self-activating smoke signals and quick-release from the bridge, at least one on each side with a buoyant lifeline at least twice the stowage height or 30 m, whichever is greater, ship’s name and port marked in block capitals, and no buoy permanently secured to the ship.[2]
Lifebuoys are item MED/1.1 under the EU Marine Equipment Directive, shown by the wheel mark and a Declaration of Conformity.[3]
Questions buyers ask
- Can a lifebuoy be lashed in its bracket to stop it being stolen or blown away?
- No. 46 CFR 199.70 states that no lifebuoy may be permanently secured to the vessel in any way; it must come free in one movement.
- Why do some buoys need to be heavier than others?
- A buoy that pulls a self-igniting light and smoke signal out of a quick-release holder on the bridge wing must have enough mass to operate that release, as the LSA Code requires.
Sources
Published by Sherif Awad, founder of GeoMarineHub — in ship supply since 1990, a family business since 1981 (45 years). Last checked .
At a glance
Part of Safety Equipment (IMPA section 33): Life-saving and fire-fighting equipment — extinguishers, breathing apparatus, lifejackets, detectors, pyrotechnics.
It is one of 4 groups under Life Jackets / Lifebuoys; the others include Life Jackets, Life Jackets Inflatable, Life Jackets Lights.
Post the ones you need as a requirement and verified suppliers activated at your port bid on them — sealed, so nobody sees another bid.
- Items
- 10
- IMPA codes
- 330151–330160
- Priced
- per piece
Items
Also under Life Jackets / Lifebuoys
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