Pyrotechnics
Lifebuoy Self-igniting Lights
Lifebuoy Self-igniting Lights is a group of 14 IMPA-coded items (codes 330329–331380) under Pyrotechnics in the Safety Equipment section (IMPA 33). They are priced per piece (13) and per set (1).
Buying guide
A self-igniting light is attached to a lifebuoy by a lanyard and switches on when it lands in the water, so a person overboard and the buoy can be found at night. This group also covers the combined light-and-smoke man-overboard markers mounted in quick-release holders on the bridge wings.
The chief officer orders them when the battery or the unit reaches its expiry date, after a man-overboard drill in which a unit was used, or when a buoy and light are lost.
How to specify it
Say whether the item is a light only or a combined light and smoke marker, and whether it hangs on a bracket or sits in a quick-release holder worked from the bridge. Give the make and model already fitted if the holders are to be reused, since holders are model-specific.[2]
Some models in this group are listed as intrinsically safe, and some codes include or exclude the bracket or the battery; state which you need. Ask for the expiry date of each unit on delivery and for spare batteries if the model takes them. State the approval needed — MED wheel mark (item MED/1.2b for lifebuoy position-indicating lights) or USCG approval.[3][2]
Rules and certificates
Under the LSA Code (as adopted in MSC.48(66)) a lifebuoy self-igniting light must not be extinguishable by water, must be white, either burn continuously at not less than 2 cd in all directions of the upper hemisphere or flash 50 to 70 times a minute at the equivalent effective intensity, last at least 2 h, and survive the lifebuoy drop test.[1]
The LSA Code requires lifebuoy self-activating smoke signals to emit highly visible smoke for at least 15 min floating in calm water, without exploding or flaming, and to keep smoking when fully submerged for at least 10 s.[1]
US rules (46 CFR 199.70) require at least half the lifebuoys to carry self-igniting lights and at least two to carry self-activating smoke signals, stowed so they can be quickly released from the navigating bridge.[2]
Questions buyers ask
- What is the difference between a self-igniting light and an MOB marker?
- A self-igniting light gives light only. A man-overboard marker combines the light with a self-activating smoke signal in one unit, intended for the quick-release buoys at the bridge wings.
- How do I know when a unit must be replaced?
- Each unit or battery carries the manufacturer’s expiry date. Ask the supplier to state the expiry on the delivery note so that units with little remaining life are not supplied.
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 15 groups under Pyrotechnics; the others include Buoyant Smoke Signals, Hand Flares, Lifebuoy Self-activating Smoke Signals, Line Throwing Apparatuses, Line Throwing Appliance Electric Ignition Type and 9 more.
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
- 14
- IMPA codes
- 330329–331380
- Priced
- per piece · per set
Items
Also under Pyrotechnics
- Buoyant Smoke Signals
- Hand Flares
- Lifebuoy Self-activating Smoke Signals
- Line Throwing Apparatuses
- Line Throwing Appliance Electric Ignition Type
- Manoverboards
- Pneumatic Line Thrower Rescue 230
- Rocket Parachute Flares
- Rocket Star Signals
- Ship's Bridge Distress Kits
- Ship's Lifeboat/Liferaft Distress Kits
- Spare Kits for Comet Linethrower 250
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