Lifejackets for the Fishing Industry

Data Sheet Ref. No.1994/22/fg Each year some 20-30 UK fishermen die due to incidents which occur in the course of fishing. Incidents such as men being knocked, dragged or simply falling overboard and incidents where vessels collide, capsize, run aground or founder. In many cases fishermen needlessly drown and yet, had they worn a lifejacket their lives could have been saved. Most people think of lifejackets as being the bulky, cumbersome items, which all vessels carry for abandon ship purposes. However, manufacturers now produce a wide range of buoyancy devices which can be readily worn when working on deck. Such devices range from foam filled work vests to fully automatic twin chamber, high buoyancy inflatable lifejackets. An assessment of some of the products has been carried out by Seafish (Seafish Report No.420) and this is summarised as follows.

Work Vests (Price £23 - £45) These vests, which are filled with buoyant foam have a front zip fastener and a belt to secure them at the waist. They can be comfortably worn underneath sea gear and are sufficiently unobtrusive to be worn at all times, whether in the wheelhouse or on deck. In the water they provide around 80 Newtons (18 lbsf)† of buoyancy but they do not have the ability to turn an unconscious casualty into a face upwards position.

Body Warmer Type Buoyancy Aids (Price £45 - £60) These smart, nylon fabric, full length waistcoats or `body warmers' have become quite popular, particularly with skippers who favour them for use in the wheelhouse. Two different versions are made by one manufacturer; an inherently buoyant, foam filled version and an inflatable version.

†

Manufacturers figures

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Under test, the foam filled version gave a reasonable level of buoyancy, 70 Newtons(15.4lbsf)†, but was unable to support an unconscious casualty in a correct attitude. The inflatable version, which utilises a small CO 2 cylinder triggered by a lanyard, gave less buoyancy. Importantly, the inflatable version cannot be worn underneath oilskins as it will not be possible to reach the lanyard to activate inflation nor to reach the mouthpiece to inflate orally.

Oilskin Top with Buoyancy Device (Price £60 - £80) An oilskin jacket is available which incorporates an inflatable bladder across the shoulders and down the sides at the front. A CO2 cylinder inflates the bladder when the wearer rips off the `velcro' attached pocket flap on the outside of the jacket. A mouthpiece is provided for oral inflation. The jacket is available with two sizes of air bladder:95 Newtons (21lbsf)† equipped with a 12 gramme cylinder 159 Newtons (35lbsf)† equipped with a 16 gramme cylinder It is important to note that the cylinder is intended to only half inflate the bladder, sufficient to keep the wearer afloat to enable him to fully inflate the bladder orally. Tests with the smaller bladder gave a reasonable performance. With the bladder fully inflated the wearer was supported in a vertical position without any tendency to go `face down'. The bigger bladder version should be expected to give a good performance in the water but this was not tested. The effectiveness of these jackets is limited by the small size of the inflation cylinder and the difficulties which may be experienced in oral inflation. This requires one to slacken back a locking ring and then to depress a spring loaded valve whilst blowing into the inflation tube.

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Buoyant Worksuits (Price £80 - £150) In general terms, these suits are a waterproof worksuit with a lining of buoyant foam material which gives flotation and provides some thermal protection from the cold. They are available from various manufacturers either as a one piece garment or as a jacket and trouser combination. Utilizing the same theme of buoyant foam is an undersuit, known as the `Workability suit' which is designed to be worn underneath sea gear and working clothing. In the water, the performance of each type of suit will depend upon the thickness and the location of the foam lining, but in general, all suits can be expected to give a good level of buoyancy, even when only just the jacket or just the trousers are being worn. Unfortunately, despite the high level of supplied buoyancy, these suits are not suitable for an unconscious casualty as the wearer is floated in a horizontal attitude and this could well be face downwards. (If only the jacket is worn, the wearer will float in a vertical mode). The suits are ideal for cold weather conditions, but in warmer weather, they may prove to be too hot for heavy physical work. By wearing the minimum of under garments, this need not necessarily be a problem for most of the year.

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Inflatable Lifejackets A wide variety of inflatable lifejackets are available and these can be considered in two categories: Department of Transport (DOT) approved and non-approved. To be approved an inflatable lifejacket must have two separate chambers, each equipped with automatic, manual and oral means of inflation.

DOT Approved Twin Chamber Inflatable Lifejackets (Price £150 - £200) There are two basic design types available: `pouch style' and `halter style'. The `pouch style' has the bulk of the jacket in a chest mounted pouch which extends upwards to form a collar, totally around the wearers neck. A belt secures the pouch at the waist. The `halter style' can be considered as an inverted `U' which is worn around the back of the neck and extends down the front of the wearers chest at both sides. Again, a belt secures the jacket at the waist.

Of the two styles, the `halter style' is possibly more suited for prolonged wearing because it is not as restrictive around the neck. The performance in the water of these twin chamber lifejackets is excellent. Indeed, each single chamber is capable of adequately supporting and righting an unconscious casualty. They are designed to give 150-275 Newtons (33-60lbsf) of buoyancy dependent upon specification, and are suitable for day to day wearing whilst working on deck.

Non Approved Single Chamber Lifejackets (Price £45-£90) These also, are available in both pouch and halter styles, of which, the latter is the most common. The choice of automatic or manual inflation is an option, as is the addition of a harness which enables the lifejacket to be used as a safety harness. Inflation, whether it is automatic or manual, is via a cylinder of compressed CO2 gas. Automatic versions have a capsule or bobbin which dissolves or softens on contact with water permitting a spring loaded plunger to activate the cylinder. Should the automatic operation fail, the lifejacket can be inflated by pulling a lanyard, as per a manual version. Both types, automatic and manual, have a mouthpiece for oral inflation.

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These single chamber lifejackets are relatively lightweight and nonrestrictive to wear, but still give a good performance in the water. Typically, they supply 150 Newtons (33lbsf) of buoyancy and are capable of turning an unconscious casualty into a face upward position. They can be obtained with wipe clean PVC outer covers, making them suitable for day to day use on the deck of a fishing boat.

Choosing the Right Product There are various factors which one should consider when selecting a buoyancy device:• • • • • • • •

Can it be comfortably worn whilst working? Will it snag on netting etc.,? Can it be worn with sea gear? Is it suitable for both winter and summer use? Is it damage resistant and durable? Can it be cleaned easily? Will it tolerate water splashes and sea spray? Is it easy to repack/maintain?

and, most importantly, •

Has it got adequate life saving capabilities?

The level of life saving capability varies widely over the range of products available and inevitably, a compromise has to be made between those items that will be easy to wear and those that offer a good performance in the water. Whilst the wearing of any buoyancy device is to be welcomed it is important that the wearer appreciates the limitations which it may have. European guidelines recommend that for general offshore and rough weather use, such as in fishing, a 150 Newton lifejacket is required.

Important Information •

Inflatable buoyancy devices should not be worn underneath clothing as there may not be sufficient space for the device to inflate and your breathing could be severely restricted.

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The belt must be securely tightened, otherwise the buoyancy device will float up above your shoulders and not support you properly in the water.

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With inflatable buoyancy devices, automatic activation is recommended because, if knocked unconscious, you will be unable to operate a manual device.

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Automatic inflation devices may suffer false activation if moisture is allowed to penetrate to them or if they are stored in damp conditions.

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After use on deck, automatic lifejackets should be hung up in a vertical position to dry. Hanging them vertically allows any drops of water to run off, whereas, if the lifejacket is left laid horizontally, water can easily penetrate the covering.

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•

Always have a replacement cylinder and `bobbin' available. These are available from suppliers as re-arm kits.

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On most lifejackets it is possible to unscrew the automatic device section containing the spring loaded plunger and the soluble bobbin. With these removed the lifejacket will function as a manually activiated item only.

Important note It is a statutory requirement that every fishing vessel, including those under 12 metres, must carry a lifejacket for each person on board. The lifejackets must be approved by the UK Department of Transport and marked DOT (UK) APPROVED. Such approved lifejackets can be either inherently buoyant (as is common on most vessels) or inflatable, having twin chambers each equipped with automatic, manual and oral inflation. It is important to note that if one wishes to wear a single chamber inflatable lifejacket when working on deck, it must be carried in addition to DOT APPROVED lifejackets.

This Data Sheet was produced under the MAFF Funded R&D Commission by Sea Fish Industry Authority, Technology Division, St Andrews Dock, HULL, HU3 4QE

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Where to obtain your equipment Most items should be obtainable from your local chandlers, but it is worthwhile checking with other suppliers to obtain the best deal. If a group of fishermen can make up a large order then a significant discount may be possible. The following addresses may prove useful:Arthur Duthie Marine Safety Ltd Safety and Services Division 32 Stanley Street, Glasgow G41 1JD Tel: 0141-429 4553 Also at: Aberdeen 01224-587272, Lossiemouoth 01343-812078 Buckie 01542-33551 (General Stockist)

Mullion Manufacturing Ltd Wentworth Road, South Park Industrial Estate, Scunthorpe, South Humberside DN17 2AX Tel: 01 724 862355 Fax: 01 724 280146 (Buoyant Worksuits) Remploy Ltd Textile Sewing Division, Power Road, Bromborough, Wirral, Merseyside L62 3QY Tel: 0151343 9555 Fax: 0151343 1723 (Commodore Lifejackets)

Aspli Marine Ltd 211 Hunslet Road, Leeds LS10 1PF Contact: Mr J S Heaton Tel: 01132 451550 Fax: 01132 461560 (Aspli-Secumar-Stearns Lifesaving Equipment)

Sea-Dog Life Saving Appliances (Scotland) Ltd 4 Constitution Place, Edinburgh, Scotland EH6 7DL Tel: 0131-554 8531 Fax: 0131-554 8061 (General Stockist)

Cosalt Group Incorporating Cosalt - Perry’s - Youngs Contact: Ms R Thompson Cosalt Youngs, Liddel Street, North Shields Tyne & Wear NE30 1HE Tel: 0191-257 6121 Fax: 0191-2961 1431 (General Stockist)

Shark Group Nordstrom House, North Broomhill Morpeth, Northumberland, NE65 9UJ Tel: 01670 760365, Fax: 01670 761343 Contact: Ms Jan Nolan

Crewsaver Marine Equipment Ltd Mumby Road, Gosport, Hants PO12 1AQ Tel: 01705 528621 (Crewsaver equipment)

Viking Life-Saving Equipment Ltd Ocean House, Caxton Street North North London E16 1JL Tel: 0171474 8500 Fax: 0171511 6335

Eurosafety Ltd 16 Springfield Place, Lansdown Bath BA1 5RA Tel: 01 225 422760 Fax: 01 225 481400

W & R Lewis (Glasgow) Ltd 286 Broomloan Road, Glasgow, G51 2DP Tel: 0141-446 2217 (Distributors for Grundens “Stormy Seas” oilskin top with buoyancy device)

International Safety Group Ryeground House, 6 Ryeground Land, Formby, Merseyside L37 7EQ Tel: 017048 31673 Fax: 017048 74909 (Manufacturers of Challenger Lifejackets) Kevin Hughes Marine Safety Services Division, Royal Crescent Road Southampton, Hants SO0 1WB Tel: 01703-634911. Fax: 01703-330014

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