Everyone on board a pleasure craft of less than 7 metres in lenght and a personal watercraft (Jetski Etc) or being towed by one must wear a life jacket or a personal flotation device.

   

The regulations on the wearing of lifejackets or PDFs came into force in June 2004.  Among other, it obliges:

• the master of a non-mechanically propelled pleasure craft (e.g. a rowing boat) shall ensure the boat carries a suitable personal floatation device or lifejacket for each person on board;
• the Master of an open non-mechanically propelled pleasure craft of less than 7.0 metres length overall, shall ensure that a suitable personal floatation device or lifejacket is worn by every person on board at all times, other than when the craft is made fast to the shore or anchored; 
• The master of a non-mechanically propelled pleasure craft shall take all reasonable steps to ensure that a person who has not attained the age of 16 years shall, at all times, while on the deck of the craft, wear a suitable personal floatation device or lifejacket.

Putting on a lifejacket in the middle of a Marine accident is a bit like trying to fasten your seat belt in the middle of a car crash.  People say to me “ Sure, I can swim! I don’t need a Life Jacket” The fact is that if you swim, you halve your survival time in the water by burning up essential energy which could be keeping you warm, conscious and alive. If you go unconscious either from a knock or through Cold / Hypothermia, the chances are that you will lie face down in the water and drown. If you lose consciousness through Hypothermia, you may still have 30 to 60 minutes of life left in you. A life jacket will buy you that extra time.

Wearing a life jacket will keep you afloat with out having to use vital energy. It will keep your head and face out of the water so even if you do go unconscious you are not at as much risk of drowning.

Violation of the any of the provisions of the Merchant Shipping (pleasure craft)(lifejackets and operation)(safety) Regulations 2004 may result in an on the spot fine of  €127 issued by an Authorised Officer, or prosecution in the District Court.

Authorised Officers include members of the Gardaí Síochana, Naval Service, Harbour Masters, and members of the Maritime Safety Directorate and the Irish Coast Guard nominated by the Minister.

 

 

 

 

 

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What is a Personal Floatation Device?

This is a generic term used to describe lifejackets and buoyancy aids. The main difference between lifejackets and buoyancy aids is that a lifejacket is designed to turn an unconscious person face up on entering the water. A buoyancy aid is not guaranteed to do this and is as the name describes, an aid to keeping you afloat.

Wearing Personal Floatation Devices

It is vital to wear a buoyancy aid or a lifejacket when afloat or if your activity takes you near the water. You must ensure that it is the correct size, properly fastened and that you understand how to operate it. In sports like jet skiing, water skiing, dinghy sailing, windsurfing and canoeing, wearing the right personal floatation device (PFD) will give you the confidence to enjoy your activity even when your in the water. For other activities wearing an appropriate PFD can give you extra time for the search and rescue services to find and rescue you.

Caring for you Personal Floatation Device

Your PFD could save your life, so it is important to look after it. You should have it serviced in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations. On a regular basis, you should visually check the PFD for wear and tear especially at the folds, straps and fastenings. On inflatable lifejackets, check to see if the gas bottle is full, fitted correctly and has no signs of corrosion. If used in salt water, you should regularly wash out you PFD with fresh water and allow it to dry fully before repacking. Ensure you disarm any automatic inflation mechanism before washing your PFD to avoid accidental inflation.

Don’t use your PFD as a cushion as this may compress, and thus reduce the effectiveness of the buoyancy. Like most things they do not last forever. If your PFD is looking tatty it may not work so get a new one.

The right Personal Floatation Device?

Personal floatation devices are available with foam-only buoyancy, air foam buoyancy or air-only buoyancy. The most suitable type for you will depend on the type of activity and the distance you are likely to be from the shore.

Foam only personal floatation devices provide buoyancy at all times. They may be bulky, but in addition to providing buoyancy, they often provide additional protection against wind and cold.

Air-only lifejackets are likely to be the most compact and comfortable and may be automatically activated on entering the water or inflated manually or orally. Spare gas cylinders and automatic inflation mechanisms should be carried.

The type and amount of clothing worn will affect the effectiveness of a lifejacket. If air becomes trapped in clothing, or if a floatation suit is worn in addition to a lifejacket, it may reduce the ability of a lifejacket to roll you face up in the water. Choosing a PFD with more buoyancy may counteract this.

It is recommended that all personal floatation devices be fitted with a whistle. Light and retro-reflective strips and should have crotch straps.

For some sports such as jet skiing, water skiing, dinghy sailing, windsurfing and canoeing, specialised personal floatation devices are available which are specifically designed to suit these sports.

Understanding Personal Flotation Devices

Buoyancy is measured in Newton – 10 Newton equals 1 kilogramme of flotation. There are 4 European standards for personal floatation devices, which must all carry the CE mark.

• The 50 Newton Personal Flotation Device is commonly called a Buoyancy aid. It is intended for use by those who are competent swimmers and who are near to the bank or shore, or who have help and means of rescue close at hand. These PFDs have minimum bulk, but they are of limited use in disturbed water, and cannot be expected to keep the user safe for a long period of time. They do not have sufficient buoyancy to protect people who are unable to help themselves. They require active participation by the user. Recommended for Dinghy sailors, windsurfers, water-skiers & Personal Water craft where the user might reasonable expect to end up in the water.
• The 100 Newton lifejacket is intended for those who may have to wait for rescue but are likely to do so in sheltered and calm water. Whilst these lifejackets are less bulky than those with more buoyancy, they are only intended for use in relatively sheltered waters. They may not have sufficient buoyancy to protect people who are unable to help themselves and may not roll an unconscious person onto their back particularly if they are wearing heavy clothing.
• The 150 Newton lifejacket in intended for general offshore and rough weather use where a high standard of performance is required. It should turn an unconscious person into a safe position and requires no subsequent action by the wearer to keep their face out of the water. Its performance may be affected if the user is wearing heavy and/or waterproof clothing. Recommended for general use on coastal and inshore waters when sailing, fishing etc. where the user would not expect to end up in the water.
• The 275 Newton Lifejacket is intended primarily for offshore and extreme conditions and for those wearing heavy protective clothing that may adversely affect the self-righting capacity of the lifejacket. This lifejacket is designed to ensure that the wearer is floating in the correct position with their mouth and nose clear of the surface of the water. Recommended for offshore cruising, fishing and commercial users.

Look for a Lifejacket that is IMO/SOLAS approved. These are mainly carried on certain of commercial vessels like passenger boats. They are usually intended only for use when abandoning ship as they ten to be bulky and difficult to use when working.

A guide to Personal Flotation Devices Download PFD info.doc

Department of Transport – SI No 921 of 2005 – Pleasure Craft (Personal Flotation Devices and Operation) (Safety) Regulations 2005

 

Disclaimer
This is the Website of the Crosshaven Voluntary Team. Views expressed here may be the personal views of a team member. For offical information please visit www.coastguard.ie