52 FOGHORN A PVA Member recently had to replace more than 200 Type I lifejackets during a U.S. Coast Guard inspection after inspec- tors determined the lifejackets were no longer serviceable. The issue involved the bags contain- ing the unicellular foam buoyant material (commonly referred to as kapok) inside the nylon outer shell. Inspectors found the bags were leak- ing air, requiring the lifejackets to be removed from service and destroyed. The lifejackets had been properly stored, kept dry, and protected from direct sunlight. If a buoyant chamber leaks air, mois- ture can enter the flotation material over time, reducing its buoyancy and rendering the lifejacket unserviceable. Be sure to review the Coast Guard guidance on PFD selection, inspec- tion, and serviceability, click the but- ton below. This recent inspection serves as an- other reminder that aging lifejackets should be routinely inspected before a Coast Guard examination. In 2016, the Coast Guard issued Marine Safety Alert 07-16 on lifejacket serviceability, which remains a valuable reference. INSPECT YOUR TYPE I LIFEJACKETS PVA encourages vessel owners and operators to inspect their lifejackets regularly, in accordance with com- pany policy and before Coast Guard inspections. During your inspection: • Examine lifejackets for rips, tears, holes, damaged seams, worn straps, or deteriorated hardware. Look for signs of waterlogging, mildew odor, or shrinkage of the buoyant material. • Check retroreflective tape and replace any sections that are no longer reflective. • Compress the lifejacket to approx- imately half its original thickness. The buoyant material should quickly return to its original shape. If it remains hard, stiff, or brittle, it may have lost its resiliency. • If your lifejackets contain bags of kapok or other buoyant material, gently squeeze each bag to check for air leaks. A leaking bag indicates the lifejacket should be removed from service. Once moisture enters the buoyant material, it can become stiff, waterlogged, and lose buoyancy. • Verify buoyancy if there is any doubt. A Type I adult lifejacket is required to provide a minimum of 22 pounds of buoyancy. One practical field check is to attach a 22-pound weight and confirm the lifejacket will keep it afloat. REMOVING DEFECTIVE LIFEJACKETS FROM SERVICE Federal regulations require that defec- tive lifesaving equipment be removed from service. Specifically, 46 CFR 115.808 and 46 CFR 176.808 state that the owner or managing opera- tor must destroy defective lifejackets and other lifesaving devices, in the presence of a Coast Guard marine inspector, when they are found to be incapable of repair. If you have any questions regarding lifejacket inspection or serviceability, contact your local Coast Guard in- spection office or reach out to PVA’s Eric Christensen at echristensen@ passengervessel.com. U.S. COAST GUARD Lifejacket Inspection Reminder PHOTO: U.S. COAST GUARD Operators should carefully inspect lifejackets for issues such as unicellular foam buoyant material degrading and become dust like and volume shrinkage. U.S. COAST GUARD
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