Regulations Lifejackets

ES-TRIN Article 13.08, paragraph 2-3: Lifebuoys and lifejackets

2) A personal automatically inflatable life jacket shall be within reach of every person who is regularly on board a craft. Such life jackets shall conform to:

a) the Regulation (EU) 2016/4251 as amended; or

b) the International Life-Saving Appliance (LSA) Code, sub-section 2.2.

The requirements of (a) above shall be deemed to have been met when the life jacket satisfies the European Standards EN ISO 12402-2 : 2020, EN ISO 12402-3 : 2020, EN ISO 12402-4 : 2020.

Non-inflatable lifejackets in accordance with (a) or (b) shall also be admissible for children.

3. Lifejackets shall be inspected in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.

Special provisions applicable to passenger vessels

In addition to the lifebuoys referred to in (1), individual life-saving equipment according to Article 13.08(2) shall be within reach for all shipboard personnel.
For shipboard personal not responsible for undertaking duties according to the safety rota non-inflatable or semi-automatically inflatable lifejackets in accordance with (a) or (b) of Article 13.08(2) are allowed.

In addition to the life-saving equipment referred to in (1) and (2), individual life-saving equipment according to Article 13.08(2), shall be available for 100 % of the maximum permitted number of passengers.
Non-inflatable or semi-automatically inflatable lifejackets in accordance with (a) or (b) of Article 13.08(2) are allowed.

Special provisions applicable to recreational craft

Article 13.08 however non-inflatable lifejackets are also admissible for adults;

BPR Article 1.08 - Usage of lifejackets

1. Crew members and other persons on board must wear life jackets in accordance with ES-TRIN article 13.08, paragraph 2.

a) when going on or off board, if there is a danger of falling in the water;
b) when in the dinghy;
c) during work on the outside of the vessel, or;
d) when staying or working on deck and in the gangway, if there are no bulwarks of at least 90 cm in height or if continuous railings, as indicated in paragraph 5, have not been fitted.

2 Work outside the vessel is only permitted when ships are stationary and only when no danger can be expected from other shipping.

50N Flotation aid (ISO 12402-5)

Not a life jacket.
For experienced swimmers at a short distance from the shore and in the vicinity of possible helpers.

Not safe in case of unconsciousness.

100N Life jacket (ISO 12402-4)

For users in inland waters and in sheltered waters.
Limited safety in case of unconsciousness (clothing dependent).

150N Life jackets (ISO 12402-3)

For users in Inlandwaters, open waters and coastal water.
Limited safe use if wearing (heavy and/or) waterproof clothing.

275N Life jacket (ISO 12402-2)

For users on the open sea under extreme weather conditions.
In virtually all cases safe in case of unconsciousness, even if wearing heavy and/or waterproof clothing.

Life jacket Seagoing ships (SOLAS MED - 96/98/EC)

Complies at least with the standards of the SOLAS.
Block life jacket buoyancy 175N.
Automatically inflatable life jacket buoyancy 150N - 275N equipped with completely double system, 1 flotation section with 2 chambers, 2 CO2 cartridges and 2 mechanisms.
These life jackets are suitable for users on the open sea under extreme weather conditions.
Use in case of unconsciousness, even if wearing heavy clothing, is safe in virtually all cases.