Cosalt urges operators to check lifejackets
12 July 2010
Cosalt, Europe's leading provider of critical safety equipment for the commercial marine market, is urging operators of ferries and passenger ships to check that they carry on board lifejackets that comply with new legislation coming into force on 1st July 2010.
Under the new SOLAS regulations, passenger-carrying vessels have to make provision for both 'large' passengers and 'infants'. The regulations state that for voyages of less than 24 hours duration 'at least a number of infant lifejackets equal to 2.5% of the number of passengers the vessel is certified to carry should be readily available'. This clause will affect the majority of ferries. For passenger vessels spending over 24 hours at sea, typically cruise ships, the operator must provide an infant lifejacket for each infant on board.
Large passengers (defined as 140 kg weight, or above two metres tall, or with a chest girth greater than 1350mm but less than 1750 mm) must be catered for by either carrying standard lifejackets that will fit the 'large' size or carrying additional extension straps that can be retro-fitted as required.
As Europe's foremost manufacturer of lifejackets, Cosalt has always been one of the first companies to introduce new safety features into its products in advance of proposed changes to safety legislation. The Cosalt Premier lifejacket was designed from the outset to provide sufficient buoyancy to support the weight of large passengers. Since July 2004 every Cosalt Premier lifejacket has also been manufactured to accommodate passengers with a 'large' girth. This means that vessels currently equipped with the Premier do not have to mark any jackets as being suitable for 'large' passengers or carry additional extension belts. However, extension belts can be supplied for Premier lifejackets manufactured pre - July 2004.
Similarly, long before the new SOLAS infant lifejacket requirement was established, Cosalt was supplying its hugely popular Crib lifejacket to the cruise and ferry market - a product designed to take care of the youngest passengers.
From July 2010 lifejacket manufacturers must also comply with the more stringent safety at sea Maritime Safety Committee regulations (MSC20(80)). This requires that any new lifejackets supplied must offer substantially improved performance and pass a more rigorous testing procedure. Again Cosalt has worked hard to stay ahead of the market and anticipate these changes. When the new Premier 2010 was launched, Cosalt was the first company to have an inherently buoyant lifejacket MED/SOLAS approved to meet the new regulations.
The Premier 2010 is available in Adult, Child and Infant sizes. It has a patented design neck system that can adjust to the wearer's neck size, allowing the adult jacket to be worn by anyone from 43kg to 140kg while still maintaining the correct face angles and mouth clearance above the water. The patented "Reverse Angle Head Support" holds the head at the optimum position for maximum in-water performance even if the wearer becomes unconscious. Last year the product won a prestigious "Safety at Sea Award", in recognition of the innovative design that keeps the product as easy and intuitive to don as possible.