Lifejackets on workboats at Seawork
The man with the lifejacket has more than double the chances of survival than the man without.
The UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency will be coordinating a demonstration in the water at Seawork 2010, along with the RNLI, each day of the show at around 1:30pm.
These demonstrations will illustrate the relevance and importance of correctly fitted lifejackets and their maintenance, looking at lifejacket retaining systems, spray hoods and the effects of cold water shock.
No one intends to end up in the water, but accidents can and do happen. Training and common sense help but the fact remains lives could be saved every year if people wear a correctly fitted, well maintained lifejacket.
The lifejacket is the most familiar personal life saving appliance available but is often not worn and not well maintained. Regulations require that a lifejacket should be provided for every person on board a commercially coded vessel and the MCA recommend risk assessments are carried out with respect to where and when they are worn.
Mark Towl, the MCA’s Vessel Policy Advisor said, ‘Lifejackets must be available for everyone on board a commercial vessel. The company and the skipper are responsible for ensuring that they are serviced regularly and maintained according to the manufacturer’s instructions. More lives will be saved if everyone understands the risks of not wearing a lifejacket that is correctly fitted, and well maintained.’
Ian Benham, Fishing Safety Manager at the RNLI added, ‘The RNLI is encouraged by an emerging trend in the acceptance and wearing of lifejackets. We have worked extensively alongside the marine commercial sector to try and identify a lifejacket that is comfortable and durable enough to be used constantly. These trials resulted in a large increase in the use of lifejackets amongst the group involved, a sure sign that they have found a lifejacket that is suitable to be used all the time.’
The MCA recommend that on a working boat a lifejacket is worn at all times, as the risk of falling in the water should never be underestimated and to climb back onto a boat is always a difficult task, especially if someone is experiencing cold water shock. UK waters are significantly below body temperature, therefore immersion triggers certain involuntary responses.
Professor Mike Tipton at the University of Portsmouth said, ‘Remember the first couple of minutes of immersion are really hazardous. Don’t attempt to swim, unless you are very close to your boat. Relax as much as possible and find something to hold on to whilst your body adapts and you regain control of your breathing. After this you will have up to 20 minutes to ensure that you either get back on board or call for help, before your muscles begin to fail. Studies show you are much more likely to survive if you know what will happen if you fall in and mentally prepare yourself.’
Statistics from actual incidents show that the probability of long term survival is more than doubled when a lifejacket is worn and a good lifejacket can make the difference between life and death. To learn more about best practice, don’t miss the in water demonstrations at Seawork 2010.
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