New standard for life-jackets

Press, 29 May 1982, Page 22

New standard for life-jackets

PA Wellington A new standard for lifejackets and buoyancy aids should be ready in about three months, in time for the next boating season.

The standard, which is being produced by the Standards Association. will include buoyancy vests and garments, quoits, and buoyancyaid wet-suits.

A spokesman for the Marine Division said that each item would have a set buoyancy rating and had been tested to ensure that the user would be supported in the water long enough to be rescued.

Such buoyancy aids were designed for different aquatic sports and were

extras, not replacements for life-jackets. Life-jackets were already covered by a standard which had been" set in 1974. The new standard would have some differences. For example, the sheltered-waters life-jacket, which was used by many yachtsmen and people boating for pleasure, would need to have a whistle and reflective tape.

This type of life-jacket was less bulky and had half the buoyancy rating for lifejackets approved for deep seas or coastal vessels. Under the new standard, coastal life-jackets will be in a separate category, having 25 per cent more buoyancy than sheltered-waters lifejackets and 25 per cent less buoyancy than deep-sea lifejackets.