Lifejackets
Lifejackets are the one item on board that has to work the first time, so we stock inflatable and foam PFDs from Crewsaver, Spinlock, Baltic and Zhik in adult, junior and offshore specifications, along with the re-arm kits, lights and spares that keep them serviceable.
Inflatable PFDs, harnesses and foam lifejackets
Offshore sailors tend to want a harness built in, which is what the Spinlock Deckvest 6D PFD 170N with HRS and the Spinlock Deckvest Vito Offshore 170N Hammar provide, with a hydrostatic inflator that will not fire from spray or rain. For day sailing and power boating the Crewsaver Crewfit 165N Sport Lifejacket with auto harness is the common choice, and the Crewsaver Crewfit 150N Junior Lifejacket covers younger crew. An inflatable is only as good as its cylinder, so we stock Crewsaver Automatic Re-Arm Kits matched to serial number, and a water-activated PFD light is worth fitting to anything worn after dark.
How do I choose and maintain a lifejacket?
Buoyancy rating and fit decide whether a lifejacket does its job. Higher ratings such as 170N and 275N are built to turn an unconscious wearer face-up even in heavy clothing, which is why they are the offshore standard, while a 150N is sized for inshore and protected water. Fit matters as much as rating: a jacket that rides up over the ears is doing nothing. Inflatables need a yearly check of the cylinder weight, the firing head expiry and the bladder for leaks, and the cylinder has to be replaced after every inflation. Carriage requirements vary by vessel and where you are operating, and Maritime Safety Queensland publishes the current rules. Related ranges: boat safety gear and equipment, general safety, life buoys and sailing.
