b'FOGHORNFOCUS: SAFETYQ&A with Mark Hansen: Preserving the Life of Your Vessels PFDs Could Save the Life of Someone at RiskFOGHORN asked Mark Hansen, of PVA Associate memberOf course, they will need to be thoroughly dry before they DBC Marine Safety Systems, Survitec Group, which isare stored with lots of air circulating whilst in storage.based in Canada, about what passenger vessel operatorsHave materials used in the manufacture of PFDs changed should do to preserve the life and effectiveness of the liferecently? If so, what do vessel operators need to vests carried aboard all U.S. Coast Guard- know about how to care for a PFD to ensure its inspected passenger vessels.longevity and performance?Fabrics are improving all the time, which FOGHORN: How often do personal flotationhelps with the life cycle of life jackets. More devices (PFDs) need to be replaced on commer- durable fabrics mean products will last longer, cial vessels, such as passenger vessels? but you have to balance out that these are not Mark Hansen: If they are foam life jackets,the cheapest fabrics compared to mass-pro-they can be on board a cruise ship for 20 toduced fabrics with limited colour options. 30 years as they only sit in staterooms andBefore purchasing new jackets, customers assembly areas. All that needs changing isshould ask questions regarding how robust the safety light after five years when theythe outer fabrics, webbings, buckles, and expire. The same goes for ferries as well, ifwhich foams are being used. There are lots the life jackets are never used apart from aImage courtesy of DBCof foam options on the market and low-cost safety briefing. Marine Safety Systems. life jackets are low cost for a reason.Inflatable options if SOLAS-certified, require serviceChecking products periodically, such as monthly, will annually and are used more by the crew for different taskshelp the life jackets longevity and highlight any issues such as tender driving, painting parts of the vessel, etc.before its too late. Because of this usage they may not last as long dependingDuring a regular season, are there any dos and donts that on how well the crew looks after the life jackets. Annualvessel operators should heed regarding PFDs?servicing will keep them well maintained. If non-SOLAS,There are a number of things that vessel operators canthe life vests will also require service as recommendedand shoulddo throughout the year:by the original equipment manufacturer (OEM), which is usually annually to check for wear and tear.1.Doing regular checks as mentioned above is recom-Does where the vessel operate change the life of the PFD?mended.For example, if a vessel operates on an inland waterway such2.If a product gets wet or damp, do not leave it wet. Dry as a lake or river, will the PFD last longer than in an area withit out as soon as possible before returning it to its proper seawater?location.In either case, fresh water or seawater operations, life jackets3.If any are damaged they should be removed from will be kept in similar areas. However, salty air can affectservice and replaced with immediately whilst the fabrics and components. Annual servicing and inspectionsdamaged one is being checked out.will keep operators on top of any issues. Sometimes, life4. Crew should always wear a life jacket regardless of jackets can be moved around vessels especially if some arelocation, even if you are tied alongside and moving on permanently in the sun, they will be rotated to ensure alland off the boat. Many accidents happen at docks and the jackets wear at the same rate. surrounding water areas.Does temperature impact a PFD?Just as stability regulations for the vessels themselves needed Heat does have an effect on fabrics and will bleach the outerto be revisited several years ago and adjusted for larger pas-fabric colour over a period of time. sengers, have PFDs also been altered to support larger and What is the proper way to store PFDs in the off-season?heavier people? If so, how?In the off-season, it is best to store life jackets in a dry envi- SOLAS 2010 approvals took larger size passengers into ronment, which does not have large temperature changes.consideration and increased the belt length to 1750mm. 6 AUGUST 2019FOGHORN'