Emergency and life-saving equipment on ships
Safe use of emergency equipment
All emergency life-saving equipment must be safe to use, and you must make sure that your crew know how to use it properly.
Lifejackets
All lifejackets must be regularly inspected. You’ll need to check the individual manufacturer’s instructions on how to do this.
Download general guidance on how to use and inspect inflatable lifejackets.
Immersion suits
Read information on the safe use of immersion suits and lifejackets.
Marine evacuation systems (MESs)
A marine evacuation system is an inflatable slide or escape chute which passengers can use to get into liferafts from the ship.
If your vessel has an MES, you must make sure that crew are properly trained in how to use it, and that all onboard lifejackets can be used safely with it.
Liferafts and Hydrostatic Release Units (HRUs)
Download guidance on the safe use of HRUs and liferafts.
Fuels and lubricating oils in lifeboat engines
In lifeboat engines, you must make sure that all fuels and lubricating oils are safe to use in low temperatures.
Download information on which fuels and oils are safe to use.
Retro-reflective material
You must check all retro-reflective material at regular intervals to make sure it’s effective. Download guidance on using and fitting retro-reflective material on life-saving appliances.