Clarification on the construction of anti-exposure suits: UK21/L004

Adopted EU recommendation LSA-011. UK approved recommendation on the construction of anti-exposure suits.

Question

The Life-Saving Appliances (LSA) Code 2.4.1.1.1 states that: 鈥淭he anti-exposure suit (AES) shall be constructed with waterproof materials such that it provides inherent buoyancy of at least 70 N.鈥

To meet the requirement;

a) is it possible to make a combination of two pieces: a separate buoyancy vest (first donned and secured) and a waterproof coverall fulfilling other requirements for the material if both parts are declared as a combination on the labels of both garments?

or;

b) shall the buoyant material be an integral or attached part of the AES (e.g. between cover and lining)?

Recommendation

The answer to question a) is 鈥淣o鈥. The answer to question b) is 鈥淵es鈥.

It is required that anti-exposure suits be constructed as a single item with integral buoyancy being provided of at least 70N.

The LSA Code refers to 鈥楾he anti-exposure suit鈥 and this implies one garment, otherwise the reference would be to the 鈥榠tems of the anti-exposure suit鈥.

In addition, should the wearer have to don two separate items such as a buoyancy vest and then the suit, these may, in an emergency, become separated and the wearer may even believe that the buoyancy vest would not be required when a lifejacket is also worn. 鈥

References

  • The Life-Saving Appliances Code
  • MSN 1874 as amended
  • as amended

Items affected

  • UK/1.5, Immersion suits and anti-exposure suits designed to be worn in conjunction WITH a lifejacket

More information

Maritime and Coastguard Agency
Bay 2/21
Spring Place
105 Commercial Road
Southampton
SO15 1EG

Telephone: +44 (0) 203 817 2000

Email: MEQA@mcga.gov.uk

Website: www.gov.uk/mca

Updates to this page

Published 18 July 2023