Lifejacket Servicing UK — What Is Involved
Lifejacket Servicing UK — What Is Involved and Why It Matters
A lifejacket that has never been serviced is a lifejacket that may or may not work when you need it. The CO2 cylinder may be underweight. The automatic bobbin may be expired. The inflator mechanism may have a fault. The bladder may have a slow leak. You would not know any of this without a service.
Here is exactly what happens during a professional lifejacket service and why it needs to be done annually.
What Happens During a Lifejacket Service
A professional service at an approved service centre typically covers the following:
Complete disassembly — the inflator mechanism is removed and all components are separated for individual inspection.
Bladder inspection — the bladder is inflated and submerged in water to check for any leaks. Even small leaks are identified this way that would not be found by the oral inflation check alone.
Inflator mechanism test — the trigger mechanism is tested to confirm it functions correctly. This is not possible without specialist equipment.
CO2 cylinder check — the cylinder is weighed against its stated weight and checked for any damage or corrosion. Underweight cylinders are replaced.
Automatic bobbin replacement — the bobbin is replaced as a matter of course at every service regardless of its apparent condition.
Oral inflation tube and valve check — the non-return valve in the oral inflation tube is checked for correct function.
Reassembly and re-arm — the jacket is reassembled with new service components and the inflation mechanism is re-armed correctly.
Service label — a dated service label is attached confirming the service date and the details of the components replaced.
How Much Does Lifejacket Servicing Cost?
A basic lifejacket service at a UK approved service centre typically costs £20 to £40 for the labour, plus any replacement components. A new CO2 cylinder costs around £10 to £20. A service kit (bobbin, cylinder pin, and any other standard parts) costs £10 to £30 depending on the model.
Total service cost per lifejacket — typically £30 to £70 depending on the model and what needs replacing.
Where to Get It Done
Most marine chandlers with a service department offer lifejacket servicing. Crewsaver, Spinlock, Survitec, and other UK marine safety companies offer servicing directly or through approved centres. Search for your nearest authorised service centre for your specific lifejacket brand.
What Happens If You Do Not Service It?
Most people use their lifejacket without ever servicing it. Most of the time, nothing happens — the jacket never needs to be used and the unserviced condition is never discovered.
The problem is the minority of times when the lifejacket is needed. A lifejacket with an expired bobbin does not self-inflate. A jacket with a leaking bladder deflates in the water. A jacket with an underweight cylinder inflates partially. In each scenario, the person wearing the jacket may not be adequately supported face-up in the water.
Annual servicing is not regulatory gold-plating. It is what ensures the equipment does what it is supposed to do when it matters.
FAQs
Is lifejacket servicing legally required in the UK?
For commercial vessels — yes, under the applicable MCA codes of practice. For recreational use — there is no specific statutory requirement for annual servicing, but the MCA and RYA strongly recommend it and many marine insurers require it. For offshore workers — lifejackets are subject to the installation’s safety management system requirements.
Can I service my own lifejacket?
Some components — particularly bobbin replacement — can be done with the correct service kit. The full inspection including bladder submersion test and inflator mechanism test requires specialist equipment and should be done professionally.
How do I find an approved service centre?
Most lifejacket manufacturers maintain a list of approved service centres on their website. Your local chandler or marine safety equipment supplier will also typically offer servicing or be able to direct you to the nearest centre.
Service your lifejacket annually. An unserviced lifejacket may fail when needed. marinesafetyguide.com participates in affiliate programmes including Amazon Associates and may earn a small commission on purchases made through links on this site.
