Lifebuoy
medium
3 models total
A lifebuoy is the plainest piece of rescue kit on deck, but SOLAS fixes its number, buoyancy, colour, and the length of line clipped to it, because in most man-overboard cases it is the first thing that leaves the ship's rail.
Read more — Lifebuoy explained ▾
What a lifebuoy is for
A lifebuoy is a passive flotation device, not a rescue system. It buys time: a person in the water grips it or is pulled toward it while a proper recovery — rescue boat, MOB recovery system, pilot ladder, or a purpose-built recovery sling — is organised. It has no propulsion, no steering, and on its own it will not get a casualty back on deck. That distinction matters when a ship is choosing rescue equipment: a full complement of lifebuoys satisfies one SOLAS requirement, a working recovery plan satisfies a different one, and neither substitutes for the other.
Construction and fittings
- Buoyant body — closed-cell foam or cork, not dependent on fibrous glass or any material whose buoyancy is lost through cracking or maintenance neglect. External and inner diameter are fixed by SOLAS.
- Buoyancy — must support an iron weight of 14.5 kg in fresh water for 24 hours without sinking.
- Grab line — a continuous line looped around the outer circumference, within reach from any point in the water.
- Retro-reflective tape — four strips fitted to every lifebuoy so a searchlight picks it up at night.
- Self-igniting light — fitted to at least half the carried number, battery-powered, activates on contact with water, burns for a minimum duration set by its own type approval.
- Buoyant smoke signal — required on at least two lifebuoys, one on each side of the bridge, on ships over 100 m in length and on passenger ships.
- Retrieving line — fitted to at least two lifebuoys, non-kinking, minimum length set by SOLAS, allows the buoy to be thrown and hauled back without launching a boat.
Carriage numbers and placement
The number of lifebuoys a ship must carry scales with length, from a handful on a small coaster to 30 on the largest passenger ships. At least one lifebuoy is positioned near the stern, others distributed along both sides so that none is more than a short run from any point on the working deck. Marking each lifebuoy with the ship's name and port of registry in block capitals is a carriage requirement, not a cosmetic choice — it identifies the ship if the buoy is later recovered by another vessel or found ashore.
Regulations and class
SOLAS Chapter III, Regulation 7.1 sets the number, buoyancy, and fitting requirements described above. The LSA Code Chapter II gives the technical specification for the buoy, the light, and the smoke signal. Lifebuoy lights and smoke signals need their own type approval separate from the buoy itself, and class surveyors check expiry dates on both at every safety equipment survey.
Typical faults
| Fault | Consequence |
|---|---|
| UV-degraded or cracked shell | Water ingress into the foam core reduces buoyancy below the certified minimum. |
| Faded or missing retro-reflective tape | Buoy becomes hard to spot with a searchlight during a night recovery. |
| Corroded self-igniting light contacts | Light fails to activate on water contact, exactly when it is needed. |
| Rotted or fused grab line | A person in the water cannot get a secure hold. |
| Retrieving line stowed incorrectly | Line fouls or kinks when thrown, the buoy cannot be hauled back cleanly. |
What to look for in a supplier
- Wheel Mark or equivalent flag-state type approval on the buoy, the light, and the smoke signal as separate items.
- A stated buoyancy test certificate, not just a manufacturer's declaration.
- Clear expiry marking on lights and smoke signals so the crew does not have to guess service life.
- Consistent stock of matching brackets and quick-release housings, since replacement buoys often have to fit an existing mounting.
Check the self-igniting light every safety round, not just at survey — a light that failed six months ago is a lifebuoy that has quietly become decoration.
1 manufacturers · 3 models
Viking
3
SOLAS Lifebuoy 30-inch
14.5 kg buoyancy
· Man-Overboard / Rescue
Diameter (mm)
762
Buoyancy (kg)
14.5
Solas
ja
Common Failures & Inspection Points
- Shell cracking from UV
- Retro-reflective tape peeling
- Grab line deterioration
Service: Min 8 per vessel (varies by length). Annual inspection. Replace if cracked.
Spare Parts: Ersatzteile über Viking oder zugelassene Vertriebspartner. Lead time: 2-6 Wochen.
Strengths
- Meets mandatory SOLAS requirements and USCG Type Approval
- High buoyancy (≈14.5 kg) suitable for most crew rescues
- Integrated grab line simplifies victim retrieval
- Retro‑reflective tape enhances visibility in low light
- Standard 30‑inch size fits typical mounting brackets on a wide range of vessels
Weaknesses
- Shell material can become brittle and crack after prolonged UV exposure
- Retro‑reflective tape may peel over time, requiring re‑application or replacement
- Grab line (often nylon) deteriorates if not inspected regularly
- Only one size; larger vessels may prefer a 36‑inch lifebuoy for added margin
- Annual inspection mandatory – adds to maintenance workload
Typical Vessels:
Bulk CarrierTankerContainer ShipGeneral Cargo VesselFerryOffshore Supply VesselFishing Vessel
Certifications:
SOLASUSCG Type Approval
Decision Guide: Choose if you need a proven, SOLAS‑compliant lifebuoy with adequate buoyancy for standard crew rescue and you can commit to annual inspections. Avoid if your vessel requires larger‑diameter lifebuoys, has extreme UV exposure without protective shading, or you prefer a low‑maintenance polymer that does not rely on retro‑reflective tape.
Use Cases: Mounted on deck railings, near muster stations, or at lifeboat launch points on merchant ships and passenger ferries; used for immediate man‑overboard rescue or to assist crew members who have fallen overboard in open water.
SOLAS Lifebuoy Light LEDL
N/A
· Man-Overboard / Rescue
· LED integrated lifebuoy light
Type
lifebuoy_light
Burn time hrs
2
Solas
ja
Common Failures & Inspection Points
- Battery expiry
- Water-activation switch failure
- LED failure
Service: Attached to lifebuoys. Battery replacement per schedule.
Spare Parts: Ersatzteile über Viking oder zugelassene Vertriebspartner. Lead time: 2-6 Wochen.
Strengths
- Automatic water‑activation eliminates need for manual switch‑on in emergencies
- Bright, low‑power LED offers high visibility even in rough sea conditions
- SOLAS compliance ensures acceptance on all flag states and classification societies
- Compact design integrates lighting without adding bulk to the lifebuoy
- Battery replacement interval is clearly defined, simplifying maintenance planning
Weaknesses
- Limited battery life (2‑hour burn time) requires strict adherence to replacement schedule
- Failure modes such as water‑activation switch or LED burnout can render the light ineffective if not inspected regularly
- Additional cost compared with a standard non‑lit lifebuoy
- Battery disposal must follow hazardous waste regulations
Typical Vessels:
Passenger ferriesCruise shipsRo‑Ro vesselsOffshore supply vesselsGeneral cargo carriers
Certifications:
SOLAS
Decision Guide: Choose if: you need a lifebuoy that provides reliable illumination for night or low‑visibility rescues and must meet SOLAS Chapter III requirements. Avoid if: the vessel operates in warm climates where battery life may be reduced, or budget constraints preclude the added cost of an illuminated unit.
Use Cases: Deployed on deck railings, lifeboat stations, and near gangways where a crew member might need to locate a thrown lifebuoy in darkness or adverse weather; commonly used on passenger‑carrying vessels and offshore platforms for rapid man‑overboard response.
SOLAS Lifebuoy Smoke Signal
N/A
· Man-Overboard / Rescue
· water‑activated smoke signal lifebuoy
Type
lifebuoy_smoke
Burn time min
15
Solas
ja
Common Failures & Inspection Points
- Chemical charge degradation
- Water-activation failure
- Expiry
Service: At least 2 lifebuoys with smoke signal. 3-year shelf life.
Spare Parts: Ersatzteile über Viking oder zugelassene Vertriebspartner. Lead time: 2-6 Wochen.
Strengths
- Meets SOLAS Chapter III requirements for combined lifebuoy and visual distress signal
- Integrated smoke unit provides 15 min of high‑visibility signaling without separate flares
- Robust, corrosion‑resistant construction typical of Viking life‑saving appliances
- Simple one‑hand activation by immersion in water
- Three‑year shelf life simplifies inventory planning
Weaknesses
- Chemical smoke charge degrades with age; must be replaced at expiry
- If the water‑activation mechanism is blocked or damaged, signal may not ignite
- Burn time limited to 15 minutes compared with longer‑duration pyrotechnic flares
- Requires dry storage conditions to preserve chemical integrity
- Only one smoke unit per lifebuoy; additional visual signals need separate devices
Typical Vessels:
Passenger shipFerryCruise vesselOffshore supply vesselGeneral cargo ship
Certifications:
SOLAS
Decision Guide: Choose if you need a compact, SOLAS‑compliant lifebuoy that also provides an immediate visual smoke signal without carrying separate flares. Avoid if your operation demands longer burn times, chemical‑free signaling, or if storage conditions cannot guarantee the integrity of the smoke charge.
Use Cases: Deployed on passenger and ferry decks, offshore platform rescue stations, and any SOLAS‑regulated vessel where space is limited and a combined flotation and visual distress device simplifies life‑saving equipment inventories.