AZMarine Services

Lifejacket Servicing: Essential for Safety at Sea

Life jackets are critical safety equipment that can save lives in emergencies. However, without regular servicing, even the most reliable life jacket can fail when needed most. Professional servicing per SOLAS & MSC.81(70).

0938697839
10,000+ Lifejackets/year
5+ Brands
SOLAS MSC.81(70)
3-5 Days turnaround
SOLAS Approved
Introduction to Lifejacket Servicing

Essential Servicing for Maritime Safety

Lifejackets are critical safety devices that can save lives in emergencies. However, without regular servicing, even the most reliable lifejacket can fail when needed most. Professional servicing ensures compliance with international maritime safety standards.
  • Ensure compliance with international maritime safety regulations
  • Extend equipment lifespan (7–15 years)
  • Maintain inflation system and buoyancy chamber accuracy
  • Early damage detection, prevent dangerous failures

Why Regular Servicing Matters

Ensure safety and international regulatory compliance

Ensure Safety Compliance

Regular servicing ensures compliance with international maritime safety standards including SOLAS Chapter III, MSC.81(70) — mandatory for PSC inspections.

Prolong Lifespan

Proper maintenance extends lifejacket lifespan from 7 to 15 years depending on brand: Besto (10 years), Viking (15 years), Survitec (10–15 years), Lalizas (7–8 years).

Maintain Performance

Ensure inflation system and buoyancy chambers work perfectly. Inspect CO2 cylinders, hydrostatic activators, safety valves — critical for automatic activation upon immersion.

Avoid Unexpected Failures

Early detection of wear, corrosion, and component damage before they lead to life-threatening failures. Prevent unexpected malfunctions during emergencies.

CO2 System Inspection

CO2 Inflation System Check

The CO2 inflation system is the most critical component of an inflatable lifejacket. Our technicians perform detailed inspections of CO2 cylinders, automatic hydrostatic inflators, and manual pull mechanisms to ensure proper inflation during emergencies.
  • Verify CO2 cylinder weight using electronic scales
  • Inspect activation mechanism and safety valves
  • Test inflation chamber airtight integrity
  • Replace expired or failed CO2 cylinders

Brand Lifespan & Servicing Requirements

Detailed information about lifejacket brands we service

Brand Expected Lifespan Servicing Requirement
Besto Up to 10 years Annual servicing required
Eval 7–10 years Dependent on usage conditions
Lalizas 7–8 years Regular maintenance required
Viking Up to 15 years Annual inspection with proper care
Survitec 10–15 years Periodic professional servicing

Servicing Process

Professional 5-step process per SOLAS & MSC.81(70) international standards

1

Visual Inspection

Inspect physical damage: tears, abrasions, UV degradation, stitching integrity. Verify labels, serial numbers, and service history.

2

Buoyancy Testing

Detect inflation chamber leaks. Verify buoyancy capacity meets manufacturer safety specs. Minimum 24-hour pressure hold test.

3

CO2 Inflation System

Inspect CO2 cylinders (weight, expiry), automatic hydrostatic inflators, manual pull mechanisms. Ensure proper inflation during emergencies.

4

Cleaning & Replacement

Clean lifejacket fabric, replace damaged or expired components: CO2 cylinders, lifejacket lights, retro-reflective tape, lanyards, whistles, buckles.

5

Reassembly & Certification

Reassembly per manufacturer procedures. Final quality check. Issue SOLAS compliance certificate with updated service record for PSC inspection.

Equipment & Components

Key lifejacket components inspected and serviced

Lifejacket Classification

Types of lifejackets and corresponding servicing requirements

Inflatable Lifejacket 150N

SOLAS / Offshore
  • Auto-inflates when entering water
  • 150 Newton buoyancy — offshore standard
  • Annual servicing mandatory
  • Check CO2 cylinder, hydrostatic trigger
  • 10–15 year lifespan with proper maintenance

Inflatable Lifejacket 275N

Heavy Duty / Offshore
  • 275N buoyancy — for heavy protective clothing
  • Dual chamber or twin bladder
  • Dual check: both chambers independently
  • Integrated buddy line, flash light, whistle
  • Service cycle: 12 months

Foam Lifejacket 100N

Coastal / Inland
  • Fixed 100N buoyancy — no inflation needed
  • No CO2 system to maintain
  • Check: fabric, straps, buckles, reflective tape
  • Replace water light and survival whistle
  • Lifespan: per actual condition

Detailed Inspection Checklist

All items inspected per MSC.81(70) during each servicing

External Inspection

  • Fabric condition: tears, abrasion, UV degradation
  • Seams and joints: no fraying, no stretching
  • Buckles, straps, harness: secure
  • SOLAS reflective tape: intact, correct position
  • Labels: vessel name, serial, service date
  • Waterproof pocket: intact

Inflation System

  • CO2 cylinder: weight meets standard (electronic scale)
  • CO2 cylinder: no corrosion, expiry valid
  • Hydrostatic trigger (Hammar, Halkey-Roberts)
  • Manual pull mechanism: functioning
  • Pressure relief safety valve: not jammed
  • Oral inflation tube: intact

Buoyancy & Sealing

  • Inflate to working pressure
  • Hold pressure minimum 24 hours — leak ≤ 5%
  • Soap spray test for valve leaks
  • Check bladder welds/seals
  • Buoyancy meets manufacturer specs (150N/275N)
  • Dual chamber: test each chamber independently

Accessories & Components

  • Lifejacket light: working, battery valid
  • Survival whistle: functional, attached
  • Buddy line: no wear, sufficient length
  • Lifting loop: load-bearing, no fraying
  • Crotch strap: intact, buckle functional
  • Spray hood (if fitted): no tears, deployment system ok

Why Choose AZMarine

Trusted partner for lifejacket servicing

Certified Expertise

Factory-trained technicians certified by major lifejacket manufacturers including Viking, Survitec, Besto, Lalizas, and Eval.

SOLAS/IMO Compliant

All services meet SOLAS Chapter III, MSC.81(70), and IMO resolution standards. Documentation accepted by all classification societies.

Advanced Diagnostics

State-of-the-art pressure testing, leak detection, and inflation system diagnostic equipment for accurate results.

Nationwide Service

Service available at major ports across Vietnam. Pick-up and delivery arrangements. Fast turnaround times.

Lifejacket Brands

We service all leading lifejacket brands

Certifications & Standards

Internationally certified services, recognized by maritime authorities

SOLAS Chapter III

Compliant with SOLAS Chapter III life-saving appliance regulations

MSC.81(70)

IMO resolution on lifejacket inspection and maintenance

ISO 9001:2015

Certified quality management system

VR Approved

Vietnam Register approved

The AZMarine team serviced over 200 lifejackets for our fleet, with fast and professional service.

TT
Trần Minh Tuấn
Safety Officer - PVTrans

Frequently Asked Questions

Inflatable lifejackets should be professionally serviced at least every 12 months per SOLAS regulations. More frequent inspection may be needed for lifejackets in harsh or heavy-use environments.

Visual checks can be done by crew, but professional servicing must be performed by certified technicians using manufacturer-approved procedures and parts. DIY servicing will not produce valid certification for PSC inspections.

If a lifejacket fails inspection, our technicians will provide a detailed report of the issues and recommend repair (if economically viable) or replacement. We can supply new lifejackets from our extensive inventory of major brands.

Check the service label on each lifejacket — it shows the last service date and next due date. Signs of needed servicing: expired CO2 cylinder, visible fabric damage, faded reflective tape, corroded buckles, or any deployment not followed by professional re-packing.

Standard turnaround is 3–5 business days for a batch of lifejackets. Priority service is available for urgent requests with 24–48 hour turnaround. Contact us in advance to arrange scheduling for large quantities.

Lifespan depends on brand and storage conditions: Besto up to 10 years, Eval 7–10 years, Lalizas 7–8 years, Viking up to 15 years, Survitec 10–15 years. Prerequisite is annual professional servicing per manufacturer procedures.

Yes. Inflatable lifejackets in particular require mandatory annual professional servicing due to their complex CO2 systems. Foam lifejackets also need periodic inspection: fabric condition, straps, buckles, reflective tape, lifejacket lights, and whistles. Inspection ensures equipment readiness when needed.

Need Lifejacket Servicing?

Contact us now for free consultation and a quick quote. Our team of experts is ready to serve at all major ports nationwide.

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