Personal life-saving appliances — immersion suits and lifejackets — are the first line ofprotection for any seafarer or offshore worker in an emergency. The LSA Code sets out detailedperformance standards for these items, and recent regulatory activity has updated both thetechnical requirements and the training expectations that come with them.

Immersion Suit Standards Under the LSA Code

Immersion suits must meet demanding environmental performance criteria. They must function within a temperature range of -30°C to +65°C for storage and -15°C to +40°C for operational use. When immersed, they must be capable of operating in seawater temperatures from -1°C to+30°C. Construction materials must be rot-proof, corrosion-resistant, and resistant to oils and fungi. Suits must also carry appropriate UV protection to prevent degradation from sunlight.
The donning standard is equally important: STCW Basic Safety Training requires that seafarers be capable of donning an immersion suit within two minutes. This is tested during practical assessments and must be regularly practiced during onboard drills.
The LSA Code requires all lifejackets to be international orange or a similarly high-visibility color and to carry retro-reflective materials to assist with visual detection. Automatic inflatable lifejackets — which inflate upon immersion — are increasingly common in offshore environments where rapid flotation is essential. All lifejackets must carry a whistle and a light compliant with LSA Code specifications.
Lifejackets must be inspected at regular intervals by the ship’s crew, and any defects or expired components must be addressed immediately. Annual thorough inspections by authorized service technicians are required as part of a vessel’s compliance regime.

Electronic STCW Certificates: A 2025 Update

From January 1, 2025, amendments to STCW Regulations I/1 and I/2 allow seafarers’ training andcertification to be issued and verified in electronic form, provided that minimum informationrequirements are met. This simplifies the administrative process of demonstrating thatpersonnel have received the required training in personal survival techniques — includingimmersion suit donning and lifejacket use.
We provide inspection, testing, and re-certification services for immersion suits and lifejacketsfor vessel fleets and offshore installations. Contact our team to schedule an inspection.