Suffolk Marine Safety was delighted to attend the RYA East Cruising Conference on Sunday 25 October 2026, held at the Royal Hospital School, Ipswich.

The conference brought together skippers, boat owners, crews and marine industry professionals for a day of informative presentations, practical advice and discussions covering a wide range of cruising and boating topics.

As part of the day’s programme, Roland Mann, Managing Director of Suffolk Marine Safety, delivered breakout sessions focusing on an essential aspect of boating safety:

“What Can Owners Check on Their Lifejackets, and When Is a Professional Service Required?”

Understanding Your Lifejacket

During the sessions, Roland explained the importance of regularly inspecting lifejackets and understanding the difference between routine checks that owners can carry out themselves and the more comprehensive inspections undertaken during a professional service.

Lifejackets are a vital piece of safety equipment, but they are often overlooked until needed in an emergency. Regular checks and correct servicing help ensure they remain in good working condition.

What Can Lifejacket Owners Check Themselves?

Roland highlighted several important checks that owners should carry out regularly, particularly before heading out on the water:

• General condition: Inspect the outer cover, straps, buckles and stitching for signs of wear or damage.
• Inflation cylinder: Check that the CO₂ cylinder is correctly fitted, secure and free from corrosion, following the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Firing mechanism: Check the status indicators and any expiry dates on automatic inflation components.
• Oral inflation tube: Ensure the tube and valve are accessible and appear undamaged.
• Spray hood and light: Where fitted, check their condition and the expiry date or status of the light.
• Storage: Ensure lifejackets are stored correctly, away from excessive moisture, heat and contamination.

These simple checks can help identify potential problems before they become serious.

However, routine owner checks are not a substitute for professional servicing.

When Is a Professional Lifejacket Service Required?

Roland also explained the importance of following the manufacturer’s servicing recommendations and any requirements applicable to the vessel or its operation.

Professional servicing involves a more detailed inspection and testing process, which may include:

• A thorough examination of the lifejacket and its components.
• Inspection of the inflation system and firing mechanism.
• Checking the condition and weight of the CO₂ cylinder.
• Inflation and pressure-retention testing to identify possible leaks.
• Inspection of the bladder, valves, seams and associated fittings.
• Checking and replacing expired or defective components as required.
• Repacking the lifejacket correctly in accordance with manufacturer instructions.

Servicing intervals vary depending on the manufacturer, model, usage and whether the lifejacket is used for leisure or commercial purposes.

For many leisure inflatable lifejackets, annual professional servicing is recommended, while commercial equipment may be subject to specific mandatory inspection requirements.

Owners should always follow the applicable manufacturer’s instructions and regulatory requirements.

Supporting Safer Cruising

The breakout sessions provided an opportunity for attendees to ask questions, learn more about their equipment and better understand the importance of lifejacket maintenance.

The RYA East Cruising Conference also featured a broad range of presentations, including cruising destinations, rigging maintenance, VHF/DSC radio updates, incident management and other practical boating subjects.

Suffolk Marine Safety was pleased to join fellow exhibitors and organisations supporting the boating community, including the RNLI, HM Coastguard and other marine industry specialists.

Professional Lifejacket Servicing at Suffolk Marine Safety

At Suffolk Marine Safety, we believe that understanding your safety equipment is just as important as owning it.

As a manufacturer-approved lifejacket servicing centre for a range of leading brands, our experienced team provides professional inspections, testing and servicing to help keep your equipment ready for use.

We offer lifejacket servicing for both leisure and commercial customers, with nationwide collection and delivery options available.

Thank you to RYA East for organising an informative and enjoyable conference, and to everyone who attended Roland’s sessions and visited the Suffolk Marine Safety stand.

Is Your Lifejacket Due for a Service?

Don’t wait until you need your lifejacket to discover a problem.

Contact Suffolk Marine Safety to discuss your lifejacket servicing requirements.

Suffolk Marine Safety Ltd
Telephone: 01473 833010
Email: enquiries@suffolkmarinesafety.com
Website: https://suffolkmarinesafety.com/