Designed and tested with the French lifeboat association
This jacket was developed and tested in collaboration with the French lifeboat association.
Since 2020, Tribord and the French lifeboat association have been working together on all the development phases, from the initial specifications to the development of prototypes and their tests at sea.
This jacket has been tested in the laboratory, at sea and in rescue operations by day and at night.
A modular life vest for adaptable safety.
The innovative design allows to switch from a life vest to a lightweight offshore harness by using a reinforced YKK zip fastener.
If you prefer a harness and feel too hot in your life vest, but want to remain attached, this allows you to adapt your safety to the situation.
The life vest meets the ISO 12402-3 standard, and the harness meets the ISO 12401 standard. For offshore sailing, the standard demands at least 150 N. We have gone even further than the standard 180 N.
Jacket tested in conjunction with offshore sailing gear, for offshore sailing.
It is designed for offshore sailing, with a buoyancy of 180 N, which enables an adult wearing full sailing gear to remain afloat.
Offshore sailing gear (jacket, dungarees, boots) can trap a lot of air, which risks limiting the self-righting performance.
The asymmetrical, pyramid-shaped structure of the inflation chamber takes account of this factor to facilitate the self-righting of an unconscious person wearing sailing gear onto their back, so that their airways remain free.
A life vest designed to help search operations by day and at night
Indicate your position, communicate:
- placement of the AIS on the mouthpiece
- attachment of the PLB along the inflation chamber
- 2 VHF attachments on the harness straps
Visible at night:
Optimal position of the reflective strips that takes account of the position when waiting in the water
Orange inflation chamber to facilitate daytime search operations
360° flashlight on the upper part of the inflation chamber for 360° visibility in the search area.
Checking your jacket before sailing 1/2
- CO² cartridge: check that it has not been perforated, there are no signs of corrosion, and it is firmly screwed in
- Trigger (black): firmly screwed in, has not expired, the green cap is present
- the perforating mechanism (yellow): the green seal (green triangle) is present, indicating that the jacket has not been triggered.
- The jacket: Complete and with no signs of wear (tears, fraying), inflation chamber stored away in its bag.
Checking your jacket before sailing 2/2
In addition, regularly (at least once a year):
- Inflate the life vest using the mouthpiece and leave inflated for 24 hours: the pressure of the life vest must not drop
- Check the expiry date of the trigger
When to replace the gas cartridge and the trigger (salt bobbin)
- Salt bobbin = expiry date in the following format: 05 2030 (May 2030). The bobbin must be replaced after this date. This salt bobbin model: 8641190
- Cartridge of CO² = Check that it is not punctured, that there are no signs of corrosion, and weigh it to check that the weight has not changed. The weight is etched on the cartridge. If the weight is different, the cartridge must be replaced. Model code of the 38 g cartridge: 8735531
How to re-arm your jacket
Be careful to install in the correct order:
1. Remove the CO² bobbin and the salt bobbin
2. Replace the salt bobbin UML (model code 8641190)
3. Replace the 38 g CO² cartridge (model code 8735531)
If you do not follow this order of installation, there is a risk of piercing the new cartridge if the trigger system for the salt bobbin has been previously used.
Operation of the trigger
The LJ180N is equipped with an automatic UML MK5 trigger with a cellulose bobbin.
When it comes into contact with the water, the latter is inserted into the cylinder of the trigger to dissolve the cellulose bobbin.
A spring is then released that pierces the cylinder of CO² and inflates the inflation chamber.
The pressure of the inflation chamber opens the YKK QUICK BURST zip and allows the inflation chamber to unfold.
A pull cord can also be used to activate the life vest manually.
ACCESSORIES
The life vest is compatible with:
- an all-purpose anti-spray hood that can be inserted in the collar.
- an AIS
- a PLB
- a VHF
None of these accessories are sold with the jacket.
Which body shapes are suited to this life vest?
The 3D droplet shape and the position of the trigger have been optimised.
This jacket is designed for sailors who weigh between 40 kg and 130 kg with a waistline of 60 cm to 130 cm.
Who is this jacket designed for?
This jacket is suitable for persons weighing between 40 kg and 130 kg with a waistline of 60 cm to 120 cm and a chest of 120 cm maximum
Storage conditions
The trigger uses a UML salt bobbin that is water- and humidity-sensitive.
Storing it in a humid, poorly ventilated and/or warm place can cause condensation, triggering it.
To avoid untimely triggering, we recommend making sure that the jacket is dry (inside and outside) before storing it in a well-ventilated place.
Storing it in a humid, poorly ventilated and/or warm place can cause condensation, triggering it.
