What is necessary to put in a work boat in a ship, an imersion suit or work vests?

Question

a ship have a workboat, now i'm confused which type of gear shoul i put, a work vest or an immersion suit?please give me some websites to prove this marine problem...thanks!

Answer 1

I'm sure you could find the answer from a Coast Guard website. But if it was me I would put both. Work vests are good for working on deck in warm waters, they allow you to move freely compared to a life jacket. But in cold winter waters they will only hold you dead body afloat. That's were the immersion suit comes in. It's all about survival. But it in the case of a coast guard inspection it depends on the guy you get. Coasties are like snowflakes......Everyone has a different answer on what equipment you should have on bored.

Answer 2

Marine problem ?

Lady, I have been in this business for 40 years and I have no earthly - much less oceanography - idea of what in the world you are talking about.

Answer 3

Check the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Title 46 - the rules and regs Coast Guard enforces, and SOLAS - Safety of Life at Sea.  Check your local regulations, you don't indicate if you are working inland or coast wise, but make sure you are in compliance.  These rules exist for your safety!

I believe that in the GoM we are now required to have our whole fleet equipped with at least one immersion suit per person in addition to the one Type I PFD per person onboard (we keep one for everybody in the bunk space, plus extras near the muster stations).  This in ADDITION to the Type V "work vests" which are only meant to be a very short term aid if the guy falls overboard while unloading a crane - it's not a survival vest.

You will (hopefully) NEVER need the immersion suits - but they are designed to stave off hypothermia if  you do go in the water for some reason.  You'll last much longer with it on - you CAN die of hypothermia in 75 degree water.  

And don't forget your ring that is designed to be thrown!

My experience is that if you contact the USCG or class society - if your work boat is classed (for example ABS) they will be happy to help you figure out how to get your life saving and safety equipment in order (without writing you up).

Answer 4

Work boats usually work close to the ship.   It is hard to work or do anything in a survival suit, and a workboat would sink too quickly to don the suit if it did sink.   I'd just take the vests.