UK MER and SOLAS Approved 30" Lifebuoy Orange 2.5kg - Orange SOLAS Compliant Lifering with Reflective Tape and Grab Lines - SOLAS Compliant 30" Lifebuoy Orange 2.5kg Life Ring with UKCA & SOLAS Approved Tape and Grab Lines
The 30-inch UK MER and SOLAS MED compliant orange lifebuoy is a crucial safety device for maritime use. Made from durable PU foam, this 2.5kg lifebuoy features SOLAS-approved reflective tape for high visibility in low light and nighttime. The sturdy white braided grab lines make it easy to handle and deploy during emergencies. Ideal for commercial and leisure use, it’s perfect for docks, piers, harbours, marinas, and anywhere extra buoyancy is needed. It meets international safety standards set by the IMO and follows RNLI guidelines, ensuring reliable performance and peace of mind during critical situations.
UK MER & SOLAS MED Ships Wheel Compliant Lifebuoy: 30-inch Diameter, 75 cm Size, 2.5Kg Weight, Reflective Tape, Orange Colour - UK Life Ring
The 30-inch SOLAS & MED compliant orange lifebuoy is an essential safety device, designed for maritime environments where reliable buoyancy and high visibility needed. Made from durable PU foam, this 2.5kg lifebuoy features SOLAS-approved retro reflective tape, which ensures the lifebuoy to be seen easily in low light or nighttime conditions, which will help make your rapid rescue operations more efficient. The 30-inch lifebuoy is equipped with sturdy white braided grab lines, making it easy for you to handle and deploy during emergencies.
This versatile life-saving ring is ideal for both commercial and leisure applications, including docks, piers, harbours, marinas, and other locations where additional buoyancy may be required. Meeting the stringent safety standards set by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and complying with the RNLI guide, this lifebuoy provides dependable performance and is suitable for use on various vessels, ensuring that you are well-prepared for emergency situations
Key Features & Equipment Benefits:
- Increased Visibility: SOLAS-approved reflective tape makes the lifebuoy easier to see, ensuring quick and effective rescue in emergencies.
- Reliable Safety: The bright orange color and reflective tape make the lifebuoy highly visible, even from far away, helping rescuers find it quickly.
- Versatile Use: Suitable for use in different marine settings like docks, piers, harbors, and marinas, providing essential safety for your vessel.
- Durable and Long-Lasting: Made from tough, long-lasting polyethylene and filled with PU foam, offering great resistance to corrosion and impacts for reliable use in harsh conditions.
- Convenient Handling: Comes with sturdy white grab lines that are easy to hold, allowing for quick and easy use in emergencies.
- Compliance and Quality Assurance: Meets SOLAS, MED, and RNLI standards, ensuring it performs reliably and safely.
- Fresh and Saltwater Compatibility: Designed for use in both freshwater and saltwater, making it suitable for a range of water environments.
- Designed for Professional Use: Ideal for use by local authorities and water companies, as well as in both commercial and leisure activities.
- High Buoyancy: Provides 180 Newtons of buoyancy, ensuring strong support in emergencies.
- Optimal Dimensions: Measures 740mm (30 inches) in outside diameter, 440mm (44cm) in inside diameter, and 150 width with 115mm in depth, offering a practical size for various uses.
- Lightweight Construction: Weighs 2.5kg, making it easy to handle and deploy while still providing effective buoyancy and durability.
Technical Information:
- Material: Tough, durable polyethylene with PU foam filling (UV stabilized High Density Polyethylene (Orange color) (Color Fastness to light: 7 – ISO 105
B02) - Rope:Polyethylene Braided, 10mm Diameter
- Reflective Tape: SOLAS-approved retro-reflective tape (SOLAS tape, 800 cm2)
- Grab Lines: White braided grab lines for secure handling
- Buoyancy: 180 Newtons
- Outside Diameter: 740mm (30 inches)
- Inside Diameter: 440mm (44cm)
- Width: 150mm
- Depth: 115mm
- Weight: 2.5kg
- Compliance: UK MER, SOLAS, MED, and RNLI guide compliant (SOLAS M.E.D. 2014/90/EU, LSA code, IMO MSC 81(70)
- Water Compatibility: Suitable for both freshwater and saltwater environments
National Waterside Safety Guidlines:
Before installing life-saving equipment like lifebuoys and lifebuoy housings, it's crucial to conduct a thorough risk assessment, following the guidelines recommended by the National Water Safety Forum. At I.C. Brindle, we firmly believe that focusing on preventing water accidents is just as important as having the right rescue gear.
Should the decision be made to install lifebuoys and lifebuoy equipment, adherence to the following guidelines set forth by the National Water Safety (https://www.nationalwatersafety.org.uk/) is essential:
- Strategic Positioning: Lifebuoys should be strategically positioned in easily accessible locations, clearly visible, and preferably in the distinct colours of red or yellow to enhance visibility.
- Optimal Height: Ensure that lifebuoys are mounted at a maximum height of 1.7 metres above ground level for easy accessibility.
- Regular Maintenance: Regular inspections of lifebuoys and their housings are essential. Any signs of wear, damage, or tampering should prompt immediate replacement to guarantee their effectiveness in rescue situations.
- Considered Placement: The placement and spacing of life-saving equipment should be determined based on identified risks, Areas where people congregate or are prone to accidents should be given priority. Generally, spacing lifebuoys at intervals of 100 metres is recommended under standard conditions, ensuring that potential rescuers are not more than 50 metres away from the equipment at any given time.
Maintenance:
Check the lifebuoy ring for any signs of damage (cracks or fading). Inspect the rope to ensure it is securely fastened and in good condition, free of frays or cuts. Clean the lifebuoy with fresh water and mild soap to remove dirt, salt, and algae. Rinse thoroughly to prevent any residue from causing damage. Avoid using harsh chemicals or cleaners that could degrade the material. Lifebuoy rings have a lifespan around 5-10 years, depending on usage and exposure.
SPECIFICATIONS
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Tough, durable polyethylene.
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Has grab lines and class 1 retro reflective bands.
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Designed for use by Local Authorities River and Water Companies in both commercial and leisure activities.
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For use in either fresh or salt water.
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Ideal for deployment near rivers, canals and lakes.
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Complies with RNLI guide.
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PU foam-filled.
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Buoyancy 180 Newtons (30")
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Outside diameter: 730mm / 73cm (30")
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Internal diameter: 437mm / 43.7cm (30")
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Depth: 115mm (30")
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Weight: 2.5kg (30")
Note: all dimensions are approximate and subject to manufacturing tolerances.
Contact Us
Need any help? Get in touch with an expert via the contact form below.
What is a Lifebuoy?
A lifebuoy, is a ring-shaped buoyant device (also called a life ring), designed to aid individuals in distress and at risk of drowning in water. During emergency scenarios, the life-ring should be either thrown or lowered to the casualty, with a lifebuoy rescue throw-line securely attached. This enables the rescuer to grasp one end of the throw line and safely pull the casualty, who is holding onto the life ring, from the water to safety.
What are Lifebuoys Made of?
Lifebuoys are constructed using two key materials for enhanced durability and functionality. High-density polyethylene (HDPE), treated with UV protection, forms the robust outer shell, making the lifebuoy resistant to corrosion and impact. Polyurethane (PU) foam is filled inside the HDPE shell, providing buoyancy and effectively preventing water ingress. Additionally, grab-lines and class 1 retro-reflective bands are incorporated for improved visibility during rescue operations.
Why are Lifebuoy Important for Water Safety?
Lifebuoys are vital safety tools for organisations and individuals operating in environments where the risk of drowning is present due to proximity to bodies of water. Ranging from poolside setups at holiday homes to comply with maritime regulations aboard ships or vessels, such as SOLAS / MED requriments for lifebuoys.
Both 30-inch lifebuoys and 24-inch lifebuoys can meet the requirements set forth by SOLAS regulations. If you are unsure whether you need lifebuoy equipment, please get in touch!
Where Should I Place My Lifebuoys Around a Water Hazard?
Following guidance put out by the National Water Safety Forum - before installing any public rescue equipment, you should carry out a full risk assessment. Lifebuoys and rescue devices should support your overall water safety strategy—not replace preventative measures. Once a need has been identified, follow these general guidelines:
- Visibility & Placement: Lifebuoys should be clearly visible, ideally in red or yellow housing.
- Height: They should be mounted no higher than 1.7 metres above ground level.
- Inspection: Regular checks are essential, with damaged or missing equipment replaced immediately.
- Spacing: As a rule of thumb, place lifebuoys every 100 metres, ensuring no one is more than 50 metres away from rescue equipment in an emergency.
- Location Focus: Prioritise areas where people gather or where there's a higher risk of someone entering the water accidentally.
What Lifebuoys Do you Have in Stock?
We stock a wide selection of SOLAS and Non-SOLAS lifebuoys:
- High-visibility orange or classic white options
- Personalised and SOLAS/MED lettered lifebuoys
- Lightweight budget options
- Complete premium lifebuoy sets
- Horseshoe lifebuoys for leisure or onboard use
What Lifebuoy Sizes Do You Offer?
We offer two sizes: 24 inch and 30 inch lifebuoys. Please note these are nominal sizes, and actual dimensions may vary slightly depending on the manufacturer.
What’s the Difference Between a 24" and a 30" Lifebuoy?
The main differences are weight, buoyancy, and purpose: 24" lifebuoys weigh around 1.2–1.5kg and provide 80 newtons of buoyancy. 30" lifebuoys weigh around 2.5kg and offer approximately 180 newtons of buoyancy.
Which Lifebuoy Size Should I Choose?
Choose a 24" lifebuoy for easy throwing and quick rescues in rivers, lakes, ponds, and public areas where casualties are likely in the water briefly. Its lighter weight makes it ideal for children or elderly rescuers.
Opt for a 30" lifebuoy in professional, commercial, or high-risk environments like offshore, harbours, or piers, where recovery is harder, casualties may be in the water longer, multiple people may need help, or victims wear heavy clothing or gear.
Which Lifebuoy Is Easier to Throw?
The 24" lifebuoy is lighter and offers greater throwing distance, making it more suitable for general use and in public rescue settings.
What is a SOLAS Approved Lifebuoy?
A SOLAS-approved lifebuoy meets the safety standards set by the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) or Red Ensign Approval for UK water. These lifebuoys are designed for commercial and professional marine use, offering high visibility, increased buoyancy, and compliance with strict performance and testing requirements. SOLAS lifebuoys are typically fitted with reflective tape and may be used with lights or smoke signals.
Are Your 30" Lifebuoys SOLAS or UK/Red Ensign Compliant?
Yes. Our 30" lifebuoys both 2.5kg and 4kg, meet SOLAS and UK Red Ensign requirements, while the 24" 2.5kg version holds only SOLAS approval. We also offer SOLAS/MED lettered lifebuoys, available for vessel personalisation. The 24" 1.3kg lifebuoy does not hold either of these approvals.
Are Lifebuoy Mounting Options Available?
Yes, we offer a range of brackets, housings, cabinets, and mounting poles for secure and compliant installation. All accessories are available to order online.
Do Your Orange lifebuoys have Grablines Retro-reflective Tape?
Yes, all our orange lifebuoys come fitted with grablines and SOLAS-approved retro-reflective tape as standard. These features are essential for enhancing visibility in low light and improving the casualty’s ability to hold onto the lifebuoy during rescue.
Do Your Orange Lifebuoys Come with Throwing Lines?
Our lifebuoys can be paired with encapsulated throwing lines, which are available separately. You can purchase lifebuoys on their own or as part of a complete setup with compatible 20-metre or 30-metre throwing lines, depending on the lifebuoy size. This flexibility lets you choose the best option for your specific water safety needs
Which Throwing Lines Fit Which Lifebuoys?
Our 20-metre encapsulated throwing lines are designed to fit 24-inch lifebuoys, offering a compact and lightweight rescue solution. For 30-inch lifebuoys, we recommend using the 30-metre encapsulated throwing lines, which are better suited to the increased buoyancy and typical deployment scenarios of larger life rings.
Do You Offer Complete Lifebuoy Sets?
Yes, we offer both standard and premium lifebuoy sets to suit soft or hard ground installations. Options include 24" and 30" lifebuoys with encapsulated throwing lines, stainless steel hooks, cabinets, and rail clamps. Choose from galvanised or GRP poles, base plate poles, or Y-stands depending on your setup.
Do You Ship Internationally?
Yes, we offer worldwide shipping on all lifebuoy sets.
