What the regulations say
It is mandatory to carry a flashlight or a lighting device with a 6-hour battery life and attached to each individual buoyancy device (this is not a requirement of the life preserver is mandatory for MVNM, windsurfing, kites and boats propelled by human energy). This measure is applicable to basic, coastal, semi-offshore and offshore equipment. Inland waters are not concerned.
What models are available?
Cyalume Stick
- manual initiation
- Autonomy: 8 to 12 hours
- Weight: 40 g
- Available in three colours (green, yellow, red)
- Retail price: approximately EUR 3.95 each
This Cyalume glow stick instantly produces a continuous light, visible up to 2 km at night and on clear days. Flame-free, spark-free, heat-free, battery-free, non-toxic, non-corrosive, waterproof, unsinkable, unbreakable, non-flammable, corrosion-proof and above all inexpensive.
TopoMarine Flash Lamp
- Automatic or manual, alkaline battery
- Light output: 2 cd
- Autonomy in flash emission: 16 h
- Weight: 37g
- Public sale price: 13.80 euros
Distributed by Plastimo, this individual alkaline battery powered light with a 5 year life span is to be mounted on one of the straps of your automatic lifejacket. A test button allows you to check from time to time that the lamp is working properly.
W4-A DANIAMANT
- automatic with LEDs, lithium-ion battery
- Light output: 0.75 cd
- Autonomy in flash emission: 8 h
- Weight: 42 g
- Public sale price: 14.90 euros
Danish made, this ultra-resistant and compact lamp can be switched off manually in the event of accidental activation. It has a life span of 5 years.
Aquaspec AQ 40L OCEAN SAFETY
- automatic LED, lithium battery
- Light output: 2.5 cd
- Autonomy in flash emission: 40 h
- Weight: 39 g
- Public sale price: 19.90 euros
The model proposed by Ocean Safety is above the requirements of the standard (lighting power: 2.5 cd instead of the 0.75 required and operation for a minimum of 40 hours instead of 8).
LED Lume-On SPINLOCK lamp
- Automatic with LEDs
- Only flash light to stick on the underside of the lung of the vest
- Autonomy in flash emission: 8 h
- Public sale price: 19.90 euros
This ultra-compact, lightweight flash light sticks under the lung of the automatic lifejacket and its LED light beam reverberates throughout the lung, making man overboard much more visible.
Firefly pro ACR
- Automatic or manual, with LEDs
- 3 operating modes: SOS, Strobe and continuous
- Autonomy in flash emission: 56 h
- Light output: 4.3 cd
- Public sale price: 86.90 euros
The Firefly Pro Waterbug is a SOLAS-standard strobe with a built-in water activation function that automatically engages when submerged. With 4 activation functions, you can switch from "armed" mode for automatic activation upon contact with water, to ultra-bright strobe mode or SOS mode to draw the attention of rescue personnel to your position, and then switch to Steady On mode for nearby rescue operations.
Pylon LED SPINLOCK
- Automatic with LEDs
- Autonomy in flash emission: 10 h
- Public sale price: 49.90 euros
Once your vest is inflated, it stands up at the end of a rod to be visible at 360° for 10 hours. Fixed in the vest and very light, it does not affect the comfort of the vest.
How do I service and maintain my flash light?
Models with built-in battery should be discarded after the expiry date of the battery, as the battery is not replaceable. Recycling must be carried out in accordance with the rules in force. During the 5 years of storage, it is recommended to test the lamp from time to time.
Battery powered models should be checked every 6 months, as conventional batteries do not perform well in marine environments.
It is imperative that an automatic lamp is not stored in damp places to avoid accidental switching on.
Cyalume and Aquaspec stand out from the crowd
The Cyalume stick is a simple and inexpensive solution to comply with Division 240 obligations. Usable for other applications (mooring, engine bilge lighting...), it is undoubtedly the cheapest and most reliable equipment to ensure its safety.
For an offshore program, the Aquaspec AQ 40 L offers a better quality/power/price ratio than other models in its category.
