SOLAS-MED Lifebuoys: Why −62°C Cold Testing Matters

A lifebuoy is the simplest piece of lifesaving equipment on board, yet its certification story is anything but simple. Sea Keepers supplies SOLAS-MED approved lifebuoys in 2.5 kg and 4.3 kg variants, tested at temperatures down to −62°C.

Cold testing matters because materials behave differently at extremes: foams can become brittle, shells can crack on impact, and retroreflective tape can delaminate. Certification to −62°C means the buoy will survive being deployed from a vessel trading in severe cold and warm-water routes alike.

The weight variants serve different functions — 2.5 kg buoys for general man-overboard stations, and 4.3 kg buoys where quick-release arrangements with self-igniting lights and smoke signals are required near the bridge wings.

Matching SOLAS-MED lifebuoy lights, tested to the same low-temperature standard, complete the station. Both are available through our lifesaving equipment catalogue with guidance on quantities per vessel length and class notation.