Frequently asked questions

SOLAS is the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, and its Life-Saving Appliance (LSA) Code sets the performance a life jacket must reach on a ship that falls under the convention; a type approval against it is issued by a flag administration or an organisation it recognises, such as the Indian Register of Shipping. EN ISO 12402 is the international standard many fishing vessels, small craft and inland vessels buy against instead, which is a legitimate choice for the water they work. What matters is that the jacket matches what the vessel’s survey or licence requires. Our guide SOLAS or not sets out the terms.

The MMLJ, MM’s yoke-type life jacket, is listed at 240 N, PFD Type I, for users up to 140 kg, and names IRS type approval and the SOLAS LSA Code, as stated by MM Techno Plast. The Sigma vest-type jacket, for users up to 140 kg, also names IRS type approval and the SOLAS LSA Code, as stated by MM. The child-sized MMLJC is listed at 90 N, PFD Type I, against BS EN ISO 12402:2020.

A newton is a unit of force, and 10 N of buoyancy holds up roughly one kilogram in water, so a 150 N jacket gives about 15 kg of lift and a 240 N jacket about 24 kg. A body is almost neutrally buoyant, so that lift is what holds the airway clear of the water and supports wet clothing. MM lists jackets from 50 N (the Sea Master Junior and Infant sizes) to 240 N (the MMLJ); see buoyancy in newtons explained.

A personal flotation device (PFD) type describes what the jacket is designed to do; Type I, the offshore class, is designed to turn most unconscious wearers face-up. MM lists every jacket with its type, and PFD types explained sets out what each type means.

A work vest is worn all day on or near the water and is cut for movement, so it carries less buoyancy than an offshore life jacket; neither of MM’s work vests, the MMWV and the MMWVCG, is designed to turn an unconscious wearer face-up. See work vest or life jacket.

MM lists most jackets as adult universal with a maximum user weight, up to 140 kg on the MMLJ, and the MMLJC as a child size for users up to 43 kg. Life jacket sizes by weight sets out every model by user weight and buoyancy.

The LSA Code requires a SOLAS life jacket to be fitted with a whistle and a light. MM lists the MMLJW whistle, which sounds either way up and in air immediately after immersion, and the MMLJL water-activated LED life jacket light at 0.75 cd with an 8-hour lithium battery, both as separate products; the light is listed as an optional accessory on the jackets. Say which jackets need them fitted when you request a quote.

The inspection interval is set by the vessel’s flag, survey or licence, not by the supplier, so we do not publish one figure for every fleet. For what to check on each jacket and when to replace it, see how long a life jacket lasts.

Weight. Both rings are listed at 720 mm across, 420 mm inside, 100 mm deep, with 180 N of buoyancy and a 30 m drop height; the MMLB 2.5 weighs 2.8 kg and the MMLB 4 weighs 4.0 kg. The LSA Code’s minimum masses, which decide where each ring goes on a vessel, are set out in the lifebuoy ring specification post.

The MMLBL lifebuoy light is a water-activated LED light in a plastic body that comes on by itself on contact with water and pops up above the surface. MM lists a lithium battery good for 8 hours, a luminous intensity of 2 cd and 70 flashes per minute, with IRS type approval as per the SOLAS LSA Code as amended, as stated by MM. See lifebuoy ring specification for the lights and lines that go with a ring.

A buoyant lifeline is the floating rope attached to a lifebuoy so it can be thrown to a person in the water and pulled back. MM lists the MMBLL25 and MMBLL30 in 25 m and 30 m lengths, polypropylene filament rope of 8 mm diameter in orange or yellow, with a nylon handle strap and a minimum breaking strength of 6 kN, against the MED as stated by MM. The length is set by the vessel’s survey.

It means the approval is one MM Techno Plast declares for the product, as printed in MM’s catalogue. If your tender or vessel needs a particular approval, name it in your enquiry.

The Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) is an organisation recognised by the Directorate General of Shipping, India, to type-approve life-saving appliances against the SOLAS LSA Code.

The Marine Equipment Directive, Directive 2014/90/EU, is the European Union’s rule for equipment carried on EU-flagged ships; equipment approved under it carries the wheelmark. Where MM lists a product against the MED, the approval is as stated by MM Techno Plast.

As stated by MM, buoyancy, drop, strength and material checks are carried out at Valiv before despatch, and products are additionally tested at an Indian Government approved laboratory.

Each MM navigation light is listed in two models, suffixed 12 and 20, for vessels under 12 m and under 20 m, because the COLREGs set the visibility range of each light by the length of the vessel. Both series come in a black or white housing and in an LED series, with a shatter-proof acrylic lens, non-magnetic stainless steel contacts and a 12 V / 24 V supply. See navigation lights for 12 m and 20 m boats.

MM lists the CH01 and CH02 safety helmets in seven colours, red, blue, yellow, white, orange, green and grey, with or without ventilation. Which colour goes to which wearer is set out in the safety helmet colour code.

ABS fishnet floats with two eyelets are listed from 5″ to 12″ in virgin and regular (eco) grades, and globe floats with top and bottom eyelets from 8″ to 16″ in virgin and regular (eco) grades. Choosing fishnet floats sets out each size and grade.

Send the model numbers, quantities, sizes and destination through the quote form, by email to sales@mmtechnoplast.com, or on WhatsApp at +91 98205 73331. We reply during office hours, Monday to Saturday, 10:00 to 18:00 IST.

Yes. MM Techno Plast states a GeM (Government e Marketplace) registration. Our GeM procurement guide sets out what to put in a specification so offers can be compared by the figures.

MM Techno Plast states that it supplies buyers outside India. Tell us the destination country and port with your enquiry and we will quote accordingly.

Yes. See OEM and contract moulding for what to send.

MM Techno Plast is at Unit No. 1, 2 and 3, S.K. Industrial Park, Valiv, Vasai (East) 401208, Maharashtra, with a sales office at No. 427, Katha Bazar, Mumbai 400009. Office hours are Monday to Saturday, 10:00 to 18:00 IST. Contact us to arrange a visit.