Panel concludes 16 lives lost last year might have been saved by lifejacket wear

Sixteen people’s lives might have been saved in 2020 if they had been wearing a lifejacket or buoyancy aid, according to findings from the Casualty Review Panel.

In 2020, 50 percent of the 32 cases reviewed by the panel concluded that a lifejacket could have saved a life.

This figure is slightly higher than the most recent figure of 11 lives (out of 22 fatalities) but is likely to reflect an increased incident count as a result of larger visitor numbers at our coasts last year.

The Casualty Review Panel, consisting of members from the MCA, Maritime Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB), RNLI, maritime industry, academia and sports governing bodies, meets once a year to discuss the circumstances surrounding fatal maritime incidents and makes a judgement about whether a lifejacket or buoyancy aid might have saved a person’s life.

According to the Panel, over the past 14 years, more than 200 lives could have been saved by wearing a lifejacket or buoyancy aid.

The findings come ahead of next week’s Maritime Safety Week, which aims to highlight ways in which people can stay safe at sea and along the coast and raise awareness of the dangers of the water.

Recommendations from the panel echo this year’s key safety messages:

  • Wear a lifejacket or buoyancy aid appropriate to your activity – it will greatly improve your chances of surviving the shock of entering cold water.
  • Check the weather and tides.
  • Carry a means of calling for help, a personal locator beacon, phone or radio.
  • Wear bright, colourful clothing that helps you to be seen in the water.

This year the panel mentioned that responsible alcohol consumption, in addition to lifejacket/buoyancy wear, is important in ensuring safety. It is also vital people wear a lifejacket correctly, that it is properly fitted, well maintained with a light, sprayhood and a crotch strap.


Further information:

  1. The Casualty Review Panel comprises representatives from: RNLI, Royal Yachting Association, Marine Accident Investigation Branch, Maritime and Coastguard Agency, National Water Safety Forum, British Canoe, the lifejacket industry, Scottish Fishermen’s Federation and University of Portsmouth.  
  2. The panel uses data supplied from Coastguard and MAIB databases and therefore covers mostly coastal incidents. 
  3. A tightly fastened crotch strap is important to ensure the lifejacket does not slip off when you fall in the water. 
  4. Some lifejackets have a facial sprayhood fitted, this can be brought over your face to shield you from sea spray and inhaling water.  

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