📢 STORAGE UNITS AVAILABLE FOR RENT 📢 Click here for more information
11 March 2026
Lady Bee Chandlery joined forces with the Shoreham Harbour RNLI Water Safety Team on the 8th of March to host a free lifejacket clinic, and the results were a timely wake-up call for anyone who spends time on the water. RNLI experts checked 38 lifejackets in total, offering hands-on guidance about choosing the right jacket for the job, spotting signs of wear and tear, and keeping equipment properly maintained and stored.
“It was great to host the event for the second year, working closely with RNLI to help support and educate people about the importance of keeping their own Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) up to date and fully serviceable,” said Lynzi Mulford, Assistant Marina Manager at the Lady Bee Chandlery.
“Some of the flares returned were dating back to 1993,” said Mulford, “it was good to take them out of circulation and get them disposed of safely. Safety equipment is exceptionally important, and you hope that you never have to use it, but if you do it’s good to know it will work when you need it.”
The findings underscored just how easy it is for critical safety gear to fall into disrepair:
• 11 lifejackets were in full serviceable condition and ready to use.
• 21 lifejackets needed new firing heads and/or gas canisters before they could be relied upon.
• 6 lifejackets were too old or too far gone to be made serviceable again.
Alongside the lifejacket checks, Lady Bee Chandlery also ran a flare amnesty, safely collecting 80 out-of-date flares. Expired flares are not only ineffective in an emergency and they can be a legal liability too.
Boaters should check expiry dates regularly and drop off out-of-date flares at any chandlery or marina offering a safe disposal service. The event was a reminder that life-saving equipment only works when it’s in good working order. A few minutes checking your lifejacket today could make all the difference tomorrow
