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SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/boat-foam-waterlogged

A foam life jacket's padding is hard, waterlogged and oil-soaked. Is it still serviceable?

No. Replace it.

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  1. No, it must be replaced ✔
  2. Yes, if the straps still work
  3. Yes, if it still has its label

Why: Federal rules say buoyant foam that is hardened, compressed, waterlogged, oil-soaked or moldy makes a life jacket unserviceable. An unserviceable jacket doesn't count toward the legal requirement.

Huh, didn't know that: NASBLA says foam life jackets should be tested for wear and buoyancy at least once a year.

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Why did the old life jacket retire? It had lost its bounce.
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References

Answer: No, it must be replaced. Federal rules say buoyant foam that is hardened, compressed, waterlogged, oil-soaked or moldy makes a life jacket unserviceable. An unserviceable jacket doesn't count toward the legal requirement.

  1. NASBLA ESP TR 103-2022, Basic Boating Knowledge Core Plus Power technical report higherlogicdownload.s3.amazonaws.com/NASBLA/76594a34-f3a1-4916-95ac-1e9c872170cc/UploadedImages/education/national-education-standards/ESP_TR_ESP_103_Core_Plus_Power_2022_06_01FINAL.pdf
    Buoyant material that has become hardened, non-resilient, permanently compressed, waterlogged, oil-soaked, or which shows evidence of fungus or mildew
    Checked 2026-10-09.
  2. NASBLA ESP TR 103-2022, Basic Boating Knowledge Core Plus Power technical report higherlogicdownload.s3.amazonaws.com/NASBLA/76594a34-f3a1-4916-95ac-1e9c872170cc/UploadedImages/education/national-education-standards/ESP_TR_ESP_103_Core_Plus_Power_2022_06_01FINAL.pdf
    Foam filled life jackets should be tested for wear and buoyancy at least once a year.
    Checked 2026-10-09.

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