Lifejacket with pockets

[tyce]

Due to a minor disaster today i need to replace my lifejacket, at the moment i have a McMurdo PLB hanging of the harness which results in it getting in the way and getting a fair few knocks.
So i was wondering if anyone has come across a lifejacket that has an integral pocket or something similar that the plb or a vhf could be stored in.
Also anyone have a recomendation for a good lifejacket there are so many its hard to choose.

 

[WilliamUK]

Have you considered carrying it between chest and shoulder like a personal 2-way radio? I'd have thought there'd be plenty of pouches meant for carrying a radio that'd attach to a lifejacket in a way that would suit a PLB.
That might give you more options than looking for jackets that come with a pocket.

 

[FishyInverness]

You could always try the Te Havs cruising jacket - Waterproof lightweight sailing jacket with an integral Automatic 150N Lifejacket - plenty of pockets....

 

[caiman]

This is a subject that is very dear to my heart.I've been searching for 3 years to try and find such a lifejacket.The closest I've come to it is a bouyancy aid with 4 pockets on the front which is what I use now.Bought from E Bay.If you PM me I'll dig out the supplier.Spinlock do an LJ with a small mesh pocket but that's not big enough for my need to hold-baccy,camera,HHVHF,miniflares,I Pod,keys on the way back ashore in the dinghy etc,etc.My theory is that if an LJ is made so that you would wear it afloat because it is a practical,usefull,comfy,warm boating garment,then it would be worn as a matter of choice.Being an LJ/bouancy aid is an added(in my mind essential) bonus.
Last Monday,our Lifeboat Station took delivery of the new RNLI LJ's designed by RNLI/Crewsaver-these have two usefull sized pockets.Spray hood,light,safety harness,crutch straps etc built in.Whether Crewsaver will now adapt the design for retail sale I don't know.Might be worth giving them a call?
Cheers
PS
(I won't scare you with the price !!)

 

[[70521]]

I tend to add things to the harness. The idea of a life jacket inflating and giving you a good punch with a radio does not excite me!

 

[grumpy_o_g]

I tend to add things to the harness. The idea of a life jacket inflating and giving you a good punch with a radio does not excite me!

Agreed. Stuff that was on the front is often hard to reach once the jacket's inflated too. Best solution I've seen is a bum bag/fanny pack/camera case round the waist and attached to the webbing.

 

[Coaster]

Have you looked at the Kru Sport Pro? We have two, each with a McMurdo PLB and a safety knife.

The mesh side elements effectively form 'tunnels'. The PLB goes into one and the knife into the other. Simple lanyards, flaked in, permanently attach PLB and knife.

When the lifejacket inflates it's easy to reach across, below the inflated bladder, and pull out the required item. Fortunately there's been no emergency use needed yet but we have tested the arrangement so far as we're able. It seems to work.

The items don't become displaced, when the lifejackets are worn and used normally. The PLBs do cause our arms, when tight to the body, to be pushed out slightly but we quickly became used to that.

This is an image of the lifejacket in question: