A life vest stowage device (1) comprises a receptacle (2) for stowing a life vest (3). The receptacle (2) has an opening (4) through which the life vest (3) is inserted into and removed from the receptacle (2). A closure is provided, by which the opening (4) can be opened and closed. The closure comprises a tongue (5) on a first side of the opening (4). The tongue (5) is arranged such that it can be folded across the opening (4) to obstruct the opening (4). On a second side of the opening (4), opposite to the first side of the opening (4), there is provided a pocket (6). The pocket (6) is arranged so that the tongue (5) can be inserted into the pocket (6) when the tongue is folded to obstruct the opening (4). With the tongue (5) folded to obstruct the opening (4) and inserted in the pocket (6), first and second strips (7, 16) of a second material are aligned with one another and can be squeezed together so that the closure is substantially flat. This ensures that the tongue (5) is secured in the pocket (6) by a hook and loop fastener and allows a security seal (17) to be applied to the closure.