B777-300
Maintenance Powerplant; Maintenance Airframe
Communication Breakdown; Confusion
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Maintenance; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Other / Unknown
General Flight Cancelled / Delayed; General Maintenance Action
Procedure; Company Policy; Aircraft
A log page was created at departure time about life vests found on the aircraft galley counter.After speaking to the inflight crew; they had found 2 life vests on the mid galley counter. 1 still had the pull strap attached; so it would not be part of the spare kit.I consulted my supervisor; who then consulted Maintenance Control. The passengers would have to come off the aircraft to allow us to perform an inspection to determine which seat/seats were missing life vests. My supervisor spoke to the Captain along with the Purser; they were in agreement.The purser was about to make the announcement to the passengers; only to be interrupted by an Inflight Supervisor to tell the purser to stop.My supervisor announced himself and the situation to the Inflight manager. The manager then stated that social media determined this to be unacceptable; the passengers will check for the missing life vests; we are not taking them off.My supervisor demanded the passengers off the aircraft so maintenance can perform the necessary inspections. The Captain was in agreement and the passengers were then deplaning.My shift ended so I had to leave; I do not know the outcome of this.Having the passengers perform a safety inspection is unethical and possibly illegal. The life vest pouches are sealed; and this is a safety risk as well. For as long as I have worked for the company; I have never had been ordered to perform maintenance in this type of manner. How can a social media team order aircraft maintenance?
Technician reported that two life vests were found in the aircraft galley during boarding and resulted in a flight delay so that an inspection can be performed.