Life raft

A life raft is an essential collective lifesaving appliance engineered to preserve human life when abandoning a vessel during catastrophic hull compromise, fire, or sinking. Unlike a standard inflatable tender or open lifeboat, a marine life raft is packed under pressure inside a rigid fiberglass canister or weather-resistant valise. It features a self-deploying high-visibility canopy, dual independent buoyancy chambers, an insulated floor to mitigate hypothermia, and weighted water ballast pockets (typically 200 to 400 liters total capacity) beneath the hull to prevent capsizing in severe wave action.

Inflation is triggered automatically when the painter line (usually 15 meters or longer) is pulled, activating a high-pressure compressed gas cylinder containing a carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrogen (N2) mixture. Modern life rafts adhere to ISO 9650-1 (offshore) or ISO 9650-2 (coastal) standards, or SOLAS requirements for commercial and oceanic voyages, incorporating emergency survival packs (Pack A or Pack B) containing distress flares, drinking water, and first-aid kits. A hydrostatic release unit (HRU) allows the raft to float free and inflate automatically if the vessel sinks to a depth of 1.5 to 4.0 meters. Proper skipper training, certified via recognized skipper certificates, ensures correct mounting and emergency deployment procedures. Including essential items like EPIRBs alongside standard yacht equipment kits greatly increases the probability of rapid search-and-rescue response. Mandatory inspection and recertification must occur every 1 to 3 years at licensed service stations.