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Choosing a Liferaft While there are international standards for liferafts used on commercial shipping, currently there are none applying to leisure liferafts. There are a number of essential points to consider when selecting a liferaft.  Two Compartment Buoyancy Chambers – allows one chamber to be damaged without  compromising the buoyancy of the raft. Canopy – protects the crew from the elements, reduces risk of exposure, and improves the chances of the raft avoiding total inversion if capsized by a wave or inflating upside down. Inflatable Floor – offers improved insulation against the cold. Sea Anchor - offers relative stability to the raft in the sea. Boarding Aid – offers essential assistance to fully clothed person attempting to enter a liferaft from the water.Liferafts require regular servicing by trained personnel, at intervals laid down by their manufacturer, these should always be adhered to. Liferafts should be stowed on board in a location from where they can be rapidly deployed, either on deck or in a locker opening directly onto the deck. If stowed on deck it should be able to withstand heavy weather. All liferafts rely on attachment of their painter to a suitable strong point on board in order to initiate the inflation procedure.  |
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