Life rafts are survival equipment provided as a life-saving appliance on every seagoing merchant or passenger ship, in addition to the lifeboats. Life rafts are much easier to launch than lifeboats. In emergencies, evacuation from the ship can be done without manually launching any of them, as the life rafts are designed with an auto-inflatable system. SOLAS Chapter III gives all the details for the types, and the number of life rafts to be carried according to the size and type of the ship. Where Are Liferafts Located On Ships? Life rafts are typically located on the muster station, on the port and starboard side near the lifeboat, and on the aft of the ship. The location generally depends on the size of the ship. Life rafts are stored in a fibreglass container, and a high-pressure gas inflates them during an emergency. A Hydrostatic Release Unit (HRU) is connected to the raft container and ship, which releases the raft even after the vessel sinks in water. The particulars of the raft are stencilled on the container, which includes the capacity, manufacturing date, servicing date, company name, etc., along with the launching procedure with a photogenic display for easy understanding. The raft already contains the essential survival items, including rations, pyrotechnics, life jackets, etc. Some ships carry a davit launching system allows the crew to inflate and board the raft on the deck, avoiding the risk of seawater entering. Important Solas Requirements For Life Rafts All liferaft provided on ships should be bestowed with its painter permanently attached to the vessel. Each liferaft or group of liferafts should be stowed with a float-free arrangement complying with the requirements so that each floats free. If it is an inflatable raft, it should inflate automatically when the ship sinks. Liferafts should be stowed to permit the manual release of one raft or container at a time from the securing arrangements. Davit-launched liferafts should be stowed within reach of the lifting hooks unless some transfer is provided, which is not rendered inoperable within the limits of trim and list as required or by ship motion or power failure. Liferafts intended for throw-overboard launching should be stowed to be readily transferable for launching on either side of the ship. Parts of Liferaft License this image. Contact us at [email protected] Servicing of Liferafts All liferafts shall be serviced: at intervals not exceeding 12 months (if impracticable, the administration may extend this period to 17 months) at proper service stations with proper servicing facilities and trained professionals Davit-launched liferaft automatic release hooks should be maintained following instructions for onboard maintenance Essential Requirements for Liferafts and Carrying Capacity The liferaft of any ship needs to follow the regulations mentioned in SOLAS. Some of the important points regarding liferafts are: The lift raft should be capable of withstanding exposure for 30 days afloat in all sea conditions When dropped into the water from a height of 18 metres, the life raft and all equipment in it will operate satisfactorily. The floating life raft should be capable of withstanding repeated jumps on it from a height of at least 4.5 metres above its floor, both with and without the canopy erected. It can be towed at 3 knots with its complete equipment, complement of persons and one anchor streaming. Canopy to provide insulation and protection against heat and col