richardabeattie
Well-Known Member
If you are in anger with your wife a liferaft is certainly an option but which of you would take it?
I need a liferaft, but theyre too expensive
- Thread starter matnoo
- Start date
michael_w
Well-Known Member
Go and do a RYA Sea Survival course. Then make your mind up. The course is a real eye opener; it's a lot of fun too.
Personally, I think people who trust the survival of themselves and their families to a dinghy, half inflated or not, are bonkers.
A liferaft is emergency equipment, not safety equipment, a distinct difference.
Personally, I think people who trust the survival of themselves and their families to a dinghy, half inflated or not, are bonkers.
A liferaft is emergency equipment, not safety equipment, a distinct difference.
webcraft
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
I don't think there is any poiint in buying a cheapo liferaft, as with anything else, you get what you pay for
[/ QUOTE ] - The marine industry love people like you . . . that is why everything is so b***y expensive.
We have a 4 man Seago valise that cost under £500 and has a 3 year service interval. It is a good piece of kit - five guys survived five days in one in the Irish sea a year or so ago and the raft looked to be in perfect order when the prats finally got within mobile phone range of the coast and were rescued.
It would seem that the main reason the Seago is cheap is that it is not ISAF certified, so no-one had to pay for all the paperwork involved. A cheap liferaft and an EPIRB make a perfect combination IMHO as with an EPIRB you shouldn't have to spend too long in the raft. Our raft and EPIRB together cost under £800, and we considered the combination more than sufficient security for an Atlantic crossing, let alone a short offshore trip.
- Nick
I don't think there is any poiint in buying a cheapo liferaft, as with anything else, you get what you pay for
[/ QUOTE ] - The marine industry love people like you . . . that is why everything is so b***y expensive.
We have a 4 man Seago valise that cost under £500 and has a 3 year service interval. It is a good piece of kit - five guys survived five days in one in the Irish sea a year or so ago and the raft looked to be in perfect order when the prats finally got within mobile phone range of the coast and were rescued.
It would seem that the main reason the Seago is cheap is that it is not ISAF certified, so no-one had to pay for all the paperwork involved. A cheap liferaft and an EPIRB make a perfect combination IMHO as with an EPIRB you shouldn't have to spend too long in the raft. Our raft and EPIRB together cost under £800, and we considered the combination more than sufficient security for an Atlantic crossing, let alone a short offshore trip.
- Nick
Dave99
Well-Known Member
Re:cheap ones
All rafts are required to meet certain safety legislation.
All rafts are required to meet certain safety legislation.
bedouin
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
Personally, I think people who trust the survival of themselves and their families to a dinghy, half inflated or not, are bonkers.
[/ QUOTE ]
Ah - I love a good well reasoned debate don't you.
Better tell that to RYA and RORC then - neither of whom regard a liferaft as essential.
(BTW I do carry a liferaft)
Personally, I think people who trust the survival of themselves and their families to a dinghy, half inflated or not, are bonkers.
[/ QUOTE ]
Ah - I love a good well reasoned debate don't you.
Better tell that to RYA and RORC then - neither of whom regard a liferaft as essential.
(BTW I do carry a liferaft)
FWB
N/A
Would you rather go to sea in a boat which had a liferaft or in one which did not?
Koeketiene
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
With an EPIRB and the dinghy I reckon you would expect to be picked up within a couple of hours - without one it would probably be 24hrs before they even start looking.
[/ QUOTE ]
Well, this is going to be a real eye-opener for you.
With the number of false alarms, it IS going to be 24 hrs before they start looking for you. First action is always to try and contact the POC you put on your EPIRB registration form. Unless he/she picks up first time they ring and can confirm that you planned to be in the area the alarm went off it will take 18-24 hrs before anybody starts looking for you.
With an EPIRB and the dinghy I reckon you would expect to be picked up within a couple of hours - without one it would probably be 24hrs before they even start looking.
[/ QUOTE ]
Well, this is going to be a real eye-opener for you.
With the number of false alarms, it IS going to be 24 hrs before they start looking for you. First action is always to try and contact the POC you put on your EPIRB registration form. Unless he/she picks up first time they ring and can confirm that you planned to be in the area the alarm went off it will take 18-24 hrs before anybody starts looking for you.
bedouin
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
Well, this is going to be a real eye-opener for you.
With the number of false alarms, it IS going to be 24 hrs before they start looking for you. First action is always to try and contact the POC you put on your EPIRB registration form. Unless he/she picks up first time they ring and can confirm that you planned to be in the area the alarm went off it will take 18-24 hrs before anybody starts looking for you.
[/ QUOTE ]
Absolute nonsense - can you back that up with a single piece of evidence for that ridiculous statement? No - I thought not.
There is no way that MCA would wait 24hours before investigating a 406 EPIRB signal anywhere within reach of the lifeboats or coastguard helicopters
That sort of misinformed nonsense is potentially dangerous
Well, this is going to be a real eye-opener for you.
With the number of false alarms, it IS going to be 24 hrs before they start looking for you. First action is always to try and contact the POC you put on your EPIRB registration form. Unless he/she picks up first time they ring and can confirm that you planned to be in the area the alarm went off it will take 18-24 hrs before anybody starts looking for you.
[/ QUOTE ]
Absolute nonsense - can you back that up with a single piece of evidence for that ridiculous statement? No - I thought not.
There is no way that MCA would wait 24hours before investigating a 406 EPIRB signal anywhere within reach of the lifeboats or coastguard helicopters
That sort of misinformed nonsense is potentially dangerous
bedouin
Well-Known Member
If the choice were between a liferaft and a part inflated dinghy with EPIRB I'd take the EPIRB every time (coastal waters)
AlJones
Well-Known Member
Re: I need a life raft, but they\'re too expensive
matnoo,
I can highly recommend that you speak with Glen at SEMS
01268-534-427
They have been suppling life saving equipment for over thirty years now.
I have no commercial interest in this company, only that I believe that good service should be recommended! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
matnoo,
I can highly recommend that you speak with Glen at SEMS
01268-534-427
They have been suppling life saving equipment for over thirty years now.
I have no commercial interest in this company, only that I believe that good service should be recommended! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
A
Anonymous
Guest
"With the number of false alarms, it IS going to be 24 hrs before they start looking for you. First action is always to try and contact the POC you put on your EPIRB registration form. Unless he/she picks up first time they ring and can confirm that you planned to be in the area the alarm went off it will take 18-24 hrs before anybody starts looking for you. "
Can you support this? Where did you hear it?
Can you support this? Where did you hear it?
michael_w
Well-Known Member
If you check the RORC requirements for offshore races, you will find that a liferaft is mandatory.
Only the inshore stuff, ie: Red Funnel Easter Challenge is a liferaft not required.
ORC Special Regulations
Only the inshore stuff, ie: Red Funnel Easter Challenge is a liferaft not required.
ORC Special Regulations
Koeketiene
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
"With the number of false alarms, it IS going to be 24 hrs before they start looking for you. First action is always to try and contact the POC you put on your EPIRB registration form. Unless he/she picks up first time they ring and can confirm that you planned to be in the area the alarm went off it will take 18-24 hrs before anybody starts looking for you. "
Can you support this? Where did you hear it?
[/ QUOTE ]
If you had taken the time to check my bio you might deduce that I can quite possibly have been involved in quite a few real life SAR operations.
Over 93% of EPIRB alarms are false - even Sky dodyboxes can register as an EPIRB alarm - if you think that the MCA, CG, RNLI, RN & RAF have the manpower -or even the money - to investigate everything, instantly... think something else.
You may get quasi instant response in the Solent in summer, because the rescue services are out and about anway; but don't be too surprised if it can take "a while" in winter.
Whilst, for obvious reasons, non of the management suits will admit to this in the open it's something that people at the coalface will be able to confirm (off the record, of course).
That's why it's so important to:
1. Keep your shore POC informed about your movements
2. To lodge a passageplan with the CG whenever possible.
Programs like Seaside Rescue, whilst informing the general public at large about the sterling work of the rescue services, also give people a false sense of security. Everything's crammed into 30 minutes, creating the illusion of "instant help at hand". Whereas it may very well have - and in some cases has - taken several hours for help to arrive. And that's in the Channel - in summer.
So, the point I was trying to make before everyone got their knickers in a twist was that not carrying a liferaft is not a good idea. Inflatable is not an alternative for a liferaft.
If you can't-won't fork out the readdies for a liferaft you should seriously consider if you should be out on the water at all.
But then again, what do I know? I can only boast 23 years professional experience afloat.
"With the number of false alarms, it IS going to be 24 hrs before they start looking for you. First action is always to try and contact the POC you put on your EPIRB registration form. Unless he/she picks up first time they ring and can confirm that you planned to be in the area the alarm went off it will take 18-24 hrs before anybody starts looking for you. "
Can you support this? Where did you hear it?
[/ QUOTE ]
If you had taken the time to check my bio you might deduce that I can quite possibly have been involved in quite a few real life SAR operations.
Over 93% of EPIRB alarms are false - even Sky dodyboxes can register as an EPIRB alarm - if you think that the MCA, CG, RNLI, RN & RAF have the manpower -or even the money - to investigate everything, instantly... think something else.
You may get quasi instant response in the Solent in summer, because the rescue services are out and about anway; but don't be too surprised if it can take "a while" in winter.
Whilst, for obvious reasons, non of the management suits will admit to this in the open it's something that people at the coalface will be able to confirm (off the record, of course).
That's why it's so important to:
1. Keep your shore POC informed about your movements
2. To lodge a passageplan with the CG whenever possible.
Programs like Seaside Rescue, whilst informing the general public at large about the sterling work of the rescue services, also give people a false sense of security. Everything's crammed into 30 minutes, creating the illusion of "instant help at hand". Whereas it may very well have - and in some cases has - taken several hours for help to arrive. And that's in the Channel - in summer.
So, the point I was trying to make before everyone got their knickers in a twist was that not carrying a liferaft is not a good idea. Inflatable is not an alternative for a liferaft.
If you can't-won't fork out the readdies for a liferaft you should seriously consider if you should be out on the water at all.
But then again, what do I know? I can only boast 23 years professional experience afloat.
Solitaire
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
Unless he/she picks up first time they ring and can confirm that you planned to be in the area the alarm went off it will take 18-24 hrs before anybody starts looking for you.
[/ QUOTE ]
Who let you out? While something in the region of 75% of EPIRB alerts are "accidental" and depending on location, they may wait for the second pass of the satellite, although the Geostar satellites pick up (almost) straight away, there is no way the SAR services sit there and wait for you to answer a phone. Statements like yours are ill advised and dangerous.
This is an interesting site for more informed debate.
Unless he/she picks up first time they ring and can confirm that you planned to be in the area the alarm went off it will take 18-24 hrs before anybody starts looking for you.
[/ QUOTE ]
Who let you out? While something in the region of 75% of EPIRB alerts are "accidental" and depending on location, they may wait for the second pass of the satellite, although the Geostar satellites pick up (almost) straight away, there is no way the SAR services sit there and wait for you to answer a phone. Statements like yours are ill advised and dangerous.
This is an interesting site for more informed debate.
Solitaire
Well-Known Member
Perhaps if you had qualified your original post, the reaction might not have been so "agressive".Although I still take issue with your view that nothing will happen for 18-24 hours. Not everybody is perfect and while I agree that passage plans should be logged and POC's set up etc, it does not happen 100% of the time.
bendyone
Well-Known Member
Personally for my type of sailing I have always considered a half inflated dinghy and HH VHF to be OK. However now having a little more money I carry a Seago liferaft. It's down to what you can afford at the time. Nowadays a mobile in a waterproof case is a good extra to have.
alec
Well-Known Member
============================================================
Quote :
If you can't-won't fork out the readdies for a liferaft you should seriously consider if you should be out on the water at all.
============================================================
I love the arrogance..........................
Quote :
If you can't-won't fork out the readdies for a liferaft you should seriously consider if you should be out on the water at all.
============================================================
I love the arrogance..........................
Phoenix of Hamble
Well-Known Member
Hi Matnoo,
We stood in pretty much the same position last year....
We did in fact have a liferaft on board, but it was 30 years old, and 7yrs overdue a service, so we kind of assumed it was as good as not being there at all...
However, the conclusion we reached was that, with all the family on board, it was too much of a risk, and too much to lose, so we scrimped and saved and found a way of buying one... albeit a cheaper one...
We stood in pretty much the same position last year....
We did in fact have a liferaft on board, but it was 30 years old, and 7yrs overdue a service, so we kind of assumed it was as good as not being there at all...
However, the conclusion we reached was that, with all the family on board, it was too much of a risk, and too much to lose, so we scrimped and saved and found a way of buying one... albeit a cheaper one...
Pete7
Well-Known Member
Anyway back to liferafts,
[ QUOTE ]
If you can't get into an inflatable tender unaided, you ought to think hard about the boarding ease of a liferaft. Not everyone is as fit and agile as you'd like.
[/ QUOTE ] The 70 year old grandma who was on my sea survival course run by Warsash didn't have problem getting into the liferaft clothed and with an inflated lifejacket on.
As Dave said even cheap liferafts meet a high standard, buy a second hand one and have it serviced. You then have another option in the toolkit if it all goes pear shaped mid channel.
Pete
[ QUOTE ]
If you can't get into an inflatable tender unaided, you ought to think hard about the boarding ease of a liferaft. Not everyone is as fit and agile as you'd like.
[/ QUOTE ] The 70 year old grandma who was on my sea survival course run by Warsash didn't have problem getting into the liferaft clothed and with an inflated lifejacket on.
As Dave said even cheap liferafts meet a high standard, buy a second hand one and have it serviced. You then have another option in the toolkit if it all goes pear shaped mid channel.
Pete
Koeketiene
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
[No way the SAR services sit there and wait for you to answer a phone. Statements like yours are ill advised and dangerous.
[/ QUOTE ]
I don't know if any of you have (seen) the Ellen MacArthur DVD covering the early years. There's a feature on the Route de Rhum she won. At one time her EPIRB went off in the middle of the night. The first CG action was to phone her race HQ in Cowes the next morning. In the mean time no ships were diverted, no helecopters scrambled, etc...
Now, this was in the case of a high profile, well publicised race.
Point made, I think.
Some of you are now acting as if someone has taken your security blanket away. The truth may be uncomfortable, but you will have to face it sooner or latter. And the sooner the better.
I carry an EPIRB, and also a satphone. First number on speed-dial is MRCC Falmouth - because the first thing I'm doing if I ever have to activate my EPIRB is inform them that it's not a false alarm.
For channel crossings or coastal sailing an EPIRB is OTT - far better to spend your money on a DSC VHF. Even then; how many times have you heard a CG message on CH16: we received a DSC alert from position such and such, vessels are requested to keep a sharp look-out. In the mean time no helicopters are scrambled, no ships diverted, etc...
[No way the SAR services sit there and wait for you to answer a phone. Statements like yours are ill advised and dangerous.
[/ QUOTE ]
I don't know if any of you have (seen) the Ellen MacArthur DVD covering the early years. There's a feature on the Route de Rhum she won. At one time her EPIRB went off in the middle of the night. The first CG action was to phone her race HQ in Cowes the next morning. In the mean time no ships were diverted, no helecopters scrambled, etc...
Now, this was in the case of a high profile, well publicised race.
Point made, I think.
Some of you are now acting as if someone has taken your security blanket away. The truth may be uncomfortable, but you will have to face it sooner or latter. And the sooner the better.
I carry an EPIRB, and also a satphone. First number on speed-dial is MRCC Falmouth - because the first thing I'm doing if I ever have to activate my EPIRB is inform them that it's not a false alarm.
For channel crossings or coastal sailing an EPIRB is OTT - far better to spend your money on a DSC VHF. Even then; how many times have you heard a CG message on CH16: we received a DSC alert from position such and such, vessels are requested to keep a sharp look-out. In the mean time no helicopters are scrambled, no ships diverted, etc...
