Liferafts

[PetiteFleur]

Reminds me of when we bought our boat with a liferaft. It had been used as a sail training boat soon after it was new in 1979. It was an unknown manufacturer so we took to our local service company who was dubious about it so we inflated it in the yard. It did inflate well but the seams were coming apart - you could slowly peel them off so it was slashed and scrapped. Interestingly it took a really hard couple of yanks to get it to inflate! Rather like the the flares of years ago which you had to bang onto a hard surface - which is impossible in a rubber dinghy and in fact my wife couldn't do it on a hard surface.

 

[Devon Boy]

Nope any ISO rated raft.

My Seago iso liferaft is 3 years up to 12 years then annually thereafter.The same applied to my last one which was an Ocean one. I researched other makes which were similar.
I think that you need to check your statement & clarify exactly which standard you are quoting - ie commercial, charter, domestic etc & also which manufacturer
Your claim is highly misleading & just puts false info out there, which may adversely affect someone's decision whether or not to buy

Universal Safety now state that ISO rafts be serviced in line with the normal 3 year service interval as long as it is in a container. So it seems they have harmonised the standards - hope this clarifies

“All commercial ISO rafts in containers can now be serviced every three years. Typically the cylinder needs attention every 10 years. ”

 

[Refueler]

Universal Safety now state that ISO rafts be serviced in line with the normal 3 year service interval as long as it is in a container. So it seems they have harmonised the standards - hope this clarifies

“All commercial ISO rafts in containers can now be serviced every three years. Typically the cylinder needs attention every 10 years. ”

Suggest you go online and check individual manufacturers guidelines and manuals on L/R and their servcing. To apply one version to all is not correct.

Second - I would suggest that most yotties opt for soft valise rather than hard case container - further weakening your stance. A question of weight and stowage.

 

[Kelpie]

I would suggest that most yotties opt for soft valise rather than hard case container - further weakening your stance. A question of weight and stowage.

That would surprise me. Most yachts I see have a canister LR. Maybe time for a poll?

 

[Devon Boy]

Suggest you go online and check individual manufacturers guidelines and manuals on L/R and their servcing. To apply one version to all is not correct.

Second - I would suggest that most yotties opt for soft valise rather than hard case container - further weakening your stance. A question of weight and stowage.

That is nothing to do with manufacturer its in reference to the MCA SCV Code...

 

[Daydream believer]

That would surprise me. Most yachts I see have a canister LR. Maybe time for a poll?

Well you would not see the soft valise would you. It would not normally be exposed on deck as it would be kept below

 

[Daydream believer]

That is nothing to do with manufacturer its in reference to the MCA SCV Code...

Once again you need to consider the use. That code is for commercial users.
Furthermore, the code does not preclude the manufacturer from requiring more stringent testing. Bit like the 40MPH speed limit. You are perfectly entitled to travel at 30MPH, but not 45MPH
Refueler is perfectly correct if the use is domestic & may well be relevant for other situations.

 

[Kelpie]

Well you would not see the soft valise would you. It would not normally be exposed on deck as it would be kept below

Of course. But as I said, the majority of yachts I see have a canister liferaft.
The ones without any visible LR may have a valise, or none at all.

 

[Refueler]

That is nothing to do with manufacturer its in reference to the MCA SCV Code...

Like many other factors in life - a MINIMUM standard applied .... which is a BASELINE that Manufacturers must meet and any responsible manufacturer exceeds - as we see when checking their service guidelines ....

When you present your aged L/R to service centre and they decline to service based on Manufacturers guidelines - be sure to mention your 'code reference'. They still wont service it ... but might make you feel better ....

 

[Refueler]

Of course. But as I said, the majority of yachts I see have a canister liferaft.
The ones without any visible LR may have a valise, or none at all.

Of course - because a Canister Lr is not so easy to lift and stow ... its more likely to be fixed to a cradle with Hydro release ... as its built to withstand all weathers ... unlike a Valise version which as DB says - is often stowed out of way ....

 

[Tranona]

Like many other factors in life - a MINIMUM standard applied .... which is a BASELINE that Manufacturers must meet and any responsible manufacturer exceeds - as we see when checking their service guidelines ....

When you present your aged L/R to service centre and they decline to service based on Manufacturers guidelines - be sure to mention your 'code reference'. They still wont service it ... but might make you feel better ....

There is a clear distinction between service intervals set by the manufacturers and those set by regulations. The liferaft on my charter boat in Greece required annual service (or at least a certificate that said it had been serviced!) to get its annual charter licence. I believe French registered boats also require an annual service (at least they did in the past). There is nothing to stop other bodies such as registers or organisers/sanctioners of races for example setting their own rules.

 

[Refueler]

There is a clear distinction between service intervals set by the manufacturers and those set by regulations. The liferaft on my charter boat in Greece required annual service (or at least a certificate that said it had been serviced!) to get its annual charter licence. I believe French registered boats also require an annual service (at least they did in the past). There is nothing to stop other bodies such as registers or organisers/sanctioners of races for example setting their own rules.

Go back and see what I was replying to .....

That is nothing to do with manufacturer its in reference to the MCA SCV Code...

Not Greek or French regs.

 

[Gsailor]

No one has mentioned single man life rafts.

They are usual for pilots, but I bought two when I did a lot of single handing.

Large liferafts for single occupancy are not ideal.

I once knew a sailor with an 8 man life raft, but he only sailed single handed or with me as crew now and again - being in such a raft would have been a nightmare.

Single seat liferafts have insulated floors, spare pump, flashing light, close-able canopy, comfy seating arrangement, and small enough when packed to be about A4 size and 3 inches thick - so lightweight and easy to grab and use.

Then again I know pilots that fly over the sea and wear survival suits (unzipped) and rely upon them if the worst happens (with EPIRB and PLB etc). But they only fly over the bit of sea separating Cornwall from Isles of Scilly - not oceans.

 

[Refueler]

Gsailort makes the point about oversized L/R's ......

Its actually a very important point and one that was obvious to myself and others when we used one in real sea conditions. Its such that I would suggest to minimise the L/R size to match better the real average number of people who sail on a boat. If you have 1 or 2 more than usual - it will be cramped, but still better than an oversized L/R ... they really are awful to be in ....

 

[Gsailor]

There is a book of a real life situation that makes sad reading (I forget the title).

A young graduate was posted on a fishing vessel to check all catches were legitimate and recorded etc.

Boat foundered. 2 liferafts deployed.

Not equal occupancy. Skipper was not very good at preparing his crew for emergency situations (I will not name his nationality - it does not matter - his attitude was lax). He died, as did others in the rafts.

One raft was undermanned and flooded and no one had energy or will to bail - loss of life.

Graduate in other lifteraft lashed himself to upper tube and kept dry - he survived, others did not.

This was the Southern ocean.

A lot of detail about size of raft and work that should have been carried out to keep raft dry was included in text.

It was a somber read, but very educational.

 

[KAM]

If liferaft designers and manufacturers are doing their job properly the service life being quoted should be based on worst case environmental exposure. Possibly on deck in the tropics. If the raft is used in a temperate climate and possibly stored over winter it should have a significantly longer life. Having fixed service intervals without reference to how the raft is stored is nonsense. Obviously some users are restrained by national rules and manufacturers have a vested interest in increasing turnover.

 

[Sandy]

If liferaft designers and manufacturers are doing their job properly the service life being quoted should be based on worst case environmental exposure. Possibly on deck in the tropics. If the raft is used in a temperate climate and possibly stored over winter it should have a significantly longer life. Having fixed service intervals without reference to how the raft is stored is nonsense. Obviously some users are restrained by national rules and manufacturers have a vested interest in increasing turnover.

You may like to look at aircraft component service intervals where three variables come in to play: time, hours flown or number of landings. Meaning a component can have a usable life of X months, Y number of hours flown or Z number of landings - it is replaced when it crosses the first threshold.

No account for environmental factors.

 

[Kelpie]

Re raft size- it's common knowledge that you don't want one that's too big. And according to my sea survival instructor, rafts can carry double the rated number if necessary, not that you'd want to be in that position.
Prior to our Atlantic crossing we considered taking extra crew, which would have put us at five persons on board. So I emailed Viking, who are pretty well regarded, and this was their reply:

If you are traveling across the ocean with potentially 5 people I would recommend a 6 person raft rather than a 4 person as it gives the option of more space in the raft which is welcome as it can take some time to be rescued in the Atlantic .

These new rafts are much better than they were 20 years ago with less persons in the raft than the rated capacity – ie 4 or 5 persons in a 6 man raft is very stable due to the large water pockets underneath the raft .

 

[Gsailor]

Re raft size- it's common knowledge that you don't want one that's too big. And according to my sea survival instructor, rafts can carry double the stated number of necessary, not that you'd want to be in that position.
Prior to our Atlantic crossing we considered taking extra crew, which would have put your l us at five persons on board. So I emailed Viking, who are pretty well regarded, and this was their reply:

Interesting.

Whilst Viking are a good brand (as far as I know), I wonder if the difference in price between the larger raft and smaller raft influenced their statement (very cynical I know).

Have cut up a few liferafts to inspect bits and bobs, I found even the 4 men rafts had huge pockets underneath with lumps of lead in to keep the drogues open - no wonder life rafts are heavy.

I do not know, but would a crowded raft (if dry) offer more warmth?

Would a raft with space to spare (if stable) allow bumps and knocks?

In the book I read, the liferaft was not bailed out and the best survivor took to sitting on the tubes instead of the water soaked floor, so there could be room for 5 people in a 4 person raft perhaps - I do not know for sure of course.

 

[KAM]

You may like to look at aircraft component service intervals where three variables come in to play: time, hours flown or number of landings. Meaning a component can have a usable life of X months, Y number of hours flown or Z number of landings - it is replaced when it crosses the first threshold.

No account for environmental factors.

I think you'll find its more complicated than that.