Best Liferafts UK
Best Liferafts UK — What to Buy and Why It Matters
A liferaft is the piece of equipment you hope you never use and absolutely must have when you do. It is not a purchase to make on price alone. It is not something to buy second-hand without a verified service history. And it is not something to store below decks where you cannot reach it in 30 seconds.
I have worked offshore on vessels where liferafts are mandatory, inspected, serviced, and drilled for regularly. I have completed liferaft sea survival training as part of BOSIET and STCW. Here is the honest guide to the best liferafts available in the UK right now and what you actually need to know before you buy.
Coastal vs Offshore — Which Do You Need?
Before looking at specific products, understand the distinction between coastal and offshore liferafts. It determines everything about what you buy.
Coastal liferaft — designed for use in sheltered or semi-sheltered coastal waters within relatively short distance of rescue. Built to the ISO 9650-2 standard or ORC specification. Lighter, more compact, lower cost. Designed for use in conditions where rescue can realistically be expected within 24 hours.
Offshore liferaft — built to the more demanding ISO 9650-1 standard. Designed for use in open ocean conditions, heavy weather, and extended survival scenarios. More robust construction, larger survival pack, designed to withstand the conditions you encounter far from shore.
For day sailing in coastal waters and short offshore passages within 60 miles of a safe haven — a coastal specification liferaft is appropriate. For any serious offshore passage, Atlantic crossing, or extended blue water sailing — an offshore specification liferaft is non-negotiable.
Valise vs Canister
Valise — a soft bag storing the packed liferaft. Portable, compact, lower cost than a canister version of the same raft. Must be manually deployed — cannot be fitted with a hydrostatic release unit. Suitable for vessels where someone will always be able to deploy it manually.
Canister — a hard fibreglass or GRP container mounted in a cradle on deck. Can be fitted with a Hydrostatic Release Unit that automatically deploys the raft if the vessel sinks while no one can reach it. The preferred choice for any serious offshore passage where automatic deployment is a genuine safety benefit.
For most recreational sailors doing coastal passages — a valise is practical and cost-effective. For offshore passages where you may be incapacitated, unconscious, or unable to reach the raft in time — a canister with HRU is the correct choice.
What Size Do You Need?
Always buy for your maximum possible crew — not your typical crew. A four-person raft with five people aboard is dangerously overloaded. A six-person raft with two regular crew gives you generous capacity and a survival margin.
If your vessel is rated to carry six people and typically sails with two — buy a six-person raft. You do not know who will be on board in every scenario.
Our Recommended Liferafts — Available from Gael Force Marine
Gael Force Marine stock both Ocean Safety and Crewsaver liferafts — two of the most trusted names in UK marine safety equipment. Both brands are used by professional mariners and recommended by the RYA. Here is our honest breakdown of the key models.
Ocean Safety Ocean Standard Liferaft
Best Entry Level Coastal Raft The Ocean Standard is Ocean Safety’s entry-level recreational liferaft and the most practical starting point for coastal and short offshore recreational boating. Built for non-coded craft, it delivers quality construction and a comprehensive ORC safety pack at an accessible price point.
ORC safety pack includes: pair of oars, red hand flares, bailer and 2 sponges, waterproof torch and whistle, lifesaving signal cards, floating knife, drogue, repair clamps, rescue quoit and 30-metre line, bellows hand pump. Availabile in 4-6 person sizes
Ocean Safety Ocean ISO-9650 Liferaft
The Ocean ISO 9650 Liferaft is compact and of superior design and construction.
This liferaft meets the requirements under current MCA Codes Of Practice, Class XII and ISAF offshore special regulations and was the first liferaft to be third-party verified by the RYA to ISO9650 Type 1 Group A requirements.
In order to be compliant with MCA code of practice requirements, you will need both the “Less than 24-hour pack” and the “Solas B top-up grab bag”. The raft is available with a “Less than 24-hour pack” as standard. Available in sizes 4-10 person.
What to Check When You Buy a Liferaft
Service history — any liferaft must have a current service record. A liferaft with no service history should not be purchased or relied upon regardless of how good it looks externally. The CO2 inflation cylinder, the fabric integrity, and the survival pack contents can only be verified by a professional service.
HRU expiry date — if the liferaft is in a canister with a hydrostatic release unit, the HRU has its own separate expiry date independent from the liferaft service date. Check both. An expired HRU means the automatic release will not function.
Capacity label — confirm the raft is the correct size for your vessel’s maximum crew complement.
Manufacturer warranty — Ocean Safety offer a 12-year warranty on the Ocean Standard. Crewsaver offer similar warranty terms. Always confirm the warranty position on any liferaft you purchase.
Where to Store It on Board
On deck — in a cradle or bracket accessible from the cockpit. Not below decks in a locker. Not under a pile of fenders. In an emergency, every second between deciding to abandon ship and having a deployed liferaft in the water matters.
The general rule: the liferaft should be reachable from the cockpit without going below decks, should release from its stowage in a single motion, and should be immediately adjacent to the painter line attachment point.
For valise liferafts — a dedicated liferaft bag clipped to the stern rail or pushpit is a common solution. For canister liferafts — a properly installed deck cradle with quick-release straps is the correct mounting.
Servicing — Non-Negotiable
A liferaft must be serviced annually at a manufacturer-approved service centre. The Ocean Standard has a 3-year service interval — one of the most practical service schedules in its class. The Crewsaver ISO Ocean requires annual servicing.
Servicing checks:
- CO2 cylinder weight and condition
- Fabric integrity and seam inspection
- Inflation valve function
- Survival pack contents — replacing expired items
- HRU condition and expiry date if applicable
- Repackaging to manufacturer specification
Do not skip servicing. An unserviced liferaft may fail to inflate or inflate incompletely in an emergency. The service cost is negligible compared to the function it protects.
FAQs
Is a liferaft legally required on a recreational yacht in the UK?
For recreational vessels under 13.7 metres in UK waters — no statutory requirement. For commercial vessels, SOLAS Chapter III specifies requirements based on vessel type, size, and area of operation. The MCA and RYA both strongly recommend liferafts for any offshore passage regardless of vessel size.
What is the difference between ORC pack and SOLAS pack?
An ORC pack contains the equipment specified by the Ocean Racing Committee — adequate for recreational coastal and offshore use. A SOLAS pack contains the more comprehensive equipment list required by the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea — mandatory for commercial vessels. SOLAS packs are more comprehensive and more expensive. For recreational use, ORC specification is appropriate for most passages.
How long does a liferaft last?
With annual or triennial servicing as specified by the manufacturer, a quality liferaft should remain serviceable for 10 to 15 years. Ocean Safety offer a 12-year manufacturer warranty on the Ocean Standard. Always follow the manufacturer’s guidance on service life and replacement.
Can I buy a second-hand liferaft?
Only if it comes with a verified, current service record from an approved service centre. A liferaft without documented service history is an unknown quantity in the most critical piece of safety equipment on your vessel. Not recommended.
What size liferaft do I need for a 4-person crew?
A 4-person liferaft at minimum. Many sailors choose the next size up — a 6-person for a typical 3 to 4 person crew — to provide additional stability, comfort, and a margin of safety if conditions are demanding.
The information in this article is for general guidance only and does not constitute professional safety advice. Always verify current liferaft requirements for your vessel type and area of operation at gov.uk/mca. Have your liferaft serviced at the intervals specified by the manufacturer at an approved service centre. marinesafetyguide.com participates in affiliate programmes including Amazon Associates and the Awin network including Gael Force Marine and may earn a small commission on purchases made through links on this site, at no extra cost to you.
