What Is a Liferaft?

What Is a Liferaft? — Everything You Need to Know

A liferaft is your last resort. It is the equipment you deploy when the vessel is no longer survivable — when the fire cannot be controlled, when the flooding cannot be stopped, when you have done everything you can and the only remaining option is to get off the boat.

I have worked offshore on vessels that carry liferafts as mandatory equipment. I have completed liferaft drills as part of BOSIET and STCW training. I have never had to use one in a real emergency — and the entire point of understanding this equipment properly is to make sure that if you ever do, you know exactly what you are dealing with.

What Is a Liferaft?

A liferaft is an inflatable survival craft designed to keep people alive in the water after abandoning a vessel. Unlike a rigid lifeboat, a liferaft is stored compactly — either in a valise bag or a hard canister — and inflates automatically when deployed into the water via a CO2 inflation system triggered by pulling the painter line.

A modern recreational liferaft inflates in approximately 30 to 60 seconds. It provides a sheltered, insulated platform above the waterline that protects occupants from cold water immersion, wind, spray, and exposure — significantly extending survival time while awaiting rescue compared to being in the water.

What Does a Liferaft Contain?

The contents of a liferaft depend on the pack standard it is built to. Most recreational liferafts come with an ORC pack — the Ocean Racing Committee equipment standard — which includes the essentials for short-term survival:

Drogue — a sea anchor that slows the raft’s drift and keeps it stable.
Bailer and sponges — for removing water from the raft floor.
Bellows hand pump — for maintaining inflation pressure.
Floating knife — for cutting the painter line if needed.
Whistle and signalling mirror.
Automatic light — water-activated, to aid location at night.
Rain water collection system — for fresh water collection.

Higher-specification SOLAS packs include additional equipment such as flares, first aid, food rations, and fishing equipment. Always check the specific pack contents of any liferaft you purchase.

Valise vs Canister — What Is the Difference?

Valise — a soft bag that stores the liferaft in a compact, portable format. Easier to move around the vessel, can be taken into a life raft bag alongside the grab bag. The Ocean Safety Ocean Standard is available in valise format. A valise liferaft cannot be fitted with a hydrostatic release system — it must be manually deployed.

Canister — a hard fibreglass or plastic container that mounts on deck in a cradle. Can be fitted with a hydrostatic release unit that deploys the liferaft automatically if the vessel sinks while no one can reach it. The recommended choice for serious offshore passage-making.

For coastal day sailing and recreational boating where someone will always be able to deploy the raft manually — a valise is practical and significantly more affordable. For offshore passages where automatic deployment is a genuine safety benefit — a canister with HRU is the better choice.

Do You Actually Need a Liferaft?

For recreational vessels under 13.7 metres in UK coastal waters — there is no statutory legal requirement to carry a liferaft. For commercial vessels, SOLAS requirements specify liferaft carriage based on vessel type and area of operation.

Not being legally required is not the same as not being needed. The honest answer on whether you need one depends on where you sail:

Day sailing in sheltered coastal waters close to shore — a liferaft is not essential but is still sensible. A quality liferaft for a 4-person vessel costs less than most electronic navigation equipment.

Coastal passages out of sight of land or overnight — a liferaft should be on board. If the vessel sinks or becomes uninhabitable, you need somewhere to go.

Any offshore passage — a liferaft is non-negotiable. Full stop.

How to Deploy a Liferaft

In an emergency the deployment sequence is:

1. Remove the liferaft from its stowage and carry or pass it to the leeward side of the vessel.
2. Attach the painter line — the rope connecting the raft to the vessel — to a strong point on deck.
3. Deploy the liferaft over the side into the water.
4. Pull the painter line firmly — a sharp tug of 40kg or more triggers the CO2 inflation.
5. Allow the raft to inflate fully — 30 to 60 seconds.
6. Board the raft. If possible, board without entering the water — step directly in. If you must enter the water, the liferaft’s boarding ramp makes re-entry from the water possible.
7. Once all persons are aboard, cut the painter line with the floating knife.
8. Activate your EPIRB and PLB.
9. Deploy the drogue to stabilise the raft.

Never abandon the vessel until you have to. A vessel — even a damaged one — is significantly easier to locate than a liferaft and provides more shelter and stability. The rule is step up into the liferaft not step down.

Liferaft Servicing — Non-Negotiable

A liferaft must be serviced annually at a manufacturer-approved service centre. The service checks the inflation system, the CO2 cylinder, the fabric integrity, the survival pack contents, and all other components. An unserviced liferaft may fail to inflate correctly — or at all — in an emergency.

The hydrostatic release unit on a canister liferaft has its own separate expiry date. Check it. The HRU and the liferaft service date are often different and both must be current for the system to function correctly.

Our Recommended Liferaft — Ocean Safety Ocean Standard

For recreational sailors and coastal boaters looking for a quality entry-level liferaft from a trusted UK manufacturer — the Ocean Safety Ocean Standard is the honest recommendation.

Ocean Safety are a UK-based company with over 30 years of experience manufacturing marine safety equipment. Their liferafts are used by the Ministry of Defence and trusted by commercial and recreational mariners across the UK. The Ocean Standard is their entry-level recreational model — practical, well-made, and built to the quality standards the Ocean Safety name represents.

Which Size Do You Need?

Always buy for your maximum possible crew — not your typical crew. If your vessel can carry six people, buy a six-person raft. A four-person raft with five people aboard is dangerously overloaded and the inflation may be compromised.

If you regularly sail single-handed or with one crew member but your vessel is rated for four — a four-person raft gives you adequate capacity with significant margin.

Where to Store the Liferaft

On deck in a bracket or cradle — accessible from the cockpit, not below decks. In an emergency you may have very little time to reach the liferaft. Every second spent retrieving it from below decks is a second you do not have.

For canister liferafts — mount in the dedicated cradle with the HRU correctly installed. For valise liferafts — store in a deck bag or locker that can be opened quickly and the raft lifted out without obstruction.

FAQs

How long does a liferaft last?
With annual servicing a quality liferaft should remain serviceable for 10 to 15 years. Always follow the manufacturer’s guidance on service life and replacement intervals.

Can a liferaft be used in rough weather?
Yes — liferafts are designed for use in severe conditions. The drogue and ballast pockets provide stability in rough seas. The canopy protects occupants from wind and spray. They are not comfortable in severe weather but they are survivable — which is the entire point.

What is the difference between a liferaft and a rescue dinghy?
A rescue dinghy is a rigid or semi-rigid craft with propulsion — a smaller manned vessel for search and rescue purposes. A liferaft is a passive inflatable survival platform with no propulsion — it drifts with the current and wind while occupants await rescue.

Should I buy a 4 or 6 person liferaft?
Buy for your maximum capacity. A 4-person raft for a vessel that typically carries two people with occasional crew of four. A 6-person raft for a vessel that may carry five or six. Never buy a raft with capacity less than the maximum number of persons your vessel might carry.

The information in this article is for general guidance only and does not constitute professional safety advice. Always consult current MCA, SOLAS, and HSE official documentation before making safety-critical decisions. Liferaft requirements vary by vessel type and area of operation — verify current requirements at gov.uk/mca. Always have your liferaft serviced annually at an approved service centre. marinesafetyguide.com participates in affiliate programmes including Amazon Associates and the Awin network including Gael Marine and may earn a small commission on purchases made through links on this site, at no extra cost to you.