faqs liferafts

The capacity of the required liferaft must be the same or greater than the number of crew. For example, as there are no seven person liferafts available, a seven person crew requires an eight person liferaft. It is not acceptable to have a six person liferaft and a survival suit. A crew of twelve requires a twelve person liferaft or two (2) six person liferafts or a combination of a four and an eight person liferaft.

Use our handy service station map at this link here

Any request for extension on the service due date of a Liferaft certificate is dealt with by your relevant Flag Authority. For extended Service Interval Liferafts, MSC.1/Circ.1328 paragraph 4.1 clearly states that Liferafts approved and certified for extended service intervals pursuant to SOLAS regulation III/20.8.3 should be serviced at an OEM approved service station at intervals not exceeding 30 months. Classification on this point should be sought from Flag Authority.

Liferaft servicing can typically take 24 - 48 hours. If your time in Port is limited, our RaftXChange exchange programme is a great option to consider as a speedy alternative. This programme allows you to swap the Liferaft that is due for service with an identical one that has already been serviced and recertified (certificates for 12 or 30 months, depending on the liferaft type). This solution is available through both local and global Liferaft Rental programmes.

Yes. We have deployment instructions for each type of Liferaft. These are sent out with each new Liferaft, as well as additional copies being available on request.

The various lifed items integral to your liferaft will have varying due dates. The documentation detailing the due date for each lifed item is available by speaking to your local Survitec representative from Customer Services or your Survitec account manager, or checking your most recent re-inspection certificate.

Type Approval Module B EC Type Examination Certificate documents are supplied with each new Liferaft and also duplicates available on request from your Survitec representative from Customer Services or your Survitec account manager. Likewise Module D (Production Quality Assurance of the Council Directive 96/98/EC on marine Equipment)

The emergency pack will differ for SOLAS A or SOLAS B liferafts. As standard all emergency packs include:

• Buoyant rescue quoit
• Safety knife
• Bailers
• Sponges
• Sea anchors
• Buoyant paddles
• Whistle or equivalent
• Distress signals: 2 rocket parachute flares, 3 hand flares, 1 buoyant smoke signal
• Watertight electric flashlight
• Anti-seasickness medicine
• Signal mirror
• First aid kit
• Life-saving signals card
• Survival instructions
• Thermal protective aids
• Repair kit for punctures 
• Radar reflector

Additional items available in SOLAS A packs:

• Drinking water
• Food rations
• Graduated drinking cup
• Can opener
• Fishing kit
• Additional distress signals
• Extra thermal protective aids
• Survival instructions and lifesaving signal card