Life rafts and lifeboats are both essential safety equipment used on ships, boats, and aircraft to ensure the safety of passengers and crew in the event of an emergency or evacuation at sea. They serve as vital means of survival during distress situations when a vessel is sinking, on fire, or facing other hazards that require immediate evacuation.

1. Life Rafts:

   • A life raft is a small, inflatable, and buoyant vessel designed to hold a specific number of people during emergencies. It is typically made of durable, waterproof materials and is stowed aboard ships, aircraft, and offshore installations.
   • Life rafts are equipped with various safety features, such as automatic inflation systems or manual inflation mechanisms that allow them to inflate rapidly upon deployment.
   • They are often packed in compact containers and can be launched from their storage positions by various means, such as by a hydrostatic release unit or manual release.
   • Life rafts may be equipped with survival essentials, such as emergency rations, drinking water, first-aid kits, flares, and signaling devices, to sustain occupants until they are rescued.
   • Life rafts are typically used for short-term survival until rescue teams or other vessels can reach the distressed individuals. They are more commonly found on commercial ships and aircraft.

2. Lifeboats:

   • A lifeboat is a larger, more robust, and rigid vessel designed to carry a higher number of people during emergencies. It is usually constructed from materials like fiberglass or metal and is designed to withstand rough sea conditions.
   • Lifeboats are either carried on davits (cranes) or housed in designated positions on the ship’s deck, allowing them to be safely launched into the water even if the ship is tilting or in motion.
   • Unlike life rafts, lifeboats may have their own propulsion system, either engine-driven or manual (e.g., oars), which allows occupants to navigate to safety or approach rescue vessels independently.
   • Lifeboats are more suitable for longer-term survival situations and can offer better protection from harsh weather and sea conditions due to their rigid construction and enclosed design.
   • Lifeboats are commonly found on larger vessels like passenger ships, oil tankers, and cargo ships, where they are part of the mandatory safety equipment.

Our Inspections :

• 5-yearly inflation with liferaft’s own gas-cylinder
• Floor seam test for older liferafts
• 10% Overload test to be performed every 10 years
• Renewal of expired HRU’s, repair of polyester canisters, inspection of
  survival kits
• 5-yearly Load Test Life Boat
• Test Davit, Test Winch, Check Engine