A liferaft is a vessel made of air chambers and capable of supporting a number of people in case of accidents. It is carried on deck and must be light enough to be handled without mechanical aids. It is stored in a rigid protective frame and fitted with a non-noxious compressed gas automatic inflation system. This device must satisfy SOLAS regulations. For example, it must be stable in the water and be capable of surviving an 18-m drop without suffering damage. The protective frame with the life raft inside must float.
A liferaft is used only when it becomes necessary to abandon ship. There exist different models of liferaft, but all meet minimum SOLAS standards. Usually liferafts are used by crew members rather than passengers, as they are less comfortable than lifeboats.
Enclosed in a protective frame, a liferaft is fitted with a non-noxious compressed gas unit capable of automatically inflating the craft in less than three minutes (usually less). Attachment to the vessel must include a hydrostatic release system that frees the liferaft automatically, even if the vessel sinks.
Size, capacity and shape are the primary criteria for choosing an appropriate model.
