An Overview of Life Rafts

Life rafts are inflatable devices that are designed to provide flotation and environmental protection for a small number of persons for a short period of time. The life rafts that West Marine sells have capacities from 2–12 persons.

Reasons to Have a Life Raft

Since boats can and occasionally do sink, boaters need ways to stay afloat until they can be rescued. For inland boaters, this may require life jackets or an inflatable dinghy. Boaters that operate on larger bodies of water, especially when the water is cold, need greater amounts of protection.

Types of Life Rafts

There are four basic types of life rafts: Rescue platforms, coastal life rafts, offshore life rafts and USCG and SOLAS life rafts designed for extreme conditions.

Can a hard dinghy be used as a “life boat”?

In choppy water or under heavy seas, hard dinghies are very unstable and provide no protection against the elements. This is why we suggest that coastal and offshore boaters strongly consider purchase of a life raft.

How Life Rafts Come Packed: Canister versus Valise

Life rafts come packed in either a flexible fabric valise or a rigid fiberglass or plastic canister. Canisters can be mounted on deck where they will get wet, while valise rafts must be protected from water and stored in a dry location.

Are Life Rafts Required?

Life rafts are not required for non-commercial vessels, although offshore sail and power boat races may require them. We strongly suggest that offshore cruisers and coastal boaters, who may find themselves outside the range of immediate rescue, consider the purchase of a life raft.

What do life rafts include?

All life rafts come equipped with a small amount of survival gear, usually including flashlights, bailers, paddles, drogues, seasickness remedies, a limited amount of water, etc. However, certain important pieces of survival gear, such as EPIRBs, a water maker and lots of flares are not included. These must be brought on board the raft from the mother vessel.

Periodic Life Raft Inspections

Finally, all life rafts should be inspected and repacked at periodic intervals to insure that they are ready for use if necessary. The inspection and repacking must be done at an authorized facility. We suggest you determine the cost of this process before you purchase your raft.

Brands of Life Rafts Offered by West Marine

West Marine offers life rafts from several manufacturers, including Jim Buoy, Plastimo, Revere Survival and Viking Liferafts.