Marine
Life Rafts
By Capt. Dan Berg
Although most
recreational boats are small runabouts used for
fishing or water skiing in the bay. Anyone who
ventures offshore or who operates in remote
areas should be advised to invest in a
inflatable life raft. If your vessel were to
sink, either due to Mother Nature of mechanical
problem a life rafts could save literally save
your life. The first and major benefit is that
most rafts are mounted with pressure released
mounts. If the boat sinks the raft will
automatically deploy. Entering a raft save
mariners from hypothermia from. A body submerged
in water losses heat 25 times faster than in
air. The main benefit of a raft is to stay out
of the water until you can be rescued. Paired
with an EPIRB which also self deploys and
transmit your position and emergency situation
to the coast guard the raft becomes one of the
most important features aboard any vessel. Life
rafts come in two basic configurations offshore
or inshore. Choose the one that fits your type
of boating. The offshore units have double
flotation rings, a double floor and are equipped
with water, supplies, a paddle, mirror etc.
On this page you
will find a variety of links for Life Raft
manufacturers. Pick one, mount it properly so it
will float free and activate if the vessel sinks
and maintain it as with any other required
safety equipment. |