AS SEEN IN THE JAN/FEB '07 ISSUE

The sun is shining, the birds are diving, reels are screaming and dinner is in the fish box! It’s one of those great days that we remember for a long time. Just as you and your crew are exchanging high-fives and preparing to head back to port from thirty miles offshore, tragedy strikes! A raging fire erupts in the galley, and you have no choice but to abandon ship. Just then, you think to yourself, “I should have bought that life raft!”

If you spend enough time offshore, you may very well find yourself in the same scenario, or worse, and at that time, you’d certainly agree that a life raft would have been well worth the small investment. Today, your only decision should be which life raft design meets your particular needs, as not all life rafts are created equal. Some offer distinct advantages that could make a major impact in a survival situation. Here are several key factors that must be considered prior to taking the plunge (no pun intended).

-Budget – Life rafts suitable for recreational use range in price from $1,000.00 to more than $5,000.00. Make sure that the life raft you intend on purchasing is vacuum-packed. This feature offers additional protection from the elements and requires service to the life raft just once every three years rather than annually. The long-term savings are substantial and definitely worth taking advantage of.

For budget conscious boat owners partaking on long distance expeditions who choose not to purchase a life raft, should, at the very least, rent the equipment.

-Weight – Life rafts can weigh less than 15 pounds and more than 120 pounds. The key advantage to the lighter weight rafts are that they are easier to transport and deploy at the time of need, though most ultra-light inflatable life rafts are only designed to accommodate two occupants for fairly short periods. With greater capacity life rafts suitable for six or more guests, you will pay a premium for the light weight feature, but at the time of necessity, the ease of use could play a large role in your survival.

-Boarding Mechanism – By far, the easiest method for boarding a life raft, in particular a double-tubed life raft, is via an inflatable boarding ramp. The ramp itself should be able to support your weight and allow you to slide effortlessly in to the raft. Remember, if you can’t get in the life raft, it can’t help save your life. Alternative boarding mechanisms available include rigid ramps and boarding ladders. These will work as well, but do require more effort and athleticism. The ladder, in particular, could swing underneath the life raft, making it a challenge for elderly or weak individuals to board the raft in the first place.

-Inflatable (Double) Floor – If you’re traveling and fishing in warm, tropical seas, it might not matter quite as much, but an inflatable floor is a useful comfort that protects occupants from hypothermia. It is definitely a nice feature to have, especially if you are waiting for search and rescue for hours or worse yet, days.

-Ballast Pockets – Insist on ballast pockets for your life raft! Ballast pockets should be fitted at each corner of your life raft and will fill with water once the raft is deployed. This will serve as a stabilization system for your life raft and ensure that you’re not bouncing around uncontrollably, especially if and when seas are rough!

-Equipment Pack – Once you’re in the life raft and safely out of the water, you need to have the provisions necessary to survive and to help Search & Rescue teams locate you. Signal mirrors are nice, but the ultimate signaling devices include an EPIRB (which you should have in an abandon ship bag*), and flares. There are several types of flares out there, but we recommend you insist on SOLAS flares which are up to 30 times brighter than standard off-the-shelf flares.

-Canopy Mounted Strobe – If you are indeed waiting for Search & Rescue at night, your chances of being found are obviously far greater if you have a strobe light mounted on your canopy. In the dark, a life raft with no light source is nearly impossible to pinpoint. A strobe light is a MUST-HAVE necessity.

-Service Facilities – The maintenance of your life raft is critical over time. Unbelievably, if not inspected according to manufacturer specifications, a life raft can lose its ability to function properly when you need it most. Leading manufacturers offer support stations around the country. For specific locations, visit the manufacturer’s website which should provide the list.

-Brands – There are several life raft manufacturers on the market today. Each has its own pros and cons. I recommend that you consider how long the company has been in business and how many independent dealers are supporting them. When purchasing a life raft, you are making an investment that should last you at least a decade. Make sure that the manufacturer is legitimate and will be there to support you for the life of the product.

-Warranty – If the manufacturer is confident in their product, a limited warranty will be offered with each life raft.

In conclusion, the last thing any of us want to worry about or even consider is a life-threatening situation arising at sea. This is exactly why after investing hundreds of thousands of dollars for our boat, motors, tackle, and accessories, the small investment for a life raft that could save our lives and those of our family and friends, makes perfect sense!

*Emergency Abandon Ship Bag mandatory items:
Bailer - Paddle - Pump - Sea anchor – Sponges – Flares - Smoke signals - Repair kit – Cup - Seasick remedies - Flashlight - Mirror – First-Aid kit - Fishing gear – Can opener – Whistle – Food – Water - Thermal blanket – Knife – EPRIB – Handheld VHF – Extra batteries

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