Life Raft Analysis

[Pelagic]

After reading the rather heated debate about Circumnavigating and offshore survival in Cats it seemed that a lot of us have a very negative opinion about Life rafts. I think we can all agree that transferring to one is a last resort scenario in case of fire and actual sinking. But which one would you choose?

In my research (a few years ago) The Givens Liferaft stood out far above the others in stability and was the default choice of all the offshore commercial fisherman and tugs in the most extreme “Deadliest Catch” kind of conditions. The Coast Guard did extensive tests (I still have the videos) of simulating survival conditions as well as actual at sea tests and survival stories. Givens always came out on top as far as stability without the bodies needed for weight.

I bought them and in subsequent inspections found them to be far superior in design to the more well recognized brand names I saw at the service centres, which were trying to incorporate some of the Givens features without copyright infringement.

Take a look at http://www.marsys.com.au/sandr/testing.htm for some info on the tests or you can Google “Givens liferaft” to read more.

I am interested if anyone has some more up to date knowledge on what is considered the best liferaft for survival offshore as I am out of touch with recent developments

Cheers! Nick

[maxingout]

We have had a Given's liferaft for fourteen years, and it has always gone through inspection with flying colors.

There was a period of time when the quality of Given's liferafts were substandard when the company had some problems. Jim Givens lost the company,and I have heard that under new management, the rafts are still a quality product.

People who are considering the purchase of a used Given's raft should have them thoroughly inspected before they spend their money.

[GordMay]

Life Raft Test 2000 Update ~ by Doug Ritter - Equipped to Survive
EQUIPPED TO SURVIVE (tm) - Life Raft Test 2000 Update

Aviation Life Raft Review ~ Equipped to Survive
EQUIPPED TO SURVIVE (tm) - Aviation Life Raft Reviews - Configuration Issues - Freeboard Chart

Life Rafts ~ by Terry Johnson
http://seagrant.uaf.edu/bookstore/bo...life-rafts.pdf

Safety Alerts ~ USGC Office of Boating Safety: Boating Safety Division
Including:
BFA Life Raft Recall: Boating Safety Division Alerts
Viking Liferaft Recall: Boating Safety Division Alerts

[Kanani]

Don't get me started.....

I think that life-rafts are a sailors curse.

I would like to see some stats on how many liferafts are deployed on a small craft and how many souls have actually been rescued from a liferaft. Another interesting stat would be how many vessels are later found afloat after a liferaft has been deployed.

[defjef]

My Switlik offshore 6y person was sent to a company called Offshore Repair and Repack owned and operated by Paul Siege for service.

When I requested it back he claimed he misplaced it and that went on for months and then I took him to court and won, since he probably converted it (sold it to some one). I think he is back under some new name in CT in the biz. Buyer beware.

Fortunately I haven't had the need for one and I think I would rent one for a passage and not own one again after that wonderful experience.