Liferaft: Yes or No

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by DJBrookster

Maybe not, but the point is that survival is a basic instinct, give yourself and any crew every possible chance. I totally agree about not abandoning until the boat is going down and similar points made. Maybe people not carrying them are just trying for the Darwin Awards.

As skipper you are responsible for the safety of your crew. Does "Lifeboats are too dear" sound justifiable? As I'm sure it would not stand up as reasonable care should you survive and your crew not in a court of law.

When I do a delivery with owner crew I make sure the maximum safety gear is on board... thats work.... and its my responsibilty... I take it seriously..
In a cavalier sorta way...
However... what I do solo is my choice and prefered method of survival... you go your way and I'll go mine.
Just coz some of us have different views or expeiences does not make us brainless and careless a*****s...
Well..... maybe after a few beers...

[rebel heart]

Originally Posted by capn_billl

You would think so, but swimming in ocean is not easy. I had to rescue two marines last summer in warm Florida water that were only 1/4 mile offshore and nearly drowned. One had the straps break on his snorkal and was no longer able to prevent ingestion of seawater.

Launching a dinghy from that distance, no problem, but I wouldn't try to swim it.

Yeah in no way would I recommend it, but with enough flotation in a regular sea and the clothes you could make it work. Drowning 1/4 mile out is pretty crazy unless they were already seriously exhausted. I've kicked out that far to do scuba dives. Takes forever and is a pain in the ass but if you can keep the water out, stay on your back and kick it's not so bad. Then again I'm in the those big fins.

Dunno; I'd feel somewhat comfortable that distance from shore if I had to abandon a boat. Between cushions, life jackets, exposure clothes, wooden doors and the such it could work. You're within VHF range too.

I guess another aspect is whether you're off a populated shore like Southern California or off some barren wasteland where you might as well be out in the middle of an ocean.

[DJBrookster]

Originally Posted by boatman61

When I do a delivery with owner crew I make sure the maximum safety gear is on board... thats work.... and its my responsibilty... I take it seriously..
In a cavalier sorta way...
However... what I do solo is my choice and prefered method of survival... you go your way and I'll go mine.
Just coz some of us have different views or expeiences does not make us brainless and careless ********...
Well..... maybe after a few beers...

No offence meant. Solo = own life own chances by choices, subject to family possibly left behind and possible life insurance issues etc...etc.

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by DJBrookster

No offence meant. Solo = own life own chances by choices, subject to family possibly left behind and possible life insurance issues etc...etc.

Zero on all counts...
Aint life grand...

[James S]

Originally Posted by rebel heart

Yeah in no way would I recommend it, but with enough flotation in a regular sea and the clothes you could make it work. Drowning 1/4 mile out is pretty crazy unless they were already seriously exhausted. I've kicked out that far to do scuba dives. Takes forever and is a pain in the ass but if you can keep the water out, stay on your back and kick it's not so bad. Then again I'm in the those big fins.

Dunno; I'd feel somewhat comfortable that distance from shore if I had to abandon a boat. Between cushions, life jackets, exposure clothes, wooden doors and the such it could work. You're within VHF range too.

I guess another aspect is whether you're off a populated shore like Southern California or off some barren wasteland where you might as well be out in the middle of an ocean.

And when dark is upon you...and boats that cant see you....?

[downunder]

Some are just more comfortable in the water than other particually somone with a strong swimming or freediving background.

Equally many sailers /boaters are uncomfortable with their abilities in the water.

That being said nobody wants or plans to be in the water because their vessel has sunk.

We must all however consider and plan for that possibility and it is one of the advantages of a foam catamaran.

[sctpc]

Originally Posted by norsearayder

i have 2 survival suits,raft[inspected]

I find it hard to put on one. But seriously It takes a good 5 mins to put on so not a quick think to use in an emergency and have you ever tried to put it on in a rolling sea? I would bet not. so unless you always have one on I would not count on it in a emergency.

But there great when it cold an wet.

[markpierce]

From what you guys say, liferafts won't inflate or will deflate in the majority of cases, making it sound they are a big waste of money.

Too bad lifeboats aren't a practical option for us pleasure boaters.

[Coachbolt61]

Originally Posted by Minggat

However, it can be a deady choice because it can give a false sense of security. Hence the conversation about alternative LIFE BOATS.

Go here.
http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...dgy-17192.html

Certainly not a life RAFT, but one alternative life BOAT

I like this idea. No worries about not inflating. Has anyone got one, used one or seen one east coast of Oz? Legal here?

[Robin3]

If we could put a lid on our RIB on the top deck of our trawler, that is what we have got.

[barnakiel]

Originally Posted by DJBrookster

(...) not in a court of law.

Only in a country that has a regulation that requires pleasure craft to carry one!

As you noted from my above posts: I am all FOR having one, mildly AGAINST being required by the law to carry one.

This is because I know many sailors who did long ocean passages without liferafts as well as sailors who cannot afford one.

There are alternatives to liferafts in any case - a hard dinghy, an inflatable dinghy, etc.. They may offer less protection, true, but at least they can be navigated towards the nearest land - try this with a liferaft ...

b.

[stevewrye]

Originally Posted by markpierce

From what you guys say, liferafts won't inflate or will deflate in the majority of cases, making it sound they are a big waste of money.

Too bad lifeboats aren't a practical option for us pleasure boaters.

But they do work and most of the time if properly taken care of.

[barnakiel]

Yup. The ones we used for training all opened up and inflated properly. Old stuff and pretty beaten up. Can't see why a new unit would not.

I have only ever heard of one case where a pdf did not. Why would liferafts be less dependable?

b.

[David_Old_Jersey]

One of my Father's boats was a lifeboat. Top that



100 were made for a Liner (in the 60's) that never got built. Fairey Marine converted them to Motor Sailors, with the emphasis heavily on Motor for actually getting any where

But would chug through just about any weather / sea state. could roll like a pig though

No liferaft of course (70's).......but a bit more Nav Aids than when Father started - ex-RAF box compass, a chart from 1962 (still have and still use!)....and a pencil (long gone ).

[James S]

Neat looking little boat...what was the length?