450: L450 securing your life raft

[Bean Counter]

It would be wise to keep a knife or line cutter handy to the rear cockpit in any event. We keep ours under the cockpit table in a scabbard. (Some people keep a machete there for other reasons). You would not want to rely on a quick release buckle as the sole means of releasing your life raft (they would still need to be maintained). When offshore it would also be wise carry a clasp knife on your person as well. I reckon those webbing straps could be cut in a couple of seconds, and with all the Adrenalin going around deployment would not be an issue as the raft is hard plastic shell on slippery stainless bars. So if a knife or two is/are available why spend the money on something unproven?

[John Holbrook]

Once you fire those snap shackles they look like they would jam or potentially between the bottom of the lift raft container and the stainless steel holder.

Another issue is how to get into the life raft. In a rough sea you may need to clip your harness tether onto the life raft tether. For that reason the life raft tether should be reachable from one of the rear steps.

Originally Posted by DavefromNZ

Two snaps shackles. An inflation line and another lanyard attached to a handle to pull it from under the hulls. Plus a line to eject it out.
Attachment 145809Attachment 145810

[meirriba]

Originally Posted by gstent

Just had my life raft serviced but not happy with how it has previously been secured using two ratchet straps - would not meet a 15 second quick release requirement. Anyone using a system to secure their life raft in a simple manner allowing quick release given the somewhat awkward 'under transom' storage position? Thanks

Cut the straps - 5 sec.
Keep a ready sharp knife in the cockpit .