Life Raft
critical
Known Models (4)
Fujikura Composites (Japan) SOLAS Liferaft
6-25 Persons
· Crew Evacuation
type: Inflatable Liferaft (SOLAS)
size_range: ['6P', '10P', '15P', '20P', '25P']
variant_count_approx: 5
period_start_year: 1975
period_end_year: None
drive_type: None (CO2 inflation)
construction: Rubber fabric, CO2 cylinder, survival pack
Common Failures:
- • Standard liferaft failures
Service: Annual service mandatory.
Spares: Fujikura Composites (Tokyo, Japan). Service stations in Japan and Asia.
Survitec Group / RFD Beaufort (UK) SOLAS Liferaft Range
6-100 Persons
· Crew Evacuation
type: Inflatable Liferaft (SOLAS A/B Pack)
size_range: ['6P', '12P', '20P', '25P', '50P', '100P']
variant_count_approx: 6
period_start_year: 1955
period_end_year: None
drive_type: None (CO2 inflation)
construction: Rubber fabric, CO2 cylinder, survival pack
Common Failures:
- • HRU expiry
- • CO2 pressure loss
- • Fabric UV degradation
- • Survival pack expiry
Service: Annual service mandatory. HRU replacement per schedule.
Spares: Survitec (ehem. RFD Beaufort, Birkenhead, UK). Global service network.
Viking Life-Saving Equipment (Denmark) SOLAS Throw-Over / Davit-Launched Liferaft
6-150 Persons
· Crew Evacuation
type: Inflatable Liferaft (SOLAS A/B Pack)
size_range: ['6P', '12P', '20P', '25P', '37P', '50P', '100P', '150P']
variant_count_approx: 8
period_start_year: 1960
period_end_year: None
drive_type: None (CO2 inflation)
construction: Rubber/neoprene fabric, CO2 cylinder, survival equipment pack
Common Failures:
- • Hydrostatic Release Unit (HRU) expired — critical safety failure
- • CO2 cylinder pressure loss from corrosion/age
- • Fabric deterioration from UV exposure on deck
- • Painter line corrosion/seizure
- • Survival equipment expiry (flares, water, food)
Service: Annual service at approved service station MANDATORY (SOLAS/MSC.1/Circ.1328). HRU replacement per manufacturer interval (typically 2 years). Liferaft replacement/re-certification every 5 years (some manufacturers 3 years for older units).
Spares: Viking global service station network (250+ worldwide). Annual service: 1-3 days turnaround. HRUs: keep spares onboard for emergency replacement.
Zodiac Maritime / Zodiac Milpro (France) SOLAS Liferaft
6-50 Persons
· Crew Evacuation
type: Inflatable Liferaft (SOLAS)
size_range: ['6P', '12P', '20P', '25P', '50P']
variant_count_approx: 5
period_start_year: 1970
period_end_year: None
drive_type: None (CO2 inflation)
construction: Rubber fabric, CO2 cylinder, survival pack
Common Failures:
- • Standard inflatable liferaft failures — HRU, CO2, fabric, survival equipment
Service: Annual service mandatory at approved station.
Spares: Zodiac Maritime. Service stations globally.