Vane Brother's > Marine Safety Services

U.S.C.G. Approved Life Rafts

If you are required by law to have a life raft onboard (commercial fisherman, tug, ship, etc.), then most likely you are required to have a USCG approved life raft. This means that the design
and the manufacturing of the raft was done to USCG standards and that a USCG raft inspector signs off on each life raft produced. Likewise, the servicing of these rafts are checked by the USCG. Recreational liferafts are not USCG approved, though the better brands are built to the same standards.

Life Raft Facts:

Inflatable liferafts generally have a lifespan of eight to fifteen years.
Practically all raft manufacturers recommend servicing your raft annually. (Never exceed 2-3 years due to the chance of battery/flare corrosion)
Rafts are made of several different types of materials. This is what accounts for some of the price variances between brands. The basic types are:
- Rubber based: A cloth material with rubber, neoprene, or similar substance on both sides. The technology has been around since the 40's. Proven over the years, these rafts are hand made and the most costly to produce. Considered by many as the best.
- PVC based: These use a cloth base that has a PVC or urethane type material on both sides. They generally utilize heat-welded seams that are machine made and therefore less costly to produce.
- Tube in tube based: These usually have a PVC/cloth outer shell with a polyurethane inner tube. These rafts boast low cost and ease of repair.
As far as stability, the larger the ballast system (and therefore the amount of water it holds) the better. Keeping the raft upright in heavy seas is important.

Conclusions:

As with most things, you generally get what you pay for. Buying the cheapest thing that meets your needs may NOT be the best for you.
Many of the U.S. made rafts may cost more than foreign ones, but may be cheaper in the long run due to cost of parts used during repacking/servicing
If you only need a raft for a limited amount of time, consider raft rental.
If you are on a budget, consider used liferafts. In many cases you can get a re-certified 2-4 year old raft for half the cost of a new one.
Consider what features are important to you, read the brochures, ask questions. Look for a dealer that is knowledgeable of the product and that you trust.