When the ship must be left, flotation has to be launched fast. A life raft is an inflatable or rigid buoyant craft designed to carry survivors after abandonment, stowed so that it can float free or be launched quickly.

Inflatable life rafts are packed in containers and inflate automatically on contact with water or by manual release. They carry water, food, flares, and survival equipment scaled to capacity. Hydrostatic release units allow rafts to surface if the ship sinks before they are launched by hand.

Regular servicing by approved stations keeps rafts reliable. Drills teach crew to launch, board, and organize the raft. In cold water, the raft’s canopy and insulation can mean the difference between survival and hypothermia.

• Buoyant craft for emergency evacuation
• Often inflatable and automatically released
• Carries survival equipment for its rated capacity
• Requires regular servicing and drill familiarity