Professional Marine Life Rafts
Your Trusted Marine Emergency Survival Equipment Supplier
Lochain Marine Life Raft is a critical safety device designed to sustain human life when abandoning a distressed vessel. Second only to motorized lifeboats in importance, it serves as core equipment for emergency evacuation and maritime rescue operations, and is also deployed for specialized flood disaster response.
In critical scenarios such as sudden vessel sinking or severe listing where launching lifeboats becomes impossible, rapid auto-inflation and buoyancy capabilities make life rafts the ultimate lifeline.
Marine Life Rafts Key advantages include:
Lightweight Construction: Facilitates storage and transportation.
Space Efficiency: Minimal stowage volume.
Low Maintenance: Streamlined inspection and servicing.
Cost-Effectiveness: High return on safety investment.
Comprehensive Life Raft Solutions
LOCHAIN MARINE supply industry-standard models for diverse maritime requirements:
4/6/8-person Life Rafts (Compact & Efficient)
10/12/20-person Life Rafts (Optimal for Mid-size Vessels)
6-person Square Life Raft* (Specialized Configuration)
50/65-person Large Capacity Rafts* (For Ships & Offshore Installations)
Technical Classification: Marine Life Raft Types
Life rafts are categorized by construction, deployment method, and certification standards:
1. By Construction
Inflatable Life Raft: Industry standard. Features compact storage and rapid auto-inflation.
Rigid Life Raft: Constructed with GRP or galvanized steel flotation chambers. Symmetrical design allows use from either side. Rarely used today due to bulk.
2. By Deployment Method
Throw-over Type: Manually or gravity-launched deployment.
Davit-Launched Type: Deployed via dedicated davits. Ideal for specific vessel types/stations.
3. By Certification Level & Application
Type A (SOLAS Approved / Ocean Service): Highest specification. Required for international voyages.
Key Features: Double-layer canopy with insulating air gap, stringent occupant calculations, full safety gear complements, 18m drop-test certified.
Type B (Coastal Approved / Limited Service): Suitable for sheltered/coastal waters.
Key Features: Single-layer canopy, moderated occupant capacity, reduced gear requirements, 12m drop-test compliance.
Specialized Models:
Open-reversible raft for high-speed craft
Fishing vessel-specific survival rafts
Self-righting/canopy raft for ro-ro passenger vessels
Regulatory Compliance & Operational Protocols
SOLAS-compliant life rafts must satisfy rigorous performance criteria
Structural Integrity: Capable of enduring all sea states while afloat for minimum 30 days.
Impact Resistance: Certified for safe deployment from 18 meters height.
Passenger Safety: Withstands repeated 4.5-meter jumps onto fully-loaded raft floor with/without erected canopy.
Towing Stability: When fully loaded with occupants/gear and sea anchor deployed, towable at 3 knots (5.6 km/h) in calm seas.
Environmental Protection:Type A/B canopy providing thermal/weather protection.
Auto-erecting canopy upon water surface deployment.
Functional rainwater collection system.
Painter Line (Critical Safety Component): Minimum length = 2× vertical distance from stowage to lightest seagoing waterline OR 15 meters (whichever is greater).
Mandatory Survival Kit: Per SOLAS/IMO regulations:Water/ration packs - Signaling devices (EPIRB, rockets, flares)
First aid supplies - Repair kits - Bailers/paddles
Survival manuals - Whistles - Waterproof lights - Fishing gear
Auto-Release Mechanism:Hydrostatic Release Unit (HRU): Automatically releases raft container at 1.5-4 meter depth via water pressure.
Painter Connection Protocol:
a) Painter permanently secured to HRU's release trigger ring.b) Weak link (breakable cord) connects trigger ring to HRU's mounting bracket.
c) Ensures inflation tension breaks weak link to separate raft from sinking vessel.
Critical Restriction: Never extract painter or tamper with HRU in non-emergencies.
Stowage & Installation Guidelines
Life rafts are vacuum-packed within GRP storage canisters, vertically secured to certified mounting brackets welded to ship decks. Installation requirements:
Canister lashed via quick-release tie-down strap connected through manual release hook to the HRU.
Brackets positioned for unobstructed deployment.
Monthly Visual Inspection Checklist:
✅ HRU expiration date
✅ Painter accessibility
✅ Canister integrity
✅ Lashing assembly condition
Contact Lochain Marine Today
Reach out to our Hangzhou or Ningbo office for high-quality marine parts inquiries.