Can I service my own life raft?
Owner’s should not attempt to service their own life rafts as it is not safe, a life raft which has been opened and repacked by someone who is not trained may not inflate when needed.
Authorized service stations are the only place where technicians undergo specialized training to detect faults, repair, test, and repack your life raft. They constantly receive information from the manufacture pertaining to important changes and modifications that owners will/may not receive.
Service stations also stock the necessary spare parts needed to service a life raft, these are only available from the manufacture and are not usually sold to end users.
Owners attempting service will have great difficulty getting the life raft back into its canister or valise, and also do not possess the specialized tools required for service, you may cause damage to the life raft by attempting service which can be costly to rectify.
How often should I service my leisure Life raft?
Most leisure type life rafts require servicing every 3 years, however, many manufacturers’ require an annual service based on the following:
- Life rafts used under tropical climatic conditions (geographic zone between the Tropics of
Cancer and of Capricorn) for a period of longer than 6 months a year, must have annual inspections
- Life rafts on board vessels used for charter or hire purposes must have annual inspections.
Please Note:
Some countries impose specific conditions or regulations that may be more restrictive. You should consult the relevant authorities and apply any regulations in addition to our instructions.
(Notably, without being limiting, the USA, Italy, Australia, Spain, or racing regulations.)
Manufacture websites usually list their authorized service stations, making it easy to find one nearest to you, if not you can email them directly for this information.
How often should commercial / industrial liferaft be serviced?
Commercial Liferafts must be serviced and re-certified annually by an approved and authorized service station, in compliance with IMO and SOLAS regulations.
Manufacture websites usually list their authorized service stations, making it easy to find one nearest to you, if not you can email them directly for this information.
How much time is needed for a life raft to be serviced?
Liferafts usually take a minimum of 4 hours to service, this includes:
- Unpacking
- Cleaning
- Inspection and Testing
- Troubleshooting
- Repairs
- Repacking
Life rafts which require repairs, may take more than 24 hours as the adhesive used will need to cure properly and the life raft will need to be retested.
Please note, that the actual time a life raft can be returned to a customer will depend on the current work load at the service station, sometimes on receiving a life raft service stations can only commence work a few days after.
What are some of the tests performed on life rafts and their frequency?
- Working Pressure test. – Performed at each service
- Bridle Overload test. – Performed Bi-Annually (Only applicable to Davit Launch Type Life rafts)
- Gas Inflation test. – Every 5 Years (Gas Cylinder also goes for Hydraulic Test and Re-Charging)
- Floor seam test. – From the 10th Year and every year after
- Necessary Additional Pressure test. – From the 10th Year and every year after
It may be necessary to carry out the NAP test if a life raft has been repaired
Should you have any more questions please do not hesitate to email or call us, we will also post more frequently asked questions here, as we answer them.