Are Life Rafts Required For Yachts?

A liferaft is a small but durable, life-saving vessel carried aboard a larger ship designed for emergency evacuations during disasters. Lifeboats are built to be tough and can be used on a well-founded and sensibly crewed boat. They are not necessary for passages where rescue is likely within 24 hours.

Liferafts should be installed properly, with the painter permanently attached to the vessel. Each liferaft or group of liferafts should be stowed with a life raft. It is also a crucial safety measure and may be a legal requirement depending on the size of the boat and the waters you plan to sail in. The Waypoint ISO 9650-1 Ocean Elite liferaft is fully tested to ISO 9650-1 Group A specs and is extremely well built and designed for the toughest sea conditions.

Private yachts must carry enough life rafts for 100% of the total people on board depending on the flag of registry. For those yachts that charter, life rafts are essential equipment for sports boats or sailing yachts. Before buying a life raft, make sure you know where you will be sailing and the number of crew you will need it for. Fire hazards should be considered when choosing a liferaft.

It is not mandatory for pleasure vessels under 13.7 meters in length to carry a liferaft, but when deciding whether or not to do so, consider your proximity to other boats. If sailing under the French flag outside the 60-foot zone, boats flying the French flag must have at least one ISO 9650-2 certified life raft on board.

A liferaft is a necessary part of yacht equipment, but there is no universal strategy or 100% only requirement. Current regulations do not require leisure yachts under 45 feet to carry a liferaft, but carrying a standard offshore liferaft from a recognized manufacturer can be beneficial.