Essential Liferaft Inspection Checklist

Optimal Safety: Liferaft Servicing UK and Compliance Guide

Regular liferaft inspections are the cornerstone of marine and aviation safety, ensuring dependable performance during emergencies. This Essential Liferaft Inspection Checklist outlines critical examination steps, regulatory intervals in the UK, and best practices for visual, inflation and pressure testing. You will learn:

Optimal servicing frequency under SOLAS, MCA and ISO standards
Step-by-step external, internal and system checks
Mandatory UK inspection requirements and pressure test protocols
How Universal Safety's accredited stations handle servicing, hire and sales

Implementing this liferaft inspection checklist enhances compliance, extends equipment lifespan and provides peace of mind whether you operate commercial vessels or leisure craft.

How Often Should You Service a Liferaft for Optimal Safety?

Annual liferaft servicing under recognised conventions verifies container integrity, inflation systems and emergency equipment. Precise intervals combine international rules and vessel-specific factors to maintain certification and avert failures.

What Are the Recommended Liferaft Servicing Intervals in the UK?

In the UK, liferaft service intervals follow a tiered schedule:

SOLAS-approved rafts: serviced every 12 months, with a full overhaul at five-year marks
ISO 9650-1 Group A rafts: three-yearly for the first nine years, then annual services
ISO 9650-2 rafts: annual servicing from year one

This schedule preserves buoyancy chambers, inflation cylinders and emergency pack readiness.

How Do SOLAS and MCA Regulations Influence Service Frequency?

SOLAS mandates annual inspections and five-year overhauls to comply with the Safety of Life at Sea Convention.

International Maritime Organization, SOLAS Convention (various amendments) This citation supports the article's claims about SOLAS regulations and their implementation in the UK.

The UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) enforces these intervals through Marine Guidance Notes and vessel surveys. Non-compliance can lead to insurance invalidation and port detention.

Maritime and Coastguard Agency, Marine Guidance Notes (MGN 548, MGN 499) This citation validates the article's reference to the MCA's guidance on liferaft servicing.

What Factors Affect Liferaft Service Timing and Frequency?

Service timing varies with:

Liferaft type (valise or canister)
Age and condition of buoyancy chambers
Operational environment (saltwater exposure accelerates corrosion)
Manufacturer guidelines and usage history

Adjust intervals when equipment shows wear, damage or has exceeded its service life.

What Are the Key Steps in a Liferaft Inspection Checklist?

A systematic inspection uncovers defects before deployment. Follow four core steps to ensure airtight readiness and full compliance.

How to Perform an External Visual Inspection of the Liferaft?

Begin with a thorough survey of the container and valise:

Check external fabric for abrasion, tears or mould
Verify corrosion-free seals on self-inflating canisters
Confirm painter line, lashing straps and securing hooks are intact

These checks detect damage that could compromise inflation, leading into internal system verification.

What Should Be Checked Inside the Liferaft and Inflation System?

Opening the container reveals critical components:

CO₂ cylinder and inflation hoses for rust, dents or leaks
Relief valves and burst discs for correct seating and integrity
Emergency pack contents—flares, water, first-aid items—are within expiry

Ensuring these parts are serviceable prevents inflation failures and pack shortages.

How Is the Hydrostatic Release Unit (HRU) Inspected and Tested?

Inspect the HRU's hull-mounted bracket, verifying label legibility and expiry date. Examine the release pin and housing for corrosion or mechanical binding. A functional HRU deploys the raft automatically at depth, so any defect must prompt immediate replacement.

What Are the Procedures for Pressure Testing Liferafts?

Pressure tests confirm airtight seams and chamber integrity. Here are some **example** test parameters. Be aware that not all rafts are the same.

Test Type	Pressure Level	Frequency
Working Pressure Test	+1.0 bar above ambient	Annual
Gas Inflation (GI) Stress	Full rated gas inflation	Every 5 years
Necessary Additional Pressure (NAP)	+2.0 bar over working level	At 11 years then annual
Floor Seam Integrity Test	0.5 bar under inflatable floor	Each service

These tests detect leaks in seams, valves and floor joints. Successful results confirm liferaft reliability under real-world stress.

How Are Repairs, Repacking, and Certification Completed?

After defect identification:

Repair or replace damaged fabric, hoses and valves with certified parts.
Repack the liferaft in manufacturer-approved sequence to maintain inflation dynamics.
Issue a service certificate detailing test results, expiry dates and next due dates.

Certification verifies compliance with SOLAS, ISO 9650 and MCA regulations before returning equipment to service.

What Are the Marine Liferaft Inspection Requirements Under SOLAS and UK Regulations?

Understanding these regulations ensures your liferaft passes statutory surveys and remains fully operable.

What SOLAS Liferaft Inspection Checklist Items Are Mandatory?

SOLAS requires:

Annual visual and functional inspection of container, inflation system and emergency equipment
Five-year overhaul including GI and floor seam tests
Documentation of each service step and certification record

Regulation	Mandate	Interval
SOLAS	Annual inspection + 5-year overhaul	1 year, 5 years
ISO 9650-1	Group A up to 3-year service intervals	3 years then 1 year
ISO 9650-2	Annual inspection from year one	1 year

These standards underpin liferaft readiness and must be enforced by all flag states.

How Does the MCA Enforce Liferaft Servicing and Inspection in the UK?

The MCA issues Marine Guidance Notes (MGN 548, MGN 499) and conducts vessel surveys to verify liferaft servicing records. Inspectors check service certificates, expiry tags and physical condition. Failure to comply prompts deficiency reports and may prevent vessel departure.

What Are the ISO 9650 Standards for Liferaft Inspection?

ISO 9650-1 addresses inflatable rafts for commercial use; group A rafts enjoy three-yearly intervals initially. ISO 9650-2 focuses on leisure craft, mandating annual servicing. Both standards specify pressure tests, load testing and pack contents to ensure uniform safety across liferaft categories.

International Organization for Standardization, ISO 9650 (various parts) This citation supports the article's discussion of ISO 9650 standards and their role in liferaft inspection.

What Does the Liferaft Pressure Test Procedure Involve?

Pressure tests validate airtight integrity and seam strength under controlled conditions.

How Is the Working Pressure Test Conducted and What Does It Verify?

The working pressure test inflates the liferaft to a specified overpressure, monitoring drop-off rates over 24 hours. This verifies that seams, valves and inflation hoses maintain proper pressure without unacceptable leaks.

What Is the Gas Inflation (GI) Test and When Is It Required?

The GI test subjects the raft to full cylinder inflation at maximum fill rate, confirming that CO₂ regulators and hoses withstand stress. It is required every five years as part of the comprehensive overhaul.

What Is the Necessary Additional Pressure (NAP) Test and Its Importance?

The NAP test applies double the working overpressure to seams and fabric, identifying micro-defects invisible at lower pressures. Conducted at 11 years and annually thereafter, it prevents catastrophic failures from undetected weaknesses.

How Is the Floor Seam Test Performed and Why Is It Critical?

The floor seam test fills the raft and inspects the inflation beneath the floor, ensuring a sealed floor panel. Integrity here prevents water ingress around the cabin base, preserving buoyancy and occupant safety.

How Can Universal Safety Support Your Liferaft Servicing and Hire Needs in the UK?

Universal Safety combines accredited expertise, swift turnaround and flexible hire options to keep your liferafts compliant and operational.

What Accredited Liferaft Servicing Options Does Universal Safety Offer?

Universal Safety operates MCA-approved stations staffed by trained technicians. Services include annual inspections, five-year overhauls, HRU replacements and emergency kit refills—all in compliance with SOLAS, ISO 9650 and MCA codes.

How Does Liferaft Hire Work for Leisure and Commercial Users?

Hire liferafts on flexible terms: daily, weekly or annual agreements. Each hired raft undergoes a full service before dispatch, assuring immediate compliance and on-board readiness without capital expenditure.

Where Can You Buy Certified Marine and Aviation Liferafts?

Choose from a range of SOLAS- and CAA-approved liferafts, including valise and canister models for marine and aviation applications. Every new raft arrives with certification documentation and guidance on maintenance intervals.

Universal Safety stands ready to ensure your liferafts meet operational, regulatory and safety standards, delivering peace of mind on every voyage.

Liferaft inspection is not optional—it safeguards lives, preserves equipment and secures regulatory compliance. By following this checklist and partnering with accredited specialists, you strengthen your safety protocols and ensure liferafts perform flawlessly when every second counts.