UK Commercial Liferaft Maintenance Regulations

Commercial Liferaft Servicing Best Practices for UK Vessels

Professional maintenance and regulatory compliance of commercial liferafts ensure reliable evacuation capabilities and smooth port inspections. In the United Kingdom, liferaft servicing best practices strengthen operational safety, reduce liability and support continuous compliance with SOLAS, MCA and ISO 9650 standards.

This guide covers key UK regulations, a step-by-step servicing workflow, station selection criteria, hire options and storage recommendations, with supplementary insight from Universal Safety Ltd ’s MCA-approved liferaft servicing and hire solutions.

What Are the Key Commercial Liferaft Servicing Regulations in the UK?

Annual servicing, multi-year overhauls and approved station accreditation define the regulatory framework for commercial vessels. These requirements ensure every liferaft remains fully operational, with documented inspections and certified technicians maintaining buoyancy, inflation systems and emergency provisions.

What Does SOLAS Require for Liferaft Servicing and Inspection?

SOLAS Regulation III/20.8 mandates an annual inspection by a certified service station and a full overhaul every five years. This process involves container integrity checks, inflation system testing and emergency pack renewal. SOLAS also permits extended intervals of up to 30 months for new approved rafts under special IMO-certified schemes.

Commercial Liferaft Servicing: Maintenance Criteria and Legal Requirements

Safety on board merchant vessels is a critical concern for passengers, crew, cargo, the environment, and the vessel itself. In the event of an emergency requiring abandonment of the ship, the activation of safety rafts becomes imperative. Consequently, their prior maintenance is of paramount importance to ensure proper readiness in such emergency situations. With this in mind, the objective of this study is to analyse the maintenance process criteria for safety rafts as applied by permanent servicing stations in Venezuela. To achieve the proposed objective, compliance with legal and technical requirements was established, along with the technological aspects employed and the established procedural steps. The knowledge and management capabilities of the personnel involved in the operability of liferafts were also assessed. The study was conducted through documentary reports, employing a field research methodology with a descriptive level design, applied to the main participating actors: four (4) safety raft maintenance stations, directly involved personnel from Venezuelan maritime authorities, and harbour masters. SERVICING STATION FOR INFLATABLE LIFERAFTS MAINTENANCE CRITERIA

How Does the MCA Regulate Liferaft Servicing for Coded Commercial Vessels?

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) demands that coded commercial vessels use MCA-approved service stations and personnel. Valise-packed rafts require annual certificates, while container rafts follow a one-year inspection cadence with detailed logbook records. MCA approval verifies facility standards, technician qualifications and traceable service history.

What Are the ISO 9650 Standards for Commercial Liferaft Maintenance?

ISO 9650-1 Group A liferafts have three-year intervals for the first nine years, then annual checks; ISO 9650-2 units require annual servicing from year one. These standards focus on material strength, seam integrity and inflation performance under diverse marine environments, complementing SOLAS and MCA frameworks.

What Is the Step-by-Step Process for Liferaft Servicing on Commercial Vessels?

A structured workflow maximises consistency and traceability. Each step from receipt to certification addresses specific EAV (Entity–Attribute–Value) checkpoints, creating a complete maintenance record.

Before initiating the service, the station records raft details, condition on arrival and service history. Maintaining a comprehensive logbook ensures regulatory compliance and transparent client reporting.

How Are Liferafts Received and Documented for Service?

On arrival, technicians verify raft type, serial numbers and pack integrity. Documentation includes arrival date, vessel name and previous service date. This initial inspection sets the baseline for all subsequent checks.

What Inspections Are Performed on Liferaft Containers and Inflation Systems?

Technicians examine container shells for corrosion, cracks and water ingress. The inflation system is dismounted to inspect hoses, valves and manifold assemblies. Pressure retention tests confirm container integrity under working conditions.

How Is the Internal Liferaft Condition Assessed During Servicing?

Inside the raft, buoyancy tubes, seams and floor panels are visually inspected for tears, abrasion or delamination. Stitch density and patch adhesion are verified to confirm material resilience and compliance with ISO tensile strength criteria.

What Functional and Pressure Tests Are Conducted?

Initial inflation uses compressed air to detect leaks, followed by a 60-minute working pressure test on buoyancy chambers. Gas inflation stress tests occur every five years, while floor seam tests apply at ten years and annually thereafter.

Test Type	Frequency	Purpose
Working Pressure	Every service	Verify chamber integrity under load
Gas Inflation Stress	Every 5 years	Validate gas cylinder durability
Floor Seam Leak Test	Every 10 years, then annual	Ensure floor membrane seal effectiveness

These tests confirm that inflation systems and chambers meet design specifications and regulatory thresholds.

How Are Emergency Packs Reviewed and Replenished?

Emergency pack contents—flares, water packets, rations and first-aid supplies—are inventoried and replaced if expired or damaged. Pack replenishment follows SOLAS minimum quantities, with expiry date tracking documented in service certificates.

What Are the Final Steps: Repacking and Certification?

Repacking follows manufacturer-approved folds, ensuring rapid deployment and correct inflation. A printed service certificate records inspection outcomes, test results and next due date. Universal Safety Ltd guarantees turnaround within seven days or provides a free hire raft during the delay.

How Do You Choose an MCA Approved Liferaft Service Station in the UK?

Selecting the right station safeguards compliance and service quality. Accreditation, infrastructure and support offerings distinguish reputable providers.

Why Is MCA Approval Essential for Liferaft Servicing?

MCA approval confirms adherence to British and international maritime regulations, qualified technicians and calibrated equipment. This accreditation minimises inspection delays and ensures port-state compliance.

What Service Guarantees and Support Should You Expect?

A robust service package includes guaranteed turnaround times, documented quality checks and contingent hire raft provision. Flexible payment plans, such as direct debit for hires, spread costs while preserving readiness.

What Are the Benefits and Options for Liferaft Hire on Commercial Vessels?

Hiring liferafts offers cost control, immediate compliance and scalable fleet coverage without capital outlay. It suits seasonal operations, temporary vessel charters and sudden equipment failures.

How Does Liferaft Hire Support Compliance and Cost-Effectiveness?

Hire agreements include fully serviced, SOLAS- and ISO-compliant rafts ready for deployment. Clients avoid overhaul scheduling and capital depreciation, while maintaining continuous certification and insurance validity.

Maintenance of Maritime Safety Equipment: Regulations and SOLAS Compliance

This publication provides an overview of the known amendments to the existing statutory regulations. 1. This paper outlines a comprehensive checklist for the maintenance of safety equipment on vessels, detailing specific regulatory requirements and testing intervals for various fire-extinguishing systems, navigation equipment, and other critical safety measures. Emphasis is placed on ensuring functionality and compliance with guidelines set forth by various maritime regulatory bodies, aiming to enhance maritime safety and preparedness. 2. The purpose of this study is to identify the importance of safety and firefighting systems on vessels, their types, arrangements, regulations, and installation. Taking a tugboat as a case study, declaring all of its safety equipment, requirements, and firefighting systems may help represent the importance of such requirements onboard vessels. In the first chapter of this report, we will begin by defining vessel types and where our case study fits within this classification. We will define tugboats, their types, functions, and specifications. In the second chapter, exposing safety onboard vessels will be our objective, declaring types of safety, risks to which a vessel is subjected, and responses to these risks. We cannot discuss safety onboard without discussing SOLAS conventions and their regulations for safety equipment, lifesaving appliances, personal safety, operational safety, safety of navigation, and radio communications. We will also declare GMDSS rules. The third chapter will be about firefighting systems onboard vessels. We will begin by understanding the definition of fire, its basics, and classifications. We will also examine SOLAS regulations for this purpose and the importance of the FSS Code. This chapter includes the three main systems for fire: prevention systems, detection and alarm systems, and main firefighting systems. It also includes means of escape in the event of a fire. In the fourth chapter, our case study will take place, which is a tugbo Checklist for Maintenance of Safety Equipment

What Types of Liferafts Are Available for Commercial Hire?

Commercial hire fleets feature SOLAS-approved davit-launched models and ISO 9650 valise-packed rafts. Each type includes complete emergency packs, inflation cylinders and hydrostatic release units inspected to current standards.

Raft Type	Deployment Method	Key Benefit
SOLAS Davit	Davit launch	Rapid inflation under load
ISO 9650 Valise	Throw-over	Lightweight stowage

Flexible hire terms from Universal Safety Ltd include direct debit payment plans and free contingency rafts if service targets are not met.

What Are the Best Practices for Liferaft Storage and Handling on Commercial Vessels?

Proper stowage and gentle handling prevent damage, ensuring readiness and longevity.

How Should Liferafts Be Stored Onboard to Ensure Safety?

Store liferafts in protected lockers away from sharp objects and direct sunlight. Ensure clear access paths and visibility of service dates, with lashings secured to avoid movement.

What Are Common Causes of Liferaft Damage and How Can They Be Prevented?

Drops, heavy impacts and exposure to chemicals degrade fabrics and seals. Handling precautions include two-person lifts, use of padded supports and routine visual inspections to catch early signs of wear. Continuous adherence to best practices extends service intervals and reduces repair needs.

Universal Safety Ltd’s comprehensive marine and aviation safety solutions integrate expert servicing, hire options and direct sales of life-saving equipment to keep commercial vessels compliant and crew safe.