55
SVN Solovelanet Global
.
Below deck
In my opinion, this is the worst option.There is no
benefit in having a piece of safety equipment if we
cannot use it effectively in case of emergency.
Once again, the liferaft must always be the valise
type because of its handling.
There are two main reasons why stowing a liferaft
below deck is not recommended. The first one is its
weight.A coastal valise raft for 4 people (the smallest
basic model available on the market) weighs over
25 kg, and carrying it on deck through the stairs,
fastening the painter line and launching it, involves
a physical effort that not everyone may be able to
provide.
The second one is that we might have to abandon
ship in the event of a fire. In that case, taking the li
-
feraft is the last thing we think about, until we get on
deck and start to wonder how to abandon the boat
in flames.Only then will we realize that the raft is still
below deck, but it will be too late.
The studies conducted by the main industry authori
-
ties, such as MCA, RNLI and RYA share the opinion
that a liferaft should always be placed where it can
be launched instantly and with minimal effort by any
crew member.
Self-inflating liferafts in hard and
soft containers
Stefano Cioni, Ocean Yachtmaster Instructor
at the Royal Yachting Association, MCA Ma-
ster, MCA approved Yacht Surveyor
Training Skipper at the Sir Robin Knox-John-
ston's Clipper Round the World Yacht Race
The author
Above are images of a SVN video
explaining how the inflatable raft
works and how to use it
(unfortunately the video was shot only
in Italian)
