Liferaft Service in Chennai: SOLAS Requirements, Inspection & Certification

For commercial vessels, an inflatable liferaft is a critical Life-Saving Appliance (LSA) that must remain ready for immediate deployment during an emergency. Fire, collision, flooding or any other situation requiring abandonment of the vessel can place the crew's survival directly dependent on the condition and readiness of the vessel's lifesaving equipment.

Regular liferaft servicing, inspection, testing, repacking and certification are therefore essential parts of vessel safety management.

For shipowners, ship managers, technical superintendents and masters operating vessels through Chennai Port, Ennore/Kamarajar Port and the wider Tamil Nadu maritime region, arranging liferaft service on time is particularly important for maintaining statutory compliance and avoiding equipment-related deficiencies during surveys and inspections.

In this guide, we explain the important SOLAS liferaft servicing requirements, inspection procedures, certification, HRU checks and servicing considerations for vessels in Chennai.

What Is Liferaft Servicing?

Liferaft servicing is a systematic process of inspecting, testing, maintaining and repacking an inflatable liferaft to verify that it remains suitable for its intended emergency function.

A professional liferaft service can include examination of:

• Liferaft container or valise
• Inflatable chambers
• Liferaft fabric and seams
• Inflation valves
• Gas inflation system
• CO2 cylinder and associated components
• Pressure and leakage condition
• Canopy
• Boarding arrangements
• Liferaft floor
• Painter system
• Sea anchor
• Emergency equipment
• Survival equipment
• Food and water provisions, where applicable
• Pyrotechnics and expiry dates
• First-aid equipment
• Hydrostatic Release Unit (HRU)
• Identification markings
• Previous service documentation

The exact service scope should follow the applicable manufacturer's servicing procedures, approval requirements, flag-state requirements and relevant IMO/SOLAS provisions.

Why Is Liferaft Servicing Important for Ships in Chennai?

Chennai is an important maritime hub on India's east coast, while the wider Chennai region also supports vessel operations at Ennore/Kamarajar Port and other nearby maritime facilities.

Vessels calling at these locations may include:

• Bulk carriers
• Container vessels
• Tankers
• General cargo vessels
• Offshore-related vessels
• Other commercial ships

A liferaft may remain packed for months or years without being deployed. During this period, environmental conditions such as humidity, saltwater, heat, UV exposure and ageing can affect the condition of inflatable materials and associated equipment.

Regular servicing helps identify problems before the equipment is needed in an actual emergency.

SOLAS Requirements for Liferaft Servicing

Liferafts fall under SOLAS Chapter III – Life-Saving Appliances and Arrangements, together with the applicable requirements of the International Life-Saving Appliance (LSA) Code.

For Indian-flag vessels, the Directorate General of Maritime Administration states that inflatable liferafts must be serviced at intervals of not more than 12 months at a DGS-approved LSA service station, or at an overseas station approved by the relevant flag-state administration. DGS also specifies annual servicing for hydrostatic release units. (Directorate General of Shipping)

The current DGS framework further states that only approved LSA service stations are authorised to undertake periodic servicing of inflatable lifesaving appliances, including inflatable liferafts, for Indian-flag vessels and foreign vessels while in Indian waters. (Directorate General of Shipping)

Therefore, shipowners should verify the current approval status, servicing scope, OEM authorisation and competent-person requirements before selecting a service provider.

How Often Should a Liferaft Be Serviced?

For Indian-flag vessels, DGS currently specifies a servicing interval of not more than 12 months for inflatable liferafts at an approved LSA service station. (Directorate General of Shipping)

Ship managers should maintain a liferaft servicing schedule containing:

• Liferaft serial number
• Manufacturer
• Model
• Capacity
• Container number
• Previous service date
• Next service due date
• HRU information
• Service certificate
• Service station details
• Applicable approval information

Planning the service before the due date is preferable to waiting until the vessel is already alongside.

A professional liferaft inspection involves more than checking the expiry date printed on the container.

1. Liferaft Container Inspection

Technicians inspect the container or valise for:

• Cracks
• Physical damage
• Corrosion
• Deformation
• Water ingress
• Damaged securing arrangements
• Missing identification markings

The container is important because it protects the packed liferaft from the marine environment.

2. Inflation and Leakage Testing

The liferaft is inflated according to the applicable servicing procedure.

Technicians inspect the inflated chambers and associated components for:

• Leakage
• Pressure loss
• Damage
• Abnormal deformation
• Valve problems
• Deterioration

Inflation and leakage checks are particularly important because defects may not be visible while the raft is packed.

Marinetech's liferaft service information includes inspection and maintenance, leak and damage checks, repacking and other liferaft servicing activities. (Marinetech)

3. Fabric and Seam Inspection

The inflatable fabric and seams are examined for deterioration, abrasion, cuts, delamination and other damage.

Areas exposed to repeated handling, moisture and environmental conditions require particular attention.

4. Inflation System Inspection

The inflation valves, gas system and associated components are examined according to the manufacturer's servicing procedure.

Where applicable, the condition of the CO2 cylinder and associated fittings is also checked.

5. Emergency Equipment Inspection

The liferaft's emergency equipment is checked against the applicable equipment requirements.

Depending on the liferaft type and pack, this may include:

• Paddles
• Sea anchor
• Rescue equipment
• First-aid equipment
• Signalling equipment
• Pyrotechnics
• Torches
• Food and water
• Repair equipment
• Survival equipment

Expired, damaged or missing equipment should be addressed according to the applicable requirements.

6. Hydrostatic Release Unit (HRU) Inspection

The Hydrostatic Release Unit (HRU) is an important part of the liferaft launching arrangement when fitted.

Its function is to release the liferaft automatically when the vessel sinks below the specified water depth.

DGS identifies HRUs as equipment requiring annual servicing. (Directorate General of Shipping)

Ship managers should therefore verify the HRU's:

• Installation
• Identification
• Validity
• Condition
• Replacement/service date
• Compatibility with the liferaft arrangement

7. Repacking of Liferaft

After the applicable inspection and servicing process has been completed, the liferaft is correctly repacked into its container or valise.

Correct repacking is important because the liferaft must be capable of being deployed effectively when required.

Liferaft Certification After Servicing

Liferaft servicing should be supported by appropriate documentation.

The servicing records should provide traceability between the vessel, liferaft and service operation.

Shipowners and managers should verify details such as:

• Vessel name
• IMO number
• Liferaft manufacturer
• Liferaft serial number
• Capacity
• Service date
• Next service due date
• Service station details
• Approval information
• Competent-person details where applicable
• HRU information
• Replaced components
• Inspection/service results

DGS states that servicing records containing service-station information, approval details, competent-person information and identification details should be retained onboard and made available for inspection. (Directorate General of Shipping)

Liferaft Service in Chennai and Ennore Port

For vessels calling at Chennai Port and Ennore/Kamarajar Port, liferaft servicing can be coordinated around vessel schedules, port calls, annual surveys and other planned maintenance activities.

Marinetech has published dedicated information covering lifeboat and liferaft servicing at Chennai and Ennore Port, including annual liferaft servicing, inflation and leak testing, equipment inspection, gas-system servicing, HRU checks, repacking and certificate issuance. (Marinetech)

For vessels operating through Chennai, arranging the required service before the equipment becomes overdue can help reduce operational disruption and provide adequate time to address defects or replacement requirements.

Choosing a Liferaft Service Company in Chennai

Shipowners should not select a liferaft service provider only on the basis of price or location.

Before booking a service, verify:

1. DGS Approval

Check whether the service station has the required approval for the relevant inflatable lifesaving appliance.

DGS maintains an approved service-station framework and publishes an updated list of approved life-raft service stations. (Directorate General of Shipping)

2. OEM Approval

The current DGS framework places importance on OEM-established or appropriately manufacturer-approved service stations and qualified service personnel for servicing different makes and models. (Directorate General of Shipping)

3. Competent Personnel

Confirm that servicing is performed under appropriately qualified and authorised personnel.

4. Service Documentation

Make sure the service provider can provide proper servicing documentation and traceability.

5. Manufacturer-Specific Requirements

Different liferaft manufacturers can have different servicing procedures and approved components. The service provider should be able to work according to the applicable OEM requirements.

Marinetech Safety Pvt. Ltd. is an India-based marine safety equipment servicing and supply company providing solutions for commercial vessels and maritime operators.

The company provides Life Raft Servicing and Inspection, including inspection, maintenance, repacking and applicable testing and certification-related services. (Marinetech)

View Marinetech's Life Raft Servicing & Inspection Service

Marinetech's marine safety service capabilities extend beyond liferafts and include lifesaving and firefighting equipment servicing, GMDSS, navigation and communication services, calibration and other marine technical services. (Marinetech)

Marinetech Liferaft Service Capabilities

Depending on the applicable equipment, manufacturer and approval scope, services can include:

• Annual liferaft servicing
• Liferaft inspection
• Liferaft inflation checks
• Leakage testing
• Liferaft maintenance
• Liferaft repacking
• Equipment-pack inspection
• HRU inspection
• HRU replacement where required
• Liferaft testing
• Documentation and certification
• Support for commercial vessels
• Marine safety equipment supply

For shipowners and managers, using one experienced marine safety service provider for multiple safety-equipment requirements can also simplify vessel maintenance coordination.

Liferaft Servicing for Commercial Vessels

Professional liferaft servicing can be relevant for:

• Bulk carriers
• Container ships
• Tankers
• General cargo vessels
• Offshore vessels
• Coastal vessels
• Commercial vessels
• Indian-flag vessels
• Foreign vessels operating in Indian waters

The exact servicing requirements should always be confirmed against the vessel's flag, class, liferaft manufacturer, approval requirements and applicable statutory regulations.

Liferaft Servicing and Port State Control

Liferafts can be examined during Flag State, Class and Port State Control inspections.

Potential concerns can include:

• Expired liferaft servicing
• Invalid HRU
• Damaged container
• Missing equipment
• Expired emergency supplies
• Incorrect identification
• Incomplete documentation
• Unapproved servicing
• Equipment condition inconsistent with required standards

DGS specifically states that service records must be retained onboard and available for inspection. (Directorate General of Shipping)

Maintaining accurate servicing records therefore forms an important part of the vessel's safety-management process.

8 Frequently Asked Questions About Liferaft Service in Chennai

1. How often should a liferaft be serviced in India?

For Indian-flag vessels, inflatable liferafts are currently required to be serviced at intervals of not more than 12 months at a DGS-approved LSA service station, subject to the applicable requirements. (Directorate General of Shipping)

2. Where can I arrange liferaft service in Chennai?

Shipowners and ship managers can arrange liferaft servicing through an appropriately approved service station covering the Chennai maritime region. The current approval status and scope should be verified before booking.

3. What is checked during liferaft servicing?

The service can include inspection of the container, inflatable chambers, fabric, seams, valves, inflation system, equipment pack, HRU and other applicable components.

4. Is liferaft certification required after servicing?

Proper servicing documentation is important for demonstrating that the equipment has undergone the required servicing process. Service records should be retained onboard and available for inspection when required. (Directorate General of Shipping)

5. What is an HRU on a liferaft?

A Hydrostatic Release Unit is designed to release a secured liferaft automatically when a sinking vessel reaches the specified depth. Its validity and condition should be checked as part of the applicable servicing requirements.

6. Can liferafts be serviced before their due date?

Yes. Shipowners and technical managers can schedule servicing in advance, particularly when a vessel has an upcoming port call, survey, dry docking or planned maintenance period.

7. Does the liferaft manufacturer matter when selecting a service station?

Yes. Liferaft servicing can involve manufacturer-specific procedures, components and approval requirements. The service provider should have the appropriate approval and capability for the particular make and model.

8. Does Marinetech Safety Pvt. Ltd. provide liferaft servicing?

Yes. Marinetech Safety Pvt. Ltd. provides Life Raft Servicing and Inspection as part of its marine safety equipment service capabilities. Its published service scope includes inspection, maintenance, repacking and related liferaft servicing activities. (Marinetech)

Related Blogs from Marinetech Safety Pvt. Ltd.

1. Lifeboat & Liferaft Servicing at Chennai & Ennore Port

A Chennai-specific guide covering lifeboat and liferaft servicing for ship operators, including annual servicing and inspection considerations at Chennai and Ennore. (Marinetech)

Read: Lifeboat & Liferaft Servicing at Chennai & Ennore Port

2. Liferaft Servicing in India 2026: Complete Guide for Ship Owners

A broader guide covering liferaft servicing requirements, service-station considerations and liferaft maintenance for shipowners operating in India. (Marinetech)

Read: Liferaft Servicing in India 2026

3. How to Choose a Liferaft Service Station in India

A useful resource for shipowners and managers comparing liferaft service stations, approvals, OEM requirements and servicing capabilities. (Marinetech)

Read: How to Choose a Liferaft Service Station in India

4. Where Can I Service Liferaft in India?

A location-focused guide covering liferaft servicing requirements and service availability across Indian maritime locations. (Marinetech)

Read: Where Can I Service Liferaft in India?

5. SOLAS Life Raft Supplier in India: Brands, Types & How to Order

Useful for shipowners who need to replace a condemned or unsuitable liferaft and require the correct capacity, configuration and SOLAS-compliant equipment.

Read: SOLAS Life Raft Supplier in India

6. Marine Fire Extinguisher Servicing Before Safety Survey

A related marine safety article for vessel operators preparing firefighting equipment for surveys and inspections. (Marinetech)

Read: Marine Fire Extinguisher Servicing Before Safety Survey

Request Liferaft Service in Chennai

Keeping a liferaft within its required service interval is an important part of maintaining the vessel's emergency preparedness.

If your vessel is calling at Chennai, Ennore/Kamarajar Port or another Indian port, plan liferaft inspection and servicing before the equipment becomes overdue.

For professional Life Raft Servicing and Inspection, contact:

Marinetech Safety Pvt. Ltd.
Phone: +91 72270 38216 | +91 79 7743 0002
Email: info@marinetechss.com

Request Life Raft Servicing & Inspection