SOLAS Chapter III: Liferaft Requirements for Merchant Ships

For every merchant ship, life-saving appliances are critical equipment designed to protect crew and passengers during emergencies such as fire, collision, grounding, flooding or abandonment of the vessel. Among these appliances, liferafts play a vital role as survival craft when evacuation from the vessel becomes necessary.

The requirements for liferafts carried onboard merchant ships are primarily governed by the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), Chapter III – Life-Saving Appliances and Arrangements, together with the International Life-Saving Appliance (LSA) Code.

For shipowners, ship managers, technical superintendents and vessel operators, understanding these requirements is essential not only for crew safety but also for maintaining statutory compliance and avoiding deficiencies during Flag State inspections, Port State Control (PSC) inspections, class surveys and safety audits.

In this guide, we explain the important SOLAS Chapter III liferaft requirements for merchant ships, liferaft capacity and arrangements, servicing requirements, inspection considerations and how professional liferaft servicing helps maintain emergency readiness.

What Is SOLAS Chapter III?

SOLAS Chapter III establishes requirements for life-saving appliances and arrangements carried on ships.

The chapter covers a wide range of equipment, including:

• Lifeboats
• Liferafts
• Rescue boats
• Lifejackets
• Immersion suits
• Lifebuoys
• Marine evacuation systems
• Launching appliances
• Embarkation arrangements
• Other life-saving appliances

The technical requirements for many of these appliances are contained in the International LSA Code, which is mandatory under SOLAS.

The LSA Code provides detailed requirements relating to the construction, performance, equipment and arrangements of survival craft and other life-saving appliances.

For merchant ships, therefore, liferaft compliance should be considered from two perspectives:

1. SOLAS Chapter III statutory requirements
2. Technical requirements of the International LSA Code

1. Liferaft Capacity Must Be Adequate

One of the most important considerations is the capacity of the survival craft.

The liferaft arrangement must provide sufficient survival-craft capacity for the persons onboard as required by the applicable SOLAS provisions.

Depending on the vessel configuration, liferafts may be arranged on different sides of the ship and may be associated with launching appliances or other approved arrangements.

The objective is to ensure that personnel have an effective means of abandoning the vessel and entering survival craft during an emergency.

Why Is Liferaft Capacity Important?

Incorrect or insufficient capacity can become a serious safety and compliance issue.

During vessel inspections, ship operators should verify:

• Number of persons onboard
• Approved liferaft capacity
• Number of liferafts
• Location of each liferaft
• Port and starboard survival-craft arrangements
• Launching arrangements where applicable
• Stowage position
• Accessibility
• Hydrostatic release arrangements
• Valid servicing status

Any change in crew complement or vessel configuration should be reviewed against the approved safety equipment arrangements.

2. Liferafts Must Be Properly Stowed

Liferafts must be arranged so that they can be readily available for use in an emergency.

Correct stowage is essential because even a fully serviceable liferaft becomes ineffective if it cannot be released or launched when required.

Important stowage considerations include:

• Secure attachment
• Correct securing arrangements
• Accessibility
• Proper location
• Clear deployment area
• Correct painter arrangement
• Hydrostatic release arrangement where applicable
• Protection from damage
• Correct identification and markings

The liferaft should not be obstructed by cargo, equipment or structural modifications that could interfere with deployment.

3. Hydrostatic Release Units and Liferaft Deployment

Where liferafts are arranged for automatic release, the Hydrostatic Release Unit (HRU) is an important component of the deployment arrangement.

The HRU is designed to release the liferaft container or securing arrangement when a vessel sinks and reaches the required water pressure.

Ship operators should verify:

• HRU approval
• Installation condition
• Correct connection
• Expiry/replacement date
• Weak link condition
• Correct securing arrangement
• Manufacturer instructions

An expired or incorrectly installed HRU can compromise the intended automatic release arrangement.

Therefore, HRU inspection should form part of the vessel's life-saving appliance maintenance programme.

4. Liferaft Equipment Must Meet Applicable Requirements

A SOLAS liferaft is not simply an inflatable survival chamber.

It is supplied with a range of survival equipment intended to support persons until rescue.

Depending on the applicable liferaft type and equipment pack, items can include:

• Paddles
• Buoyant rescue knife
• Bailer
• Sponge
• Sea anchor
• Repair kit
• Inflation pump or bellows where applicable
• Waterproof torch
• First-aid equipment
• Signalling equipment
• Pyrotechnic distress signals
• Drinking water
• Food rations
• Thermal protective aids
• Fishing equipment
• Radar reflector or equivalent equipment where applicable

The exact equipment configuration should always be checked against the approved liferaft specification, applicable LSA Code requirements, manufacturer instructions and Flag State requirements.

During servicing, expired, damaged or missing items should be identified and replaced with approved equipment as applicable.

5. Liferaft Servicing Is a Critical SOLAS Maintenance Requirement

A liferaft may remain packed inside its container for months without being deployed.

This does not mean that it remains automatically ready for use.

Marine environmental conditions can affect:

• Fabric
• Seams
• Valves
• Inflation system
• CO2 cylinder
• Container
• Canopy
• Floor
• Painter
• Survival equipment
• HRU
• Other associated components

For this reason, inflatable liferafts require periodic servicing at an approved servicing station in accordance with applicable requirements.

SOLAS Regulation III/20 contains requirements relating to operational readiness, maintenance and inspections of life-saving appliances, including servicing arrangements for inflatable liferafts.

6. What Happens During Liferaft Servicing?

Professional liferaft servicing normally involves a systematic inspection, testing, maintenance and repacking process.

The exact procedure depends on the liferaft manufacturer, model, approval and applicable servicing requirements.

A typical service may include:

Step 1 – Identification and Documentation

The liferaft is identified using information such as:

• Manufacturer
• Model
• Serial number
• Capacity
• Manufacturing information
• Previous service details
• Service station records

The service history is reviewed before opening the liferaft.

Step 2 – Container Inspection

The container or valise is examined for:

• Cracks
• Damage
• Corrosion
• UV deterioration
• Fastener problems
• Identification markings
• Securing arrangements

Step 3 – Inflation

The liferaft is inflated in a controlled servicing environment.

Technicians examine:

• Buoyancy chambers
• Valves
• Seams
• Fabric
• Canopy
• Floor
• Boarding arrangements
• Internal and external components

Step 4 – Leak and Pressure Checks

The inflated raft is checked for pressure retention and leakage according to the applicable servicing procedure.

This helps identify defects that may not be visible during a simple external inspection.

Step 5 – CO2 Inflation System Inspection

The inflation system and cylinder are examined as applicable.

Checks can include:

• Cylinder condition
• Weight
• Valve condition
• Connection
• Corrosion
• Expiry or test status
• Manufacturer requirements

Step 6 – Emergency Equipment Inspection

The equipment pack is opened and checked.

Expired, missing or damaged items are replaced as required.

Step 7 – Repairs

If defects are identified, repairs should be performed using appropriate manufacturer-approved procedures, materials and components.

Step 8 – Cleaning, Drying and Repacking

After completion of the servicing procedure, the liferaft is properly dried, folded and repacked according to the manufacturer's approved procedure.

Step 9 – Sealing and Certification

The serviced liferaft is sealed and relevant service documentation/certification is issued in accordance with the applicable requirements.

7. Liferaft Servicing Frequency

The servicing interval for an inflatable liferaft should be determined according to SOLAS requirements, applicable IMO servicing guidelines, manufacturer instructions and the requirements of the Administration/Flag State.

For most conventional inflatable liferafts on merchant ships, annual servicing at an approved service station is the normal maintenance requirement.

Shipowners should not rely solely on the date printed on an old certificate.

The vessel's planned maintenance system should track:

• Liferaft service due date
• HRU replacement date
• Liferaft certificate
• Manufacturer requirements
• Emergency equipment expiry dates
• Other associated inspection requirements

For vessels with upcoming PSC inspections, Flag State surveys, class surveys or SMC/DOC-related audits, the life-saving appliance records should be reviewed in advance.

8. Why Approved Liferaft Servicing Matters

Liferaft servicing should not be treated simply as a certificate-renewal exercise.

The objective is to verify that the liferaft can perform its intended safety function.

Using an appropriate approved service station helps ensure that:

• Correct servicing procedures are followed
• Trained technicians conduct the inspection
• Manufacturer requirements are considered
• Defects are identified
• Expired equipment is replaced
• Liferafts are correctly repacked
• Service documentation is maintained
• Statutory compliance can be demonstrated

For shipowners and ship managers, choosing the correct service provider is therefore an important part of the vessel's safety management system.

SOLAS Liferaft Requirements and Port State Control

Port State Control officers may examine life-saving appliances during vessel inspections.

Potential areas of concern can include:

• Expired liferaft servicing
• Damaged liferaft container
• Incorrect stowage
• Defective securing arrangements
• Expired HRU
• Missing equipment
• Damaged liferaft fabric
• Defective inflation arrangements
• Incomplete maintenance records
• Incorrect certification
• Obstructed launching arrangements

A vessel's life-saving appliances should therefore be maintained in a condition that allows them to be immediately used in an emergency.

Regular inspection and proper documentation can significantly reduce the risk of avoidable deficiencies.

Marinetech Safety Pvt. Ltd. – Liferaft Servicing in India

Marinetech Safety Pvt. Ltd. provides marine safety equipment servicing and supply solutions for shipowners, ship managers, operators and vessels calling at ports across India.

Our liferaft service capabilities include:

• Liferaft annual servicing
• Liferaft inspection
• Inflation and pressure testing
• Liferaft repacking
• Emergency equipment inspection
• CO2 cylinder inspection
• HRU inspection/replacement as applicable
• Liferaft repairs
• Floor seam testing where applicable
• NAP testing where applicable
• GI testing where applicable
• Service documentation and certification

Marinetech's liferaft servicing operation is supported by class and manufacturer approvals for applicable liferaft makes and models.

Our service information identifies approvals/recognition involving major classification societies and manufacturer approvals for various liferaft brands.

For shipowners and managers looking for liferaft servicing in India, our service network supports vessels calling at major Indian maritime locations.

Liferaft Servicing Locations

Depending on vessel requirements and service arrangements, Marinetech supports customers around major Indian ports including:

• Mumbai
• JNPT / Nhava Sheva
• Mundra
• Kandla
• Hazira
• Dahej
• Surat
• Sikka
• Vadinar
• Pipavav
• Goa
• Mangalore
• Kochi
• Chennai
• Ennore
• Visakhapatnam
• Kakinada
• Paradip
• Haldia
• Kolkata
• Other Indian ports as required

For detailed information about our capabilities, inspection process, approvals and service locations, visit the Marinetech Safety Pvt. Ltd. Liferaft Servicing service page.

Frequently Asked Questions About SOLAS Liferaft Requirements

1. What SOLAS chapter covers liferaft requirements?

Liferaft requirements for ships are primarily covered under SOLAS Chapter III – Life-Saving Appliances and Arrangements, together with the mandatory International LSA Code.

2. How often should an inflatable liferaft be serviced?

Inflatable liferafts on merchant ships are generally serviced at 12-month intervals by an appropriately approved service station, subject to applicable SOLAS/IMO requirements, manufacturer instructions and Flag State requirements.

3. What is checked during liferaft servicing?

Depending on the liferaft type and applicable procedure, servicing can include inspection of the container, inflation system, buoyancy chambers, seams, valves, floor, canopy, CO2 cylinder, emergency equipment, painter, sea anchor, HRU and other applicable components.

4. Is liferaft servicing required by SOLAS?

Yes. SOLAS Chapter III includes requirements for the maintenance, inspection and servicing of life-saving appliances, including inflatable liferafts. Applicable IMO servicing guidelines and manufacturer requirements should also be followed.

5. What is the International LSA Code?

The International Life-Saving Appliance (LSA) Code provides detailed technical requirements for life-saving appliances covered by SOLAS, including survival craft such as liferafts and lifeboats.

6. What is an HRU on a liferaft?

An HRU, or Hydrostatic Release Unit, is a device used in applicable liferaft arrangements to release the liferaft from its securing arrangement when the vessel sinks to a specified depth, allowing the raft to float free.

7. Can any marine company service a SOLAS liferaft?

Liferaft servicing should be performed by an appropriately approved/authorized service station using qualified personnel and procedures applicable to the liferaft's manufacturer, model and approval requirements.

8. Where does Marinetech Safety Pvt. Ltd. provide liferaft servicing?

Marinetech supports liferaft servicing requirements at major Indian maritime locations, including Mumbai, JNPT, Mundra, Kandla, Hazira, Dahej, Chennai, Ennore, Visakhapatnam, Paradip and other ports depending on vessel and service requirements.