Launching and boarding
Launching a liferaft
- Check the painter (the line) is made fast to a strong point on the ship.
- Release the raft from its cradle and throw it over the side to leeward.
- Pull the painter hard to fire the gas bottle and inflate the raft.
- Board it as dry as possible — from the ship if you can — and help others aboard, then cut the painter and clear the ship.
A liferaft is stowed in a canister and inflates when its painter is pulled, provided the painter is first secured to the ship. Survivors board it as dry as possible, ideally straight from the ship, and once everyone is aboard the painter is cut clear of the sinking vessel and the raft moved away. Lifeboats, where fitted, are launched by davits and boarded before launching. Whatever the craft, the survivor should know how it launches, how to board it, and how to right a capsized raft, because these are the actions that turn equipment into survival.
WARNING — Secure the painter before launching the raft Always confirm the raft's painter is made fast to the ship before throwing the canister over, or the inflated raft will drift away. The painter both holds the raft and fires its inflation.
TIP — Board dry and clear the ship Board the raft as dry as possible to conserve warmth, and once everyone is aboard cut the painter and move clear of the sinking ship, which can drag a raft down or foul it as it goes.