Revere 45-AE4V, Service Manual

Page: 45 / 234

OPERATION
July 13/11
9101
2 - 17
It is CRITICAL that the container is not thrown overboard without FIRST having been secured to a
strong point on the ship. If this instruction is not observed, the container may be lost, and/or
personnel may be pulled overboard with the container.
Caution: DO NOT attempt to unpack and inflate the liferaft on deck; this may damage or
puncture the liferaft. ALWAYS insure that the liferaft is inflated in the water.
Note: The above instructions apply to both liferafts stored in containers and valises.
When the boat is to be abandoned, carry the packed valise/container to the side selected for launching.
If using a valise, locate the end of the painterline, stowed under a flap at one corner of the valise. If
using a rigid container, locate the eye-end of the painterline which projects from one end of the
container. In either case, secure the painterline to a strong point at the side of the craft, e.g., a
handrail. (See Fig. 5)
With the painterline properly secured, throw the packed valise/container into the water. Grasp the
painterline and pull it continuously until all of the line is pulled from the pack. Finally give the line a
series of sharp jerks to initiate inflation. As inflation occurs, the force exerted by the inflating liferaft
breaks open the valise/container. The arch-tube fully inflates while simultaneously raising the weather
canopy. When inflation is complete, the liferaft is ready for boarding. Full inflation is achieved in 30 to
60 seconds.
In the rare event that the liferaft should inflate upside down, it can be righted by a survivor in the
water pulling the liferaft over using the righting strap fitted to the underside of the floor.
The floating knife stowed in a compartment on the canopy is used when it becomes necessary to sever
the painterline and free the liferaft from the abandoned ship.
As the buoyancy of the liferaft is greater than the strength of the painterline, there is no danger of the
liferaft be dragged down if the abandoned boat quickly sinks. The line will break, allowing the liferaft
to float freely on the surface.