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Table 1: Fittings of the Liferaft
FITTINGS
Lines, ropes, painters,
bands.
Weatherproof, rot-proof, medium affected by oil/hydrocarbons. Attached to
the life raft’s body in a way that they don’t hurt the liferaft accidentally.
Painter line (12m)
The portion of it coming out of the container is light resistant.
External & internal lifelines
Proper for being grasped, they don’t slide from hands.
Righting device
Used by one person in order to right the liferaft when capsized.
Sea anchor (30m line)
Connected to the liferaft by a 30 meters long line.
Buoyant rescue quoit (with
30m line)
Inside the liferaft, next to an entrance. Attached to a buoyant, 30 meters long
line, whose free end is attached to the liferaft.
Safety knife
In the side of the entrance to the connection of the painter to the raft. Con
-
nected to the liferaft by a line of a suitable length. Buoyant, with fixed blade,
rounded tips (so no damage is created to the liferaft in any case)
Retro-reflective material
Fitted on the canopy and on the floor external part
Internal & External lights
They turn on automatically when they are in contact with water or during the
inflation of the liferaft. During the day, the lights should be turn off.
3. Instructions for use of the Liferaft
When the time to use the liferaft comes, first of all you should send alarms and signals
by all means and put on lifejackets or other protective appliances on ship. You should also
remember to carry emergency position indicator, GPS, fresh water and food as much as
possible.
Make sure than the liferaft is attached to a solid point of the boat. Then, free the liferaft
from any possible belts or any other attachment. If the liferaft is in valise, never open the
package using the zip.
Take the container (canister/valise) and throw it into the water. The container of the
liferaft will float.
During the time of the canister falling into the water, the painter line will be pulled out
continuously. When the container arrives at the water surface, the pulling out of painter line
shall go on immediately, until the release cable connected to the painter line activates the
operation head of the cylinder. The cylinder gas will then inflate the buoyancy tube of the
liferaft to its full shape and the liferaft will float on the water surface. After the inflation, a
small normal air escape from the pressure relief valves of the liferaft may occur in order to
stabilize the chambers pressure. If the liferaft is in upward-floating position after it is fully
inflated, pull the painter line to draw the liferaft close to the ship. If the liferaft is in reversed
position after it is fully inflated, one person shall right it over to upward-floating position in
the following way:
