Collection: Inflatable Life Rafts

A life raft is one of the most important pieces of safety equipment on any boat. At Morgan Marine, we stock inflatable life rafts from Seago and Ocean Safety - two of the most trusted names in marine safety - with capacities from 4-man to 14-man and a range of pack types to suit different vessels and voyages.

From coastal day sailing to offshore passages, the right life raft can save lives. That starts with choosing the right one before you ever leave the dock.

What is a life raft?

A life raft is an inflatable emergency vessel designed to keep people alive at sea if the main boat sinks, catches fire, or becomes unseaworthy. Unlike a dinghy, a life raft is a last resort - it inflates automatically via a CO2 cylinder when deployed, and is typically equipped with a canopy, buoyancy chambers, a drogue, and basic survival equipment such as flares, a bailer, and a repair kit.

Modern life rafts are built to strict international standards, with ISO 9650 being the benchmark for recreational vessels. They're designed to be as passive as possible - keeping survivors sheltered, visible, and stable until rescue arrives.

Container vs Valise life rafts

Life rafts come in two main pack types, each suited to different storage setups and vessel types.

Valise life rafts are packed into a soft, carry-style bag. Compact and portable, they can be stowed below deck in a locker, making them a practical choice for smaller boats or where deck space is limited. The trade-off is that in an emergency, they must be retrieved and brought on deck before deployment.

Container life rafts are housed in a rigid GRP or fibreglass cannister, mounted on deck in a cradle with a hydrostatic release. If the vessel sinks rapidly, the hydrostatic release triggers automatically at around 4 metres depth, inflating and freeing the raft without any manual intervention. For offshore sailing and bluewater passages, a container raft with a hydrostatic release is considered best practice.

For more information, see our blog 'Valise or Container Liferaft'

What size life raft do I need?

Life raft capacity should match the maximum number of people on board - never less. Oversizing is generally preferable to undersizing, as a larger raft provides more comfort and stability for survivors awaiting rescue.

4 to 6-man life rafts are suited to small yachts, motorboats and coastal cruisers with a typical crew of two to four. Compact enough for a cockpit locker or transom bracket, they offer a practical solution without taking over your deck space.

8 to 10-man life rafts are a versatile choice for charter boats, family cruisers and larger sailing yachts where crew numbers can vary. Carrying a raft rated for more than your typical crew gives a meaningful safety margin.

12 to 14-man life rafts are designed for larger vessels, commercial operations and situations where a substantial number of people need to be accommodated. Robust construction and larger survival packs reflect the demands of extended offshore use.

Our life raft range

We stock a carefully selected range of life rafts built to meet ISO 9650-1 and SOLAS standards, from trusted manufacturers who take survival equipment seriously.

The Seago Sea Cruiser Plus ISO 9650-1 is built to the demanding ISO 9650-1 standard for offshore use in sea temperatures above 0°C. A twin-tube buoyancy chamber, automatic boarding ladder and comprehensive SOLAS B pack make it a dependable choice for bluewater sailors who want proven offshore credentials without compromising on value.

The Seago Sea Master Plus offers a step up in specification for demanding offshore passages. With enhanced survival equipment and robust construction, it's built for the conditions where reliability matters most.

The Jonbuoy EVAC is a compact, lightweight coastal life raft designed for rapid deployment in an emergency. Ideal for motorboats, RIBs and day boats operating in sheltered or inshore waters, where a full offshore raft would be impractical.

The Ocean Safety ISO Ultralite is engineered for weight-conscious offshore sailors. A lightweight valise pack combined with ISO 9650-1 certification makes it a popular choice for racing sailors and those where every kilogram counts.

Do life rafts contain flares?

Most life rafts come with a survival pack that includes pyrotechnic flares - typically hand-held distress flares and parachute rocket flares. The exact contents depend on the specification of the raft: SOLAS A and SOLAS B packs carry different quantities and types of equipment, with SOLAS A being the more comprehensive of the two, required for commercial vessels on international voyages.

For recreational sailors, SOLAS B or ISO-compliant packs are standard. It's worth checking what's included with your specific raft and supplementing with additional pyrotechnics if your intended passages demand it. Flares have a limited shelf life - typically three years - so factor replacement costs into your servicing schedule.

How to launch a life raft

Deploying a life raft correctly in an emergency is critical. The basic process is as follows:

Secure the painter line (the cord connecting the raft to the vessel) to a strong point on the boat before throwing the canister or bag overboard. Once in the water, give the painter line a firm tug to activate the CO2 inflation system - the raft will inflate within seconds. Board the raft from the water if possible to avoid capsizing it, and cut the painter line once everyone is safely aboard. If the raft inflates upside down, it can be righted using the righting strap on the underside of the canopy.

Practising these steps - ideally as part of a formal sea survival course - could make all the difference in a real emergency. The RNLI and RYA both offer practical safety training well worth completing before any offshore passage.

How long does a life raft last?

Life rafts require regular servicing to remain in date and fit for use. Most manufacturers recommend annual or biennial servicing, during which the raft is unpacked, inspected, the CO2 cylinder checked, and the survival pack restocked with in-date equipment including flares and rations. A well-maintained life raft can remain in service for many years - some models have a maximum service life of 12 years from the date of manufacture.

Servicing must be carried out by an approved service station.

How many life rafts are required on a vessel?

For recreational sailing, the requirement depends on the type of vessel, the waters you're sailing in, and any relevant category or class rules. In the UK, most privately owned pleasure craft are not legally required to carry a life raft for coastal sailing - but it is strongly recommended for any offshore passage beyond 3 miles from shore.

For vessels operating commercially, MCA coding requirements apply, and the number of life rafts must be sufficient to accommodate all persons on board. If you're racing, the relevant notice of race and ISAF/World Sailing special regulations will specify exactly what's required for your category of race. Always check the regulations applicable to your vessel type and intended waters before setting off.