Liferafts have come a long way since the days of bulky wooden boats. Back in the early days, lifeboats were huge, heavy and powered by oars or paddles – not exactly easy to manoeuvre, especially in an emergency. While they did the job, they took up loads of space and needed a full crew to operate properly.
The Titanic era – A wake-up call
If there was ever a moment that changed maritime safety forever, it was the sinking of the Titanic in 1912. The ship had lifeboats, but not nearly enough for everyone onboard. Even the ones it had were tricky to launch, relying on pulley systems. This disaster led to major changes in safety laws, forcing ships to carry enough life-saving equipment and paving the way for better, more efficient lifeboat and liferaft designs.
Fast forward to the mid-20th century, and inflatable liferafts completely changed the game. Instead of heavy, bulky boats, these rafts were lightweight, easy to store and could be deployed in seconds. They quickly became the go-to for both leisure and commercial vessels, offering a practical, space-saving solution for emergency situations.
Modern liferafts
Today’s liferafts, like those in Ocean Safety’s range, are all about safety, durability and smart design. They’re built to be compact and lightweight while still being tough enough to handle the roughest conditions at sea. Thanks to constant innovation, modern liferafts are easier than ever to store, deploy and – most importantly – trust when you need them most.
Ocean Safety’s liferaft range
We’ve got a liferaft for every type of adventure, whether you’re heading out for a weekend sail or running a commercial vessel:
- Leisure liferafts – Perfect for coastal and offshore sailing, these are lightweight, easy to launch and packed with essential features like insulated floors, high-visibility canopies and automatic inflation.
- Commercial liferafts – Built for serious conditions, these liferafts meet top safety standards and are designed to handle bigger capacities, extreme weather and long-term durability.
- ISO and SOLAS liferafts – If you need a liferaft that meets international safety regulations, our ISO and SOLAS-approved models have got you covered, whether for coded or non-coded vessels.
The future of liferafts
Liferafts are continuing to evolve, with new tech making them even lighter, more stable and easier to spot during a rescue. At Ocean Safety, we’re always pushing the limits to make sure you have the most reliable life-saving equipment out there.
No matter what kind of boating you do, having a top-quality liferaft onboard is a must. Check out our full range at Ocean Safety and make sure you’re always prepared for whatever the sea throws your way.