Life raft alternative

[biffer]

A thought. If you put a hydrostatic inflator on an inflatable tender could you get away with a life raft on a coded boat. Would only mean a grab bag with the first aid etc attached to it

[CJL]

Worth an ask but I doubt they would go for it.

Chris

[Nos4r2]

Maybe more likely if it was a full liferaft jobbie like the old Tinker Tramp liferaft conversions?

[biffer]

Think about it though, a tender is more robust, you could put an engine on it, you can still have the canopy, first aid etc, would save some space and having duplicate gear on board

[CJL]

Double floor for insulation?
Sinking hull to make it more stable?

[Christopher]

Originally Posted by biffer

A thought. If you put a hydrostatic inflator on an inflatable tender could you get away with a life raft on a coded boat. Would only mean a grab bag with the first aid etc attached to it

Bif, for about 30 years we built the Tinker Inflatables and in the late 70's developed the optional lifeboat system, which had CO2 system for inflation of the main tubes, an inflatable canopy, and sea anchor. It was accepted by various race authorities including RORC, and New Zealand equivalent as an alternative to a traditional life raft. About 3,000 systems were sold, but as with all things the beurocrats in Brussels made it virtually impossible for us to continue selling it and as a result we could no longer get product liability insurance cover.

The user liked the system because they used the tender almost everyday, and when making a passage could pack the tender together with the lifeboat system. In effect the user was responsible for "packing his own parachute". Together with their own "Panic Bag" they new everything about the lifeboat, and could row,motor, or even sail with a jury rig to safety. You can't do that in a liferaft!!!

Hydrostatic release would not really work on such a system, as the first green wave that came aboard would activate the inflation.

[biffer]

Bugger, all the good ideas are shot down by the EU, I know that we don't getting into politics on here, but it would be nice to be able to run our own country, with English values, and everything that that entails, last time I looked we were still the British isles and not an annexe of Brussels

[Poly]

Originally Posted by biffer

Bugger, all the good ideas are shot down by the EU, I know that we don't getting into politics on here, but it would be nice to be able to run our own country, with English values, and everything that that entails, last time I looked we were still the British isles and not an annexe of Brussels

MGN280 is not an EU standard - its UK rules made by UK bureaucrats! The spec required for a liferaft (on Cat 2-6 vessels [i.e. most ribs] operating in UK "Search and Rescue Area") is "the liferafts provided should be constructed to SOLAS standard, Wheelmarked or DfT approved, have insulated floor and canopy and be equipped with a “SOLAS [B] pack”" OR "built to the International Sailing Federation (ISAF), Offshore Special Regulations (OSR) Appendix A Part 2 requirements". I assume that rules our DIY creations.

[willk]

Surely you mean ENGLISH rules Poly?

I think biffer forgot his Winterval gifts when he was in robbing the Politics off this fella....

[biffer]

With respect Poly. Am I going to believe the manufacturer. Who I've known for over 15 years. Or you. Not a tough decision really