Why a life raft on a rib?

smokie · 12 February 2005, 16:47

There are those that recommend one carry a life raft aboard a rib. Can't visualize under what circumstances that would help. A flip? Multiple punctures?

codprawn · 12 February 2005, 16:57

The MAIN reason is because the proffesional boatman's association complained that they had to carry them and yet people carrying passengers on Ribs didn't!!!

They take up space - are difficult to mount properly and are useless if you flip over anyway! About the only use I could see for them would be in the case of fire.

David Hickman · 12 February 2005, 17:57

I would probably only use mine is a fire situation. Stay with the boat in any other situation.

MarkWildey · 12 February 2005, 18:17

If your boat sinks is one reason?

Just cus you are in a RIB doesn't mean they don't sink.

MArk

smokie · 12 February 2005, 18:38

If we go with that premise, then I guess a life raft can sink.

Action Man · 12 February 2005, 20:09

yes but what are the chances of both of them sinking

mstacey · 12 February 2005, 20:39

The way my week has gone, The chance of both is HIGH

Action Man · 12 February 2005, 21:08

lol

but on a serious note it is all about removing probbable risk, as in one rope is better than 2, what are the chances of a steeple jacks rope snapping (not very high) but they have two just in case. what are the chances of both snapping even less.

Chris Martin · 12 February 2005, 21:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Action Man

as in one rope is better than 2,

Really?

catjasp · 12 February 2005, 21:38

You don't need a liferaft to be a private boater (yet!) but you do need one if you want to operate your boat commercially. So in that scenario it doesn't matter why, You just go get one and hopefully you will never need it!. The only good reason I can see for using a Liferaft is fire or a Fkkn shark jumping in the rib!

On a private basis I tend not to carry mine if I am alone in the Solent but I certainly would if I was going into strange waters

smokie · 12 February 2005, 22:11

As a side note, and I do want to continue the discussion on life rafts. But since
the subject of fire came up. Does everyone agree that the possibility of a fire on a rib with a diesel inboard is much less likely than one with petrol outboards?

mstacey · 12 February 2005, 22:56

Does everyone agree that the possibility of a fire on a rib with a diesel inboard is much less likely than one with petrol outboards?

Dunno, But don't insurers insist the engine compartment is fitted with fire exrenguisher ?

Action Man · 12 February 2005, 22:59

don't know about insurers but the MCA do for coded vessels

catjasp · 12 February 2005, 23:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by smokie

Does everyone agree that the possibility of a fire on a rib with a diesel inboard is much less likely than one with petrol outboards?

I'd certainly agree that the possibility of an explosion as a result of fire with a diesel would be much less likely. the reasons for the fire breaking out wouldn't be much different!

Brambles · 13 February 2005, 00:32

Here's a question for you experienced offshore ribsters & safety experts:

Where would you store your life raft?

Lashing it securely to the deck seems to be the obvious place, but what hapens if the boat is flipped over? Would it be possible to deploy it?

Cheers.

Ian.

Brian · 13 February 2005, 09:27

Brambles
Surely the answer to that one, is the same as how they do it on a proper boat.
It is lashed securely, but with "instant", "breakfree" lashings. Once the liferaft is free of the boat, you then pull the appropriate bit of rope and Robert becomes your very close relative!

Failing that, you could always put one of these on the back of your rib.

Jimbob · 13 February 2005, 09:54

I may be re-iterating a few things here

Firstly if the boat is used for pleasure then you don’t need one , in fact the rules states that none of the new coding rules need to be followed (MCA 3.1.3). So I’m not sure that you even need to fit a radar reflector

What I would say about the code/ codes, e.g MCA and local ports versions respectively, they are basically the same. So if you are going to use for commercial then you will need a liferaft.

With regards to carrying one, I think the two key problems/concerns are to do with purchasing one (price) and where to fit.

Action Man · 13 February 2005, 10:30

Isupose on a desil inboard you could mount it on the engine cover, but that would cause issue with fire.

I have seen them mounted on a sturdy double A-frame behind the horseshoe life-rings. seems as gooder place as any

tcwozere · 13 February 2005, 11:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by catjasp

On a private basis I tend not to carry mine if I am alone in the Solent but I certainly would if I was going into strange waters

Chichester Harbour??

Some of the older Admiralty Charts still say "Here be dragons" at the entrance..

codprawn · 13 February 2005, 13:56

Don't like the idea of mounting a liferaft on the A frame - too much weight high up more likely to cause a flip.

As to mountings designed to break free remember a RIB is subjected to much higher g force than a normal boat. If they are strong enough to survive the pounding the chances are they won't break free when you need them to.

As to the very rare occassions when you will need one what about other bits of kit. Maybe the money would be better spent on an EPIRB or even a defribillator.

In other words where do you draw the line as what is useful to carry and what isn't???