Automatically Inflatable Dinghy or Liferaft?

[ballystick 72]

For Cat 3 it appears that an automatically inflatable dinghy painted with Do not overinflate is acceptable. So does this mean that an out of date liferaft can be used if called a dinghy?

[paulajayne 0]

"out of date" - How much is your life worth - or the lives of your crew and guests worth.

[ballystick 72]

For out of date doesn't mean unsafe, when you take apart and inspect these raft they look to be in as new condition and they don't need to be full of items that are not needed for Cat 3 races, as it seems that the inspections can be done, to a level far higher than is required and it costs you a fortune. As well as that there is a conflict of yearly or two yearly inspections that are needed depending on who is doing it? Also, some Cat 3 liferafts are like a paddling pool??  No roof/cover - what's with that?

[Battleship 100]

Good point Bally, looks like a bit of a loophole really. If you have a proper raft it has to be inspected but a self inflating dingy doesn't.

Seems a bit off.

[ballystick 72]

I have brought this up because some liferafts are sold as Cat 3 but have no overhead covering so are much like a paddling pool so they must be an inflatable dinghy?? They are much cheaper to get inspected plus less weighty and bulky, which is good in that you are much more likely to have them on your boat during normal usage and combined with a readily available grab bag full of safety gear such as flares that are current and don't have to be duplicated for the Cat 3 & raft certification. 

[Changed 10]

The question that I keep asking is 'if I am getting in to it which would I prefer. When you need a like raft that's what you need. The wind chill in a cat 3 raft would be significant as would the bailing issue. Owning a raft and getting it serviced is still the cheapest option in the long run. It doesn't take many hires to cover the servicing costs. Mine has to be serviced every three years. get it packed to cat 3 and have a grab bag with the items required for cat 2. Rafts are the same price that they were 7 -8 years ago so are relatively cheaper than they were.

 

I always like to look of the 2.4m inflatable dinghy on the stern and the six people on the rail and wonder. As a side issue all skippers have a personal responsibility for the safety of all crew. That's just not when racing.It's then that any arrangements we have in place will be tested.

[raz88 96]

To me it depends on purpose. A lot of the boats I come across carry a raft for 4 races a year. The coastal and the ssanz triple series. Given those races tend to be in big fleets, and are pretty closely watched by coastguard, assuming you have a grab bag with appropriate communication equipment, then a topless raft/self inflating dinghy seems a good option.

 

Worst case is something like a container strike. Keel stays on, big hole torn in the hull. Boat goes down in a minute. Surely in that case the important thing is to get something that is easily deployable and will keep you and the crew afloat for an hour or two, as rescue is likely to be reasonably soon.

 

But, if you plan on doing rni/rnz, where its conceivable rescue could be a long time off after activating the epirb, or going to remote locations cruising, a fully roofed raft that you could survive in heavy weather for extended periods is probably preferable.

[ballystick 72]

Hi Changed, what make is your raft and who services it? Mine was yearly checks and when serviced it was overstocked despite specifying for Cat 3. It was a valise type from Safety at Sea I think.