Life rafts on yachts: SOLAS or ISO, capacity and service intervals

Commercial yachts of 24 metres and more under the Red Ensign need SOLAS life rafts built to the IMO Life-Saving Appliances Code, serviced at least every 12 months. ISO 9650 rafts are made for recreational boats up to 24 metres; manufacturers give them service intervals of up to three years.

Which raft a yacht needs depends on its size, whether it is used commercially, how far it goes from a safe haven and its flag. Here are the rules and the manufacturer figures, each with its source.

What is the difference between a SOLAS and an ISO life raft?

Further points from the LSA Code: without a launching appliance, a SOLAS raft including container and equipment may weigh at most 185 kg; the hydrostatic release must free it at no more than 4 metres depth. The full equipment pack is marked "SOLAS A PACK" and includes at least 10,000 kJ of food and 1.5 litres of drinking water per person; the reduced pack is "SOLAS B PACK" (LSA Code).

ISO 9650-1:2022 replaced the two previous parts from 2005 and merged their types (ISO 9650-1:2022).

Which life rafts does a commercial yacht need?

For yachts under the Red Ensign Group (UK and the British overseas territories and crown dependencies), the REG Yacht Code applies. Part A covers commercial yachts of 24 metres load line length and more with up to 12 passengers; Part B covers yachts with 13 to 36 passengers (REG Yacht Code, Part A). It replaced the earlier Large Commercial Yacht Code LY3 (MCA, MSN 1895).

What the code says about life rafts:

• Only rafts built to the LSA Code count as life rafts, stowed in GRP containers.
• Yachts on short-range operation or within 60 nautical miles of a safe haven may use the "SOLAS B PACK"; all others need the "SOLAS A PACK".
• On yachts under 85 metres, there must still be enough capacity for everyone on board on each side after losing one raft. Moving rafts across is allowed if they weigh under 185 kg and can be moved within 5 minutes: 6 to 15-person rafts by two people, larger ones by four.
• From 500 GT, rafts for 100 % of the people on board must float free even after losing one raft, at up to 10° trim and 20° heel.
• Float-free rafts need hydrostatic release units.
• Life rafts are required for every size class; lifeboats only from 85 metres.

All from the REG Yacht Code, Part A, section 13.

Other flags, two examples: The Marshall Islands require approved life rafts for everyone on board on private yachts; under 24 metres, MED-approved rafts and rafts to World Sailing Offshore Special Regulations are accepted too (Marine Notice 2-011-58). The Cayman Islands expect float-free mounting and the service records for rafts and release units ready for port state control (CISR checklist).

How often must a life raft be serviced?

SOLAS rafts:

• At least every 12 months at an approved service station; the flag state can extend this to 17 months if servicing is impracticable (SOLAS III/20.8). The REG Yacht Code says the same for rafts, life jackets and reusable release units (REG Yacht Code, 13.1(10)).
• For approved "new and novel" raft systems, extended intervals are possible (SOLAS III/20.8.3), for example up to 30 months (Barbados Maritime Ship Registry). VIKING's S30 rafts use this: an annual three-step inspection on board and a full service every 30 months (VIKING).

ISO and other non-SOLAS rafts:

• The MCA requires servicing to the manufacturer's instructions at an authorised station; rafts stowed in a valise (soft bag) must be serviced every year (MCA, MGN 553).
• Manufacturers set three years for several ISO rafts in containers, for example VIKING RescYou, Ocean Safety Ocean ISO and Crewsaver ISO Ocean (VIKING, Ocean Safety, Crewsaver). There is no official three-year rule; it is the manufacturer's interval.

What a service includes, according to VIKING: a 60-minute pressure test of all chambers, weighing the CO2 cylinder, replacing expired items in the emergency pack and a service certificate (VIKING).

Sources

IMO LSA Code and SOLAS chapter III, ISO 9650-1:2022 (official sample), REG Yacht Code Part A (July 2024), UK MCA (MSN 1895, MGN 553), Marshall Islands Maritime Administrator, Cayman Islands Shipping Registry, Barbados Maritime Ship Registry, and VIKING, Ocean Safety and Crewsaver. All checked on 4 October 2026 and linked above.