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Old 01-09-09, 12:03 AM   #13
Etienne
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Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Canada
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SOLAS approved liferafts must have a canopy, which must be fitted with some sort of rain catching funnel. It has a name, but I can't remember at the time. Ferries and some smaller vessels might be fitted with inflatable platform type liferafts, wich don't have canopies.

Non enclosed life boats must be supplied with a canopy, and the necessary implements to rig it. Usually, tho, the rods are corroded five ways to ****. But then, enclosed life boats are the rule on new buildings anyway.

It's also pretty easy to right an overturned life raft. It does involve going in the water, but then if the life raft's flipped, you're in the water. Life rafts also have "Ballast bags" that will essentially keep them right side up unless something that you'll tell your grandkids about happens.

Survival capsules also exist that are completly enclosed, that can flip every which way and stay afloat. They haven't caught on so much outside of the commercial fishing community, but I have seen concept for commercial vessel sized units. I'm skeptical, but that might change.
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