Liferafts are a significant topic of discussion in the GSC 2027 chat, covering regulations, types of liferafts, weight considerations, installation challenges, service requirements, and real-world safety concerns. Below is a detailed summary:
1. Liferaft Requirements for GSC
- GSC regulations mirror Offshore Special Regulations (OSR) Category 0, requiring two liferafts:
- Primary Liferaft: Must be SOLAS-certified.
- Secondary Liferaft: Can be ISO 9650-1 (approved for ocean sailing) instead of a second SOLAS raft.
- Some competitors questioned the necessity of carrying two liferafts, given the weight and cost concerns but this remains a requirement.
2. SOLAS vs. ISO Liferafts
SOLAS Liferafts (International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea):
- Provide superior insulation, making them more suitable for extreme conditions (e.g., the Southern Ocean).
- Come with pre-packed survival kits (food, water, medical supplies).
- Typically larger and heavier (55–85 kg for a 6-person raft).
- Require annual servicing, adding long-term costs.
ISO 9650-1 Liferafts:
- Can be used as the secondary liferaft in GSC.
- Lighter (typically 35–50 kg), making them easier to handle solo.
- Expire every three years from new, then need servicing every two years.
- Less insulated, making them unsuitable for extreme cold waters.
3. Weight and Size Considerations
- Liferaft weight is a major concern for solo skippers:
- Some 6-person SOLAS liferafts weigh 75–85 kg, making them impossible to bring on deck alone.
- Lighter alternatives exist, such as the Survitec EXTREM 6-Man SOLAS raft (58 kg), which was recommended for GSC participants.
- The Viking professional liferafts are lighter but prohibitively expensive.
- Some discussed US Coast Guard (USCG) approved 4-Man liferafts built to SOLAS standards, which are lighter but not formally SOLAS-certified but can be accepted on a dispensation basis.
4. Installation Challenges
- Placement is difficult, as boats already have multiple pieces of equipment on deck:
- Many skippers struggled to find space due to the presence of windvanes, hydrogenerators, drogue anchors, and autopilot gear.
- A liferaft installed at the stern might be ripped off by waves.
- Under-deck storage is an option but makes deployment difficult.
- Some considered removing non-essential contents (e.g., reducing the food and water supplies from 6 to 2-3 persons) to save weight but is often not allowed by service station packing a liferaft.
5. Service and Expiry Dates
- SOLAS rafts need annual servicing, making them costly in the long run.
- ISO rafts expire every three years from new, then need servicing every two years.
- Some skippers planned to delay purchasing liferafts until closer to the event to maximize their lifespan.
- In 2023, GSC negotiated a 40% discount with Survitec, reducing SOLAS liferaft costs to €2,250 before tax.
6. Real-World Safety Considerations
- Liferaft deployment in extreme conditions is difficult:
- The irony was noted that a liferaft might be too heavy for a solo sailor to deploy in an emergency.
- Skippers were reminded that liferafts are a last resort, and watertight bulkheads should be the primary survival strategy.
- In the 2020 Vendée Globe, Pip Hare lost her liferaft in a storm, highlighting the risk of deck-mounted rafts getting swept away.
7. Summary of Key Models Discussed
| Model | Certification | Weight | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Survitec EXTREM 6-Man | SOLAS | 58 kg | Recommended for GSC due to its weight/cost balance. |
| Lalizas SOLAS Raft | SOLAS | 85 kg | Considered too heavy by some skippers. |
| Viking Professional Rafts | SOLAS | Varies | Lighter than standard SOLAS rafts but very expensive. |
| USCG 4-Man Rafts | “Built to SOLAS Standard” | 67 kg | Accepted as a special exemption, but not formally SOLAS-certified. |
| Plastimo Transocean GGR | ISO 9650-1 | ~35 kg | Lacks insulation, unsuitable for Southern Ocean, accepted as a second raft only. |
8. Conclusion
- GSC requires two liferafts for safety redundancy.
- SOLAS liferafts offer superior protection but are heavy and expensive.
- ISO 9650-1 liferafts are lighter and can be used as a secondary raft.
- Weight and storage pose major challenges, especially for solo sailors.
- Proper installation is critical to prevent loss in heavy seas.
- GSC organizers facilitated discounts on suitable liferafts to assist competitors.
