All inflatable life rafts have an emergency pack which according to SOLAS requirement, there are SOLAS A and B two type. Here we will learn the difference between SOLAS A and B.

1.Life rafts: Standards of equipment

Life Raft Construction

• Insulating double wall canopy
• Insulating Heat Sealed Inflatable Floor
• Painter/Static Line (Length, 130 ft.)
• CO2 Inflation System
• Painter/Static Line Attachment Point
  (1700 lbs. test) (6-10 Person Capacity)
• Righting Strap
• Lifelines (Inner)
• Lifelines (Outer)
• Exterior Locator Light
• Interior Light
• Pressure Relief Valves
• Large Rectangular Ballast Pockets
• Retro-Reflective Tape
• Boarding Ladder
• Boarding Handholds
• Static Line Weak Link
• Canopy Support Arches
• Sealed Buoyancy Chambers
• Approved Hydrostatic Release
• Manual Topping Off Valves
• Double Layer Storm Doors
• Fiberglass/Fabric Container
• Pressure Relief Valve Plugs

Life Raft Equipment

• Sea Anchor(Automatically Deployed)
• Floating/Heaving Line (Length 100 ft.)
• Rain Water Collector
• Floating Knife
• Waterproof Equipment Bag
• Raft Use Instructions
• Individual Thermal Protective Aids (2 ea.)
• Paddles
• Manual Inflation/Bilge Pump
• Repair Clamps (6 ea.)
• Adhesive & Patch Repair Kit

Additional equipment required to bring life-raft to SOLAS approved standard. SOLAS A is more comprehensive than SAOLA B!

SOLAS “B” EQUIPMENT:   (in addition to all standard equipment described above)

• Waterproof Flashlight
• Spare Flashlight Bulb
• Spare Flashlight “D” Cell Batteries (3 ea.)
• Sponges (2 ea.)
• Bailer
• SOLAS Parachute Distress Signals (2 ea.)
• SOLAS Red Handheld Distress Signals (2 ea.)
• SOLAS Smoke Signal
• Seasick Bags (1 Per Person)
• Water Storage Bag
• Thermal Protective Aid
• Signal Mirror
• First Aid Kit
• Signaling Whistle
• Anti-Seasickness Pills (6 Per Person)
• Spare Sea Anchor

SOLAS “A” EQUIPMENT:  (in addition to all standard and SOLAS B equipment described above)

• Graduated Drinking Cup
• Drinking Water (6-20 Person Capacity – 1½ Liters Per Person)
• Food Ration (10 Kilo-Joules Per Person)
• Can Opener
• Fishing Kit
• SOLAS Parachute Distress Signals (2 Add’l, 4 total)
• SOLAS Red Handheld Distress Signals (2 Add’l, 4 total))
• SOLAS Smoke Signal (1 Add’l, 2 total)