Righting a liferaft and boarding from the water
1The lesson in plain words
Right an upside-down raft from the marked side, climb in by the boarding ramp, then help the others in, lifting them gently and as flat as you can.
Right it first
A liferaft may inflate upside down. For a manually righted raft, use the righting strap, a strong strap on its underside, and your body weight to turn it upright. Identify the marked righting side and follow its instructions and your approved-course training. Keep contact with the raft and help others stay supported. Full steps are in Emergencies: abandon ship.
Boarding from the water
Swim to the entrance with the boarding ramp or ladder. Grip the handles or the lifeline, kick hard and pull yourself in, chest first. Once inside, move clear of the entrance to make room for the next person. At a lifeboat, hold the grabline, a rope handhold, while waiting, then use its designated boarding ladder or recovery arrangement. If you are too tired to climb, do not waste strength: hold on and wait for help.
Helping others in
Kneel beside the entrance. If the survivor's lifejacket or suit has a designated lifting loop or handle, use it only as that equipment's instructions allow. For a cold or exhausted survivor, use two helpers: one supports the head and shoulders, the other the hips and legs. Use a wave to help bring them aboard, keeping them level and their face clear. Never pull an injured limb, hood or whistle cord. Move them clear of the entrance and keep them lying down.
In an immersion suit
Keep the suit and required lifejacket on. Use the boarding ramp, kick with your legs and accept help. In cold conditions, keep the suit fastened and hood on. Once safely aboard, adjust clothing and ventilation to avoid overheating, following the person in charge.
2Key data
- Righting side
- Use the marked side and follow this raft's instructions
- Lifting a survivor
- Support the body; use the survivor's designated lifting loop if fitted
3Key points
- 1
Right an inverted raft using its marked instructions and your approved-course training.
- 2
Board by the ramp or ladder, chest first, then move clear of the entrance.
- 3
Use the survivor's designated lifting loop if fitted, as instructed; two helpers support head, shoulders, hips and legs.
- 4
Lift cold or injured survivors as horizontally as possible.
- 5
Too tired to climb: hold on and wait for help.
4Frequent mistakes
Wrong: Pull a survivor in by the arms, upright, as fast as you can.
Right: Use the survivor's designated lifting loop if fitted, as instructed. Two helpers support the head and shoulders, hips and legs, keeping the survivor level.
Wrong: Stay in the entrance once you are in, to help the next person.
Right: Move clear first. Helpers kneel at the side of the entrance, not in it.
5Practice case & exam keys
You reach a 20-person liferaft that is floating upside down. Two crew mates are with you in the water; one is exhausted and very cold. The wind is light.
Show the answer
Keep the cold survivor supported. Follow the raft's marked righting instructions and your approved-course training. Board by the ramp and move clear. With the other fit survivor, use the survivor's designated lifting loop if fitted, as instructed: one helper supports the head and shoulders, the other the hips and legs. Use a wave to help, keep the person as level as possible, then keep them lying down.
Exam keys
- Right an inverted raft using its marked instructions and approved-course training.
- Board by the ramp or ladder; move clear of the entrance.
- Use the survivor's designated lifting loop if fitted, as instructed; two helpers support head and shoulders, hips and legs.
- Keep cold or injured survivors horizontal.
Finish this unit
When you've read it, answer three questions. Get all three right to finish the unit; opening the page alone doesn't count.
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