Survival Operations Specialist Rescue Services Life Raft Manual Page 1 of 8
INTRODUCTION Thank you for choosing a Life Raft product from SOS Marine! This owner s manual describes the function and features of your Life Raft and various accessories. By following the instructions in the owner s manual you will understand how your life raft works and how to make use of all its features. The Life Raft Features: Ultra light, weight only 7.6 kgs. Easy Maintenance. Self-contained disposable Co² inflation system. Durable 210D Nylon Fabric PU Laminated. Easy Boarding Manual/Auto-inflatable platform. Water pockets, a total 165 Litres of ballast water in three (3) pockets. Roomy. 0.96 square meter interior. SOLAS Reflective Tape SOLAS Lights. Survival aids. Warning and Caution: The Life Raft contains compressed gas cylinder under high pressure. Do not expose to heat or flame. Dispose of cylinder only when empty, in accordance with local regulations. This Life Raft is intended for use in emergency only. It is not a pleasure life raft for recreational use. Always wear approved inflatable life jacket when operating the life raft. Do not puncture or stab into the life raft valise. Your life raft is a piece of safety equipment, handle it with care. Inspection/service performed at a qualified service centre. Page 2 of 8
TABLE OF CONTENTS SECTION PRODUCT CONSTRUCTION... 1 OPERATING PROCEDURES... 2 STORAGE CLEANING... 3 SERVICE RECORDS... 4 SECTION 1 1.0 PRODUCT CONSTRUCTION: 1.0.1 This life raft is constructed from lightweight durable Nylon PU Laminated fabric. 1.0.2 This life raft composed of single buoyancy tube, insulated floor and boarding platform, ballast pockets boarding ladder, boarding handle, over pressure valve (OPV), topping-up valve, lifeline, painter line, sea anchor, SOLAS light.(fig1). (fig1) Page 3 of 8
1.1 Buoyancy Tube and Boarding Platform: 1.1.1 This life raft buoyancy tube is equipped with over pressure valve and topping-up valve. 1.1.2 The boarding platform is a separate air chamber which is connected with buoyancy tube through non-return valve. 1.1.3 SOLAS grade tape is located in a minimum of three (3) places on the upper side of the buoyancy chamber. 1.1.4 Two (2) Solas flashing signal light has been fitted on the upper side of the buoyancy chamber.(turn off in day light hours) 1.2 Inflation System: 1.2.1 This life raft inflation system composes of UML Pro Sensor automatic inflator valve. 1.2.2 The life raft is inflated with co² cylinder; the cylinder is non-rechargeable (use once only), it cannot be refilled. 1.2.3 Pull off the water proof white safety cap off the automatic cartridge. 1.2.4 The life raft is operationally packed ready to use. 1.3 Ballast Bag System: 1.3.1 The life raft is constructed with a ballast system composed of three (3) water pockets, this system when the buoyancy is fully inflated shall keep the life raft stable in the water. 1.3.2 These water pockets deploy underwater as the life raft inflates. They fill with water and help prevent the life raft capsizing, especially when the life raft is empty or lightly loaded. 1.3.3 Each water pocket water volume is 55 litres. 1.4 Over Pressure Valve: 1.4.1 The life raft is equipped with an over pressure valve that releases excess co² inflation gas and prevents the buoyancy tube from bursting. 1.5 Life Raft fitting and equipment: a) The life raft is equipped with lifeline with a rescue Quoit attached. b) There is a floating safety knife in the knife pocket on the buoyancy tube. Page 4 of 8
c) Towing line length is 9mtrs connected to a stainless steel ring. d) There is a sea anchor fixed to the webbing of the life raft. e) SOLAS grade reflective tape on upper buoyancy chamber. f) SOLAS Light and Battery. (Life 5 years from manufacture) g) Insulated floor. SECTION 2 OPERATING PROCEDURES: 2.0 Air Craft Deployment: 2.0.1 Move the life raft from the stowage location to an open location, and pull off the water proof white safety cap on the automatic water sensor cartridge, the life raft inflation system is now operational ready for use. 2.0.2 For automatic inflation just toss the life raft over into the water, the life raft will inflate automatically when immersed in water. Upon inflation the life raft will burst out of its valise, the life raft will be ready to board. 2.0.3 When the life raft is inflated the lights will be switched on automatically. These lights can be turn off during daylight. This will help to conserve battery power. 2.1 Righting: 2.1.1 The life raft will almost always inflate right side up if it is thrown into the water with the top of the valise facing up, occasionally the unoccupied life raft will inflate upside down or capsize due to wind or wave action. 2.1.2 If this occurs the life raft can be easily turn over by a person in the Water, always don a life jacket before entering the water. 2.1.3 Once in the water swim to the life raft and using the ladder stand, lean back on the centre of the up turned life raft, in order to turn over. 2.2 Boarding: 2.2.1 Swim to the life raft climbing ramp marked BOARD HERE and climb over the buoyancy tube and pull yourself into the life raft by grasping the handles and lifeline provided about the life raft. Page 5 of 8
2.2.2 The sea anchor line is attached to the webbing on the buoyancy, after boarding if not already deployed cast off the sea anchor. 2.2.3 The sea anchor will aid in the stability and prevent the life raft from drifting out of the search area (fig2). 2.3 Pump Inflation: (fig2) 2.3.1 Attach the pump valve adapter to the topping-up valve, by screwing the pump adapter into the valve until the adapter snaps into place. Valve will open automatically (fig3) 2.3.2 Inflate by applying pumping action to the hand pump until full inflation is achieved. 2.3.3 Remove pump from the valve by unscrewing the adapter from the topping-up valve until the adapter unsnaps out of place, the valve will close automatically. 2.3.4 Close and secure the captive dust cover in place.(if fitted) 2.4 Deflation: (fig3) 2.4.1 Locate the topping-up valve on the buoyancy tube. 2.4.2 Depress the spring loaded poppet at the centre of the topping-up valve with your fingers (fig4). Page 6 of 8
2.4.3 Once the desired amount of gas is removed, release the pressure from the centre spring and the valve will close automatically. (fig4) 3.0 Storage Requirements: SECTION 3 3.0.1 Store the life raft in a dry, well ventilated area. It must not be subjected to extremes of temperature above + 60 c or below-30 c. Do not expose the life raft to bright sunlight for extended periods when not in use. 3.0.2 It should not be stored in compressed or cramped conditions which may cause damage or deterioration. It is crucial that the life raft is stored correctly at all times when not in use in order to protect the internal components. 3.0.3 If the storage conditions are met, the life raft can remain in storage between maintenance periods. 3.1 Cleaning after immersion in salt water: NOTE: Hand Wash (ONLY) 3.1.1 After immersion in salt water the life raft assembly must be rinsed in fresh water, avoid water ingress into the topping up valve and inflation manifold when cleaning. 3.1.2 When cleaning always remove the automatic/manual inflation cartridge and Co² cylinder before rinsing. 3.1.3 Do not use Chlorine bleaches or washing detergents. 3.1.4 Oil and stains should be removed by washing with acid-free soap and rinsed thoroughly in fresh water. 3.1.5 Allow to dry naturally. (Keep out of direct sunlight) Page 7 of 8
4.0 Service Records: 4.0.1 Inspection/servicing of this life raft should be a minimum of once every two (2) years, return to SOS Marine or its agent for complete and authorised service and repair. NOTE: If used when life raft assembly is completely dry it must be subjected to the full maintenance procedure. Inspections and Servicing Date Service Performed Service Technician From Design to Development, Production to Servicing, our 20 years experience and knowledge in the industry has earned us a reputation as a supplier of proven quality products. Page 8 of 8