Why a liferaft?

Accidents, whether fire, collision or sinking, don't just happen to others. As confident as you may be about your vessel and its crew, unfortunate things can happen.

Even with today's high performance communications which allow your position to be rapidly and accurately pinpointed, setting off a beacon or launching a Mayday is no guarantee of rescue. Help may take time coming or be unable to respond immediately and whether you're a good swimmer or not, a life raft is the only real protection that you can get against the wind and cold. Countless shipwreck survivors can testify that they owe their lives to the life raft. It may only be a couple of hours or a few days before help arrives. Or maybe it will extend to the 130 days a Japanese sailor survived in one, but whichever way, a life raft increases your odds of survival.

A life raft may not be the most comfortable or largest of crafts but it can give you the peace of mind to set out and enjoy your voyage, properly prepared.

ZODIAC, the Marine and Aeronautical Safety Specialist

As a multinational industrial group, Zodiac designs and builds equipment destined for marine and aeronautical usage, notably highly specialized safety devices, such as escape slides for airplanes, helicopter emergency flotation gear, military and civilian parachutes and airbags for cars. Just like a life raft, if this equipment fails to function at that one vital moment it is needed, lives are at risk.

Packed in their containers all life rafts look the same, however you cannot always judge a book by its cover. By choosing a ZODIAC you will be opting for the experience and technical savior faire of one of the world's leading life raft manufacturers both in the leisure and commercial fields. ZODIAC supplies its SOLAS* life rafts to the largest shipyards for use on commercial vessels, cruise ships, ferries and even military vessels. * International standards for the Safety Of Lives At Sea

ZODIAC LIFERAFT FEATURES

Vacuum packed protection
More that 10 years ago ZODIAC came up with the idea of vacuum packing the life raft in a partially evacuated plastic pocket. This keeps the life raft at a constant level of humidity and protects it from damaging changing elements of the environment and the corrosive, salty atmosphere. A long life expectancy and increased protection of the vital safety equipment packed in the life raft are direct benefits of this system.

Airtight compartments
On setting off the gas bottle the whole of the inflatable structure (buoyancy tubes and canopy arch) is immediately inflated. The two buoyancy tubes are totally independent of each other, ensuring that the life raft stays afloat even if one of the tubes is punctured.

Thermobonding
This robotised hot assembly welding technique gives far superior seams compared to the traditional hand gluing method still relied on by some manufacturers. The seam becomes stronger than the materials it is joining and is extremely airtight.

Firing head
The vital part of the inflation process. ZODIAC uses the same exclusive firing head on all its life rafts from 4 person leisure models to 50 person commercial models. Using a tensioned firing pin (similar to that of a fire arm) inflation is immediate and risk free : no moving parts to block the system or impede inflation. Unlike the crude methods used in some life rafts, this system does not rely on the physical strength of the user to set it off, the pressure of releasing the trigger spring is enough to start the inflation.

Stabilizing water ballast pockets
High volume, weighted water ballast pockets for immediate deployment give stability when boarding and stabilize the life raft in high winds and heavy seas.

Cellular foam floor with aluminum film coating
A particularly innovative sandwich design incorporates a cellular foam middle between a fabric base and aluminum film top layer. The layer of aluminum film reflects back natural body heat providing protection and insulation from the cold of the water. This system offers superior insulation, lighter weight and needs no inflation system to work compared to an old-fashioned inflatable floor.

ZODIAC International Service Stations
Buying a ZODIAC life raft gives you access to the largest international network of authorized life raft service stations. ZODIAC has Services Stations in over 30 countries in the world. For further information or for the list of Service Stations simply ask your distributor or contact ZODIAC international.

Automatic inflation in only 22 seconds*
To inflate a ZODIAC life raft pull the full length (about 12 m) of the painter line and then give a firm tug to fire the CO2 cylinder. The pressure from the inflating life raft automatically opens the container allowing the gas to inflate the 2 buoyancy tubes and arch. About twenty seconds is all it takes for the life raft to take shape and be ready for use. Inflation performed in about 22 seconds, at a 20°C temperature MP8 Open Sea

Available in valise or cannister
All ZODIAC life rafts are available in either a valise or a cannister. Where possible, a cannister is recommended to offer the best protection against wear and tear and the elements. A cannister can be left on deck or mounted in the stern of a yacht. A life raft in a valise should be protected from the elements and care should be taken to keep it clear from sharp objects. It will need to be stored in a location that permits it to be brought on deck quickly and easily.