MIN 726 (M+F) Life raft weight compliance based on keel laying date
Published 22 September 2025
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Summary
This MIN is a reminder to LSA Service Stations to be aware of the required liferaft weight compliance based on keel laying date when conducting routine exchanges of SOLAS liferafts.
1. Background
1.1 There have been reported incidents of liferafts of incorrect weights being supplied during routine exchanges. Specifically, 75 kg rafts are being issued in place of 82.5 kg rafts for vessels the keel of which was laid after 1 January 2012, in contravention of the requirements of LSA Code.
1.2 The discrepancy is not always evident from the service certificate, which typically omits the design weight. As a result, inadvertent reliance on incomplete documentation is possible when verifying raft suitability for a vessel based on keel laying date.
1.3 Within the context of this MIN, a reference to a 75 kg or 82.5kg raft is in relation to raft design capacity based on the average person mass - not the weight of the raft itself.
2. Service Station Responsibilities
2.1 Service stations must verify the vessel’s keel laying date and ensure the replacement raft matches the required design weight as per the appropriate LSA Code revision. This is ordinarily addressed by resource planning systems, but in instances where these are not utilised, Service Stations must ensure that the exchanged raft corresponds to the requirements based on keel laying date, of the vessel receiving a replacement raft.
2.2 Therefore, where resource planning systems are not in use (e.g. in smaller UK-only hire pools), checks should be rigorously applied.
3. Operator Responsibilities
3.1 Operators must not rely solely on service certificates. They should confirm with the supplier, that the raft weight aligns with the vessel’s keel laying date and approval requirements. The details of the liferaft’s weight limits are not detailed on the service certificate. Where uncertainty exists, confirmation from the liferaft supplier should be sought. In addition, reference can be made to the type-approval certificate or manufacturer’s documentation.
3.2 Vessels the keel of which was laid before 1 January 2012 using 82.5kg davit-launched liferafts must ensure the associated davit operates within its Safe Working Load, considering any increased working load.
More information
Marine Technology,
Maritime and Coastguard Agency
Spring Place
105 Commercial Road
Southampton
SO15 1EG
Email: Marinetechnology@mcga.gov.uk
Website: www.gov.uk/mca