Guidance

MIN 739 (F) Acceptable standard of liferaft for less than 7m Fishing Vessels

Published 16 October 2026

Summary

Small Fishing Vessels of less than 7m are not required to carry liferafts. However, this note advises on the MCA recommended acceptable standard of liferaft should operators decide to carry these.

1. Introduction

1.1       The Code of Practice for the Safety of Small Fishing Vessels of less than 15m Length Overall - MSN 1871 - provides a safety code for Small Fishing Vessels. This Code sets out the minimum requirements for the life-saving appliances held onboard. The minimum requirements for life saving appliances are divided for open and decked vessels, as well as by length.

1.2       Fishing vessels of less than 7m, both decked and open, are not required to carry a liferaft. However, should they choose to do so, the MCA has not previously detailed the minimum acceptable standard for liferafts for such vessels. This MIN details such minimum standards for these fishing vessels, which is in part to facilitate the release of any available funding for Life-Saving Appliances.

2. Acceptable standards

2.1       The Code of Practice for the Safety of Small Fishing Vessels of less than 15m (MSN 1871) sets-out the minimum requirements for life-saving appliances under Chapter 7. It also details the minimum acceptable standard for those liferafts the carriage of which is mandatory.

2.2       In MSN 1871 the current acceptable standards of liferafts for a Fishing Vessel of any size shall be either:

a.         constructed to SOLAS standard and to the Merchant Shipping (Marine Equipment) Regulations (S.I. 2016/1025) and MSN1874 (M&F) Marine Equipment - United Kingdom conformity assessment procedures for marine equipment, Other Approval and Standards;

b.         have an insulated floor and insulated canopy and the liferaft(s) shall be equipped with “SOLAS B PACK”;(noting the variation based on operating area)

c.         or built to the ISO 9650 - Small Craft Inflatable Liferafts, Part 1, Type 1, Group A standard, provided the liferaft(s) are fitted with a boarding ramp; are equipped to the level of “SOLAS B PACK”, which may, where necessary, include a “grab bag” to supplement the equipment integral to the liferaft, and are certificated as compliant with Part 1, Group A and Part 3 of ISO 9650.  

In addition -  Vessels operating less than three miles from shore, may use open reversible liferafts constructed to SOLAS standard or MER approved. Liferaft(s) shall be equipped to a level equivalent to a “DfT E” pack. This may, where necessary, include a “grab bag” to supplement the equipment integral to the liferaft.

2.3         Fishing vessels of less than 7m are not required to carry a liferaft, and the MCA continues not to require the carriage of a liferaft. MSN 1871 does not detail minimum acceptable standards for liferafts for such vessels due to the lack of a carriage requirement, however, should a fishing vessel of less than 7m wish to carry a liferaft the MCA accepts the standards detailed in 2.2 and in addition the use of an ISO 9650 -– type 2 liferaft.

2.4       These liferafts are designed for more benign conditions than that of the ISO 9650 type 1 liferaft or the SOLAS standard liferaft required by larger fishing vessels. An ISO 9650 – type 2 raft has some operating limitations which should be noted. They are designed for conditions up to 2 m significant wave height and wind up to Beaufort force 6; ambient air temperature above 10 °C.

2.5         The MCA will accept the Type 2 ISO 9650 liferaft - both valise and canister - due to the limitations of weight and size on vessels of less than 7m. Furthermore, the MCA does not require such rafts to be equipped with a “grab-bag”. Should fishing vessels of less than 7m choose to do so, such grab-bags must be equipped to the level of a “SOLAS B PACK”, or if less than three miles from shore a “DfT E” pack. However, regardless of whether a “grab-bag” is carried operators must take their handheld VHF, PLB and/or EPIRB with them in cases of abandonment into a liferaft.

3. Stowage and servicing arrangements.

3.1.        If a fishing vessel of less than 7m does carry a liferaft it must be located, stowed and maintained in accordance with manufacturers instructions.

Owners responsibilities.

3.2         It is the owner’s responsibility to ensure appropriate arrangements for the storage and servicing of this equipment, and that it remains effective and fit for purpose. However, the MCA  are required to inspect equipment on board in excess of the statutory requirements at any survey or inspection. If such equipment is on board it might come to be relied upon in any emergency and it must, therefore, be maintained in the same proper condition as statutory equipment.  

Further information

UK Technical Maritime Services
Maritime and Coastguard Agency
Spring Place
105 Commercial Road
Southampton
SO15 1EG

Email: marinetechnology@mcga.gov.uk

Website: www.gov.uk/mca