ISO and leisure liferaft servicing

When should my liferaft be serviced?

For many ISO liferafts used in recreational boating, the first service is due after three years. Subsequent service intervals depend on the make, model, age and the manufacturer’s instructions. For some liferafts, service intervals become shorter as the raft gets older, or the manufacturer requires additional tests. Always check the service label and your liferaft’s manual. With the make, model and serial number, Nemad Maritime Safety can identify the applicable service procedure.

Even when a liferaft has never been opened, items inside may have expired. These can include:

• batteries for emergency lights;
• distress signals;
• first-aid supplies;
• emergency food rations; and
• drinking water.

Movement or moisture may also cause damage, and ageing, corrosion or damage may prevent the activation or inflation mechanism from functioning correctly. Servicing establishes the condition of the liferaft at the time of inspection, before you may need to rely on it in an emergency!

What happens during servicing?

1. Drop-off. Take the complete liferaft, in its valise or canister, to a participating marine store. Bring any previous service records you have.
2. Inspection and testing. At the service station, the liferaft is opened, visually inspected, inflated and tested in accordance with the manufacturer’s servicing instructions. Depending on the make, type and age, this may include a working pressure and leak test (WP), together with additional pressure or functional tests. Where the manufacturer requires a Gas Inflation Test (GI) for the liferaft concerned, it is activated using its own inflation system and gas cylinder.
   The results are documented and recorded. The checks include the buoyancy chambers, seams, valves, inflation mechanism and expiry dates of the equipment, in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions for the particular liferaft type.
3. Approval for additional work. If equipment has expired, a cylinder needs refilling or repairs are necessary, you are informed of the proposed work and additional costs before it is carried out.
4. Completion. The service is entered in the maintenance record. The liferaft is folded and repacked in accordance with the manufacturer's procedure, fitted with the required labels, and supplied with a service certificate and the next service date.

The price and turnaround time depend on the type and condition of the liferaft, the parts required and transport through the store. If you have a planned departure date, ask for an estimate or agree on a timescale before dropping it off.

Drop off your liferaft at a marine store

Nemad works with marine stores for recreational liferaft servicing. You leave the raft with a participating store, and it is returned through the agreed route after servicing. A dealer page with the addresses and contact details of participating stores is being developed.

Until it is published, contact Nemad Maritime Safety to find a suitable drop-off point.

Direct drop-off in Schiedam is also possible. Check the current address and opening hours on our contact page and notify us before bringing in your liferaft.

Frequently asked questions

How often should a liferaft be serviced?

Many ISO liferafts used for recreational boating initially have a three-year service interval. This interval does not automatically apply throughout the liferaft’s life. 
The manufacturer may specify shorter intervals or additional tests for older liferafts. The model, its use and any applicable requirements may also affect the next service date.

Check the service label and your liferaft’s manual. With the make, model, serial number and year of manufacture, Nemad can identify the applicable servicing instructions.

If the liferaft is damaged or you suspect that moisture has entered the packaging, contact us even if the next scheduled service is not yet due.

Is the liferaft inflated using its own gas cylinder during servicing?

During inspection and pressure testing, the liferaft is normally inflated using dry compressed air. Depending on the make, type and age, the manufacturer may require additional tests. During a Gas Inflation Test (GI), the liferaft is activated using its own inflation system and gas cylinder. Not every manufacturer requires this test for ISO 9650 liferafts, and the prescribed intervals may differ.
A GI test should not be confused with periodic testing of the gas cylinder. The cylinder is checked separately during servicing and, where required by the applicable requirements, refilled, replaced or hydrostatically tested.

How long does a liferaft last?

The service life varies by manufacturer and model. Some manufacturers specify a maximum service life. Other servicing instructions provide for additional inspections and tests as the liferaft gets older.
In addition to age, the condition of the material, maintenance history, storage conditions and availability of spare parts are relevant. A good external appearance alone is not enough to establish whether a liferaft remains serviceable.

If you have an older liferaft, contact us before dropping it off so that we can check the applicable requirements and whether further servicing is possible. The warranty period and maximum service life are not necessarily the same.

If the manufacturer has specified a maximum technical service life or special requirements for older liferafts, we assess beforehand whether further servicing remains possible in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. If further servicing is no longer possible, you can choose a new liferaft through the marine store.

How much does liferaft servicing cost?

The basic inspection carries a fixed charge. Following inspection, you receive a non-binding quotation through the marine store for any additional work identified.

Additional work may be required, such as replacing expired emergency equipment, batteries or emergency lights, refilling a cylinder or carrying out repairs. You are informed of the proposed work and the additional costs before it is carried out.

When making an enquiry, please provide the make, model, serial number and year of manufacture. Include the date of the last service and your planned departure date.

How long will I be without my liferaft?

Turnaround time depends on workload, parts availability and transport between the store and the service station. Arrange servicing well before the boating season and tell us your planned departure date. We stock the most commonly needed parts, but manufacturers’ lead times may increase during the peak season. Always provide your planned departure date when dropping off your liferaft.

Which brands can Nemad Maritime Safety service?

Nemad is certified for the service of models from brands including Ocean Safety, Plastimo, Seago, Sea Safe, 4Water, Alpha Ocean, Lalizas and Arimar. Whether we can service your particular model depends on its age, the service instructions and the availability of parts. Please provide the make, model and serial number so that we can check.

Would you like to have your liferaft serviced?

Send us the make, model, serial number and date of its last service via the Nemad Maritime Safety contact page We can discuss the available service options and a suitable drop-off point.