Introduction
If you spend time on the water, your life raft is not a nice-to-have, it is your final layer of safety when everything else goes wrong. Life Raft Professionals is a marine safety outfitter that curates coastal, offshore, commercial, and aviation life rafts, along with personal flotation devices and survival gear. In this guide, you will learn what the company offers, how its collections differ, and how to pick a raft that matches your vessel, route, and regulatory needs.
Who Is Life Raft Professionals
Life Raft Professionals focuses on marine and aviation survival equipment, from life rafts to navigation and safety essentials. The team sources recognized brands and provides a shopping experience that makes technical choices easier for both recreational boaters and commercial operators.
Core Product Collections
All Life Rafts at a Glance
Start with the full catalog to scan coastal and offshore models across brands like Revere, Viking, Survitec, Superior, and others. This is useful when you want to compare capacity, container options, and compliance side by side.
Commercial Life Rafts, USCG and SOLAS
Commercial operators need equipment that meets United States Coast Guard approvals and, for many routes, SOLAS standards. You will find low profile containers, round containers with cradles, and IBAs in a range of capacities for inspected vessels and workboats.
- Commercial Life Rafts collection
- Revere Low Profile USCG/SOLAS A Life Raft
- Revere USCG/SOLAS Round Container Life Raft with Cradle
Recreational Life Rafts
For coastal cruisers and offshore passages on private vessels, recreational rafts balance weight, packed size, and features like stabilizing water pockets, insulated floors, and optional canopies.
- Recreational Life Rafts collection
- Superior Offshore Stream Life Raft, 4 to 8 Person
- Crewsaver Coastal Mariner Life Raft
Aviation and Specialty Rafts
If you fly over water, compact aviation rafts and life preservers are available in TSO and non TSO configurations. These models prioritize weight and deployment speed, with capacities suited to small aircraft.
Related Safety Gear
Beyond rafts, you can outfit your crew with inflatable PFDs, throw devices, and other survival equipment. This matters because a life raft is part of a system, not the whole plan.
Services and Support
Life Float Refurbishment
Life Raft Professionals offers life float refurbishment with USCG approval, which can reduce cost compared to buying new units, and shorten lead times. If your operation uses life floats, this can extend service life responsibly.
See the service note on the homepage.
Why servicing and repacking matter
Every brand specifies inspection and repacking intervals. Following the manufacturer schedule keeps valves, seams, and inflation systems within spec. For commercial operations, documented servicing supports compliance audits and port state control checks.
How to Choose the Right Life Raft
1. Define your operating area
Coastal routes need different equipment than offshore passages. If your voyages extend beyond immediate rescue range, choose offshore rated rafts with insulated floors and a canopy, and consider sea anchor and water collection features.
2. Match capacity to your actual headcount
Choose a capacity that fits your maximum persons on board, then consider a small margin. Overcrowding reduces thermal protection and comfort. Undersubscribed rafts can be harder to stabilize.
3. Pick the right container and mount
Valise bags save space in cabins. Deck-mounted low profile or round containers suit commercial and bluewater boats that need rapid deployment and crane or hydrostatic release options.
4. Confirm approvals
If your vessel falls under inspection, look for USCG approvals. International routes may require SOLAS compliance. Recreational boats without inspection still benefit from recognized standards when conditions escalate.
5. Plan for servicing
Budget for inspection and repacking at the manufacturer’s interval, and keep documentation accessible. Schedule service before seasonal haul outs or major trips so you are never waiting on a certificate when the weather opens a window.
6. Shortlist examples to compare
- Ocean Safety, Ocean Standard Liferaft for coastal trips
- Superior Offshore Stream for offshore cruising
- Revere Low Profile USCG/SOLAS A for commercial vessels
- Revere Aero Compact for general aviation over water
Buying Checklist
- Vessel type and route, coastal, offshore, commercial, aviation
- Required approvals, USCG, SOLAS, TSO or non TSO for aviation
- Capacity and packed size that fits your stowage
- Container choice, valise, low profile, round with cradle
- Equipment pack, A or B where applicable, plus sea anchor, repair kit, signaling
- Mounting and release hardware, including hydrostatic release if needed
- Service interval and the nearest authorized service option
- Lead time, build to order items can require planning
Conclusion
Life Raft Professionals brings a wide mix of approved life rafts and practical safety gear into one place, which helps you compare models by route, compliance, and budget. Use the links above to build a short list, then match features to how and where you operate. Your raft is a commitment to everyone on board. Treat the choice with care, then keep it serviced and ready.
FAQ
How often should a life raft be serviced
Follow the manufacturer’s service interval listed for your model. Commercial and SOLAS rafts have strict schedules. Recreational rafts also need periodic inspection to ensure inflation systems, seams, and packs remain within spec.
What is the difference between USCG and SOLAS approvals
USCG approvals apply to United States regulations and vessel categories. SOLAS approvals address international safety standards for life at sea. Many commercial operations need both, depending on the voyage and flag state.
Do I need a low profile container or a valise
Valise bags reduce weight and store below deck, which suits smaller recreational boats. Low profile and round containers mount on deck for faster deployment and are common on inspected or offshore vessels.
Can I refurbish or recertify life floats
Yes, life float refurbishment services can reduce cost and lead time compared to buying new units, while keeping approvals current. Check availability and lead times before your season or a scheduled yard period.
What capacity should I buy
Match the raft to your maximum persons on board. Avoid oversizing or undersizing. The right capacity improves stability, thermal protection, and comfort during wait times for rescue.