Introduction
If you’ve ever noticed, nearly all modern life rafts are a bright orange color. This is not a design choice it’s a deliberate safety feature. In an emergency, visibility is everything. In this article, we’ll explain why life rafts are orange, how color helps rescuers locate survivors, and provide product examples from Life Raft Professionals.
The Purpose of High-Visibility Colors
The main reason life rafts are orange is visibility. Orange is one of the most visible colors to the human eye, especially against the blue or gray tones of the ocean. It stands out in poor weather, cloudy skies, and at sea level, making it easier for rescuers to identify from miles away.
Why Orange Was Chosen Over Other Colors
- Contrast with water: Orange contrasts strongly with blue and green seas.
- Daylight visibility: Bright orange remains visible in daylight even under overcast skies.
- Compatibility with signaling gear: Many survival tools like smoke signals and flares are also orange or red, reinforcing recognition.
- International standards: Safety conventions such as SOLAS recommend high-visibility colors like orange or yellow, but orange has become the global standard.
Life Rafts and Visibility Features
Orange is just one of several visibility features built into a life raft. Others include:
- Reflective tape: Enhances visibility at night when illuminated by searchlights.
- External lights: Many rafts have battery-powered or water-activated strobe lights.
- Signal gear: Survival packs often include flares, mirrors, and dye markers for additional visibility.
Examples of Orange Life Rafts
Most rafts in the Life Rafts collection use bright orange canopies for compliance and safety. For instance:
- Crewsaver Coastal Mariner Life Raft – Compact coastal raft with high-visibility orange canopy.
- Ocean Safety Ocean Standard Liferaft – Offshore raft designed with bright orange canopy for long-range spotting.
- Revere Low Profile USCG/SOLAS A Life Raft – Commercial raft with international SOLAS compliance, built for maximum visibility.
Why Visibility Saves Lives
In survival situations, the quicker you are found, the better your chances of rescue. A bright orange life raft reduces search time for aircraft, ships, and coast guard teams. This small but crucial design choice has saved countless lives at sea.
Conclusion
Life rafts are orange because the color maximizes visibility, aligns with international safety standards, and increases the chances of rescue. Combined with reflective tape, lights, and signaling gear, orange rafts are a universal symbol of survival. Explore the Life Raft collection at Life Raft Professionals to see models designed with high-visibility safety in mind.
FAQ
Are all life rafts orange
Most are orange, but some may be yellow or red depending on manufacturer. Orange is the most widely accepted safety standard.
Why not make life rafts neon green or bright yellow
Those colors are visible but do not provide the same universal recognition as orange, which has been standardized internationally.
Do life rafts glow in the dark
No, but they often include reflective tape and water-activated lights to improve nighttime visibility.
Does the color fade over time
Yes, prolonged UV exposure can fade bright orange, which is why servicing and inspections are important to keep visibility features effective.
Is orange required by law
International standards like SOLAS recommend high-visibility colors, and most manufacturers comply by using orange.