Inflatable liferafts are designed to provide immediate protection and flotation for survivors after abandoning a ship. They are constructed using durable waterproof materials and are designed to be quickly deployed during emergencies.
The floor of every inflatable liferaft must be waterproof and adequately insulated against cold water. This insulation is achieved by incorporating one or more air chambers that can either inflate automatically upon deployment or be inflated manually by the occupants if required. These chambers may also be deflated and re-inflated whenever necessary.
The carrying capacity of a liferaft is carefully determined according to international standards. It must be capable of accommodating the approved number of persons, each assumed to have an average body mass of 82.5 kilograms (181 pounds) while wearing both an immersion suit and a lifejacket. Every occupant must have sufficient seating space and headroom without interfering with the operation of the liferaft or its emergency equipment.
The liferaft must also be designed so that a single person can successfully inflate and deploy it during an emergency.