Boarding a Liferaft from the Water
Boarding an inflatable liferaft directly from the water can be physically demanding, even in calm weather and warm water conditions. The task becomes considerably more difficult when survivors are wearing lifejackets, immersion suits, or heavy clothing.
Most modern inflatable liferafts are equipped with boarding ladders, ramps, or over-the-side boarding arrangements. However, these aids alone are often insufficient for exhausted survivors.
In many cases, survivors already inside the liferaft must assist those still in the water. This assistance may include pulling, lifting, or supporting the person until they are safely inside the raft. Effective teamwork greatly improves the speed and safety of the boarding process while reducing the physical effort required by exhausted survivors.