Occasionally, after deployment, an inflatable liferaft may inflate upside down due to strong winds or rough sea conditions. Before survivors can board safely, the liferaft must be returned to its normal upright position.
The recommended procedure for righting an inverted liferaft is as follows:
- Pull the liferaft around until the gas cylinder is positioned on the downwind side.
- Climb carefully onto the bottom of the inverted liferaft.
- Stand with both feet firmly on the gas cylinder housing.
- Grasp the righting strap securely.
- Lean backwards and pull steadily on the strap until the liferaft rolls over into its correct position.
A smooth, continuous pull is much more effective than a sudden jerk.
When a liferaft inflates upside down, the buoyancy provided by its arch tubes and centre support initially resists overturning. However, as seawater enters the canopy, the increasing weight of the trapped water eventually overcomes this buoyancy, making the raft more difficult to right. Therefore, the raft should be turned upright as quickly as possible.
If the liferaft capsizes after occupants have already boarded it, everyone should first leave the raft through the entrances before attempting to right it. Normally, a single person can successfully turn over the empty liferaft by standing near the CO₂ cylinders and steadily pulling the righting strap while leaning backwards. Whenever possible, the operation should be carried out with the wind assisting the righting movement.