The experimental and theoretical study of life raft safety under strong wind

The paper presents the study on the reliability of life rafts in different environmental and operational conditions. The information of the reliability of life saving appliances is essential during a search and rescue action; however, there are no available methods allowing the determinination of life saving appliances failure in heavy weather. The first attempt was made to determine the life raft safety using the random variable of “limit wind velocity”. The reliability function for the life raft was developed on the basis of the results of experimental research on hydrodynamic and aerodynamic reaction forces for 6-, 10- and 20-person life rafts with and without a drogue. The main conclusions with respect to the safety of life rafts in dependence on their operational conditions are presented and discussed.

► the life raft safety using the random variable of limit wind velocity is determined.
► the reliability function for the life raft developed on the basis of model tests.
► the life raft reliability enables SAR action coordinator to plan the rescue operation.