Life Raft & Survival Equipment - Life raft

The rescue off Delaware has sealed the deal - I need to buy a liferaft. I was out at the canyons the same day and we struggled to get back to the inlet safely.

I want one that can be mounted or stowed without eating up valuable space or visibility. Other than that I don't know much about shopping for this item.

Monarch is a Topaz 32' express, federally documented recreational fishing vessel.

Thanks for any advice you can give.

A federally documented recreational fisherman? This does not sound right. Do you mean that you are a federally documented sport fisherman with the licensing to sell your catch? This will make a big difference, let me know. The key here is can you sell your catch. You will know this if you have to report to NMFS about your catch.

Dan O'Connor
Life Raft and Survival Equipment
1-800-451-2127 ext. 22
www.lrse.com

It IS right. My boat was federally documented before I bought her. You have the option to register either federally or state if your boat is over a certain size. I hold no charter/headboat/commercial license, only my federal recreational tuna permit. I am not licensed to sell my catch.

Now, do you have information about rafts please? 6 man offshore, CG(I guess) certified?

You do have the option of getting a USCG approved life raft, but you are not required to carry it. USCG approved raft are going to be larger and heavier than recreational ones. For space considerations only, I would stay away from them. There are a lot of different brands you can look at, but for value, and extremely high quality, I would consider the DBC swiftsure Global. You can view it here.... http://www.lrse.com/products.cfm?cat=001&prod=123

This is just one particualr raft. You can view a large variety more from this link... http://www.lrse.com/products.cfm?cat=001

As for offshore lief rafts there are a few considerations. You should look for somehting with a self errecting canopy, a double floor, with an inflatable double floor being better, and a baording ramp. With an EPIRB an "offshore equipment pack" is a lot less important. SOmething with water and food in it are going to create a lot of weight to the life raft.

Check out these links, and let me know if you have any further questions

Dan O'Connor
Life Raft and Survival Equipment
1-800-451-2127 ext.22
www.lrse.com

Thanks for the info. Are there pictures anywhere of how they look in the canisters and valises? Trying to figure out if the canister will obscure my precious forward view from the helm.

Thanks,

Ben

What you wil want to condifer is the height of the canister. All of the links to the life rafts will have the height. The next thing to consider is what type of cradle it will be in. SOme cradles will only add about an 1/2" in height while other may add close to 3" in height. The frog hollow cradles are universla and are only adding that 1/2" or less. A lo of the links I sent ot you have the pictures of the raf in the canister, but there pretty much all the same. rectangular, white, with some type of strapping system holding it together. Pay attention to the dimmensions. Purchasing a life raft is comfusing. I encourage you to call our office an speak with myself or anyone on our sales staff to help you decide what the right raft is for your needs.

Dan O'Connor
Life Raft and Survival Equipment
1-800-451-2127 ext. 22
www.lrse.com

Thanks :) I'll call tomorrow most likely.

Ben

Left you VM, call me back when you get a chance.

Thanks,

Ben

Ben,

I also left you a message. I will be in and out of the office next week, but will try you back Monday morning

Dan
Life Raft and Survival Equipment

Argh missed you again today. Gimme a ring again please.

Thanks,

Ben

MI Ben,

You are a tough guy to get in touch with. I'll try and pm you to answer some of your questions

Dan
Life Raft and Survival Equipment

Ben,

Check your inbox for tracking info, the package went out today. Thanks for the order

Dan O'Connor
Life Raft and Survival Equipment
1-800-451-2127
www.lrse.com