When talking about the safety of navigation, the first thing that comes to mind is an inflatable life raft, one that constantly gets under your feet, you never know where to put it, but when you need it, it must be large, durable, efficient and in perfect condition.

However, commercially available rafts leave much to be desired. Although they are marketed as ocean rafts, despite the fact that regulations have recently been revised to raise the level of standards, rafts still struggle to meet the needs of real shipwrecks. Italian, as well as European, requirements are constantly changing, so it is difficult to recommend any brand or model, but there are some important things that need to be checked before going to sea.

The raft itself must be of the highest quality workmanship, double welded seams, double or triple pipe fabric, double bottom for good thermal insulation, reinforced tent and outer surfaces.

Dimensions are very important. A few years ago we did a test for a safety movie. When we dropped a six-seater raft into the water and tried to really cram into it with six, we realized how theoretical the declared dimensions were. Six people fit, but the tightness was incredible. Enduring half an hour of filming, with a relatively calm sea, was not easy, and it's hard to imagine how you can survive weeks like this, and even with real excitement, and possibly in a storm. We came to the conclusion that even if you travelif you are two, it is better to have a six-seater raft, but if there are six, then at least an eight-seater.

What else we would like to recommend is to personally participate in the technical inspection of the raft, to be present when a specialized technician opens it, checks its completeness and lays it down. It is possible that the inspection firm will make a face at this request of yours, but the fact remains that the work is always done more thoroughly in the presence of the owner, and for you this can be a valuable opportunity to better understand the raft and its contents. Each raft has a standard package containing, among other things, water supplies, tabletsagainst seasickness, rockets, sponges, graduated glass and more. We added to our airtight jar with two aluminum thermal blankets, nourishing tiles, Swiss Army knife, burn ointment. In addition, on the boat, near the exit, we keep a prepared bag with emergency materials, among which are two wooden planks, absolutely necessary when you need to cut fish or any other prey, two solar distillers, a down sleeping bag, two woolen T-shirts, two pairs of woolen socks, two pairs of gloves, paper, pencilw and an eraser, scissors, fishing supplies, more nutritional tiles, two pieces of string, plasters and disinfectants (here you need to add specific medicines if you need them), a flashlight with spare batteries. In the same bag, we put a sealed container with portable GPS and VHF radios. As an alternative, waterproof GPS and VHF can be stored in the navigator's area, always charged and ready for use when needed. Thoughts to add these materials came in part after reading the reports of the victims of thedecision, partly after discussions with the crews of other sailboats. Fortunately, we never had the opportunity to test their effectiveness. But we have seen one thing for ourselves, that an inflatable raft does not tolerate a tropical climate very well. On the Vecchietto, we had a raft in a soft case, and when it was inflated after three years in the cockpit, it could literally be thrown away, it was so stuck together and rusty. Therefore, the container of the raft must be rigid, protect it from impacts, crushing, and absolutely airtight. Moreover, since he always findsis on the deck, it is better to cover it with a waterproof sheet. And it is necessary to carry out technical control every year or two, albeit unofficially, without bureaucracy and seals. It's quite expensive, but…

Another thing important for safety is a life-saving device that is thrown overboard to a person who has fallen overboard. There are kits on sale, quite expensive, but effective, in a package mounted on a railing. In an emergency, the package is thrown into the water, it opens automatically and provides everything you need: a life-saving device for the fallen and an alarm for those who remained on board. In the absence of such a kit, there are MAN OBOARD flags. We are talking about sticks that are thrown into the water along with a life-saving equipment, they are equipped with a floatohm and cargo, to maintain a vertical position, anti-drift fins, flag and fire. Those who have fallen overboard, thanks to the flag, can find a life-saving device that otherwise would not be visible from behind the waves, but those on board will not lose sight of it thanks to the flag and fire. In the end, an ordinary pole is enough, with a fender as a float and a flag at the top. Homemade or purchased, the main thing is that there is a similar thing. You can’t imagine how quickly the head of a fallen overboard disappears from view, with every meter, as you move away from iteat.

We remind you once again that after leaving the Italian waters, mother captain and father RINA will no longer force you to check and complete safety equipment. There, in the sea, everything will depend on your initiative and will, and subsequently your life may depend on them.