SOLAS-A Inflatable Life Raft (Valise)
A SOLAS-A valise life raft packs into a soft container rather than a rigid canister, which changes how it must be stowed and launched, not how it performs once inflated - both meet the same SOLAS-A survival standard.
Typical models.
One well-documented model per manufacturer — with photo, key figures and datasheet details on the model page.
What to check on a SOLAS-A Inflatable Life Raft (Valise).
18 models from 2 manufacturers. Below: the manufacturers at a glance and the full model list.
What defines a valise life raft
A SOLAS-A life raft rated for valise packing is functionally identical, once inflated, to the same raft packed in a rigid canister - same capacity, same equipment pack, same SOLAS-A survivability standard covering temperature range, sea-worthiness, and equipment for extended survival at sea. The difference is entirely in the container. A valise is a soft, water-resistant bag rather than a fibreglass canister, which means it cannot be stowed for hydrostatic release the way a canister raft on a cradle can - a valise raft is typically carried for a specific location such as a rescue boat, a tender, or a location where a hydrostatic release unit and cradle are impractical, and it must be manually thrown or carried to the water and manually inflated by pulling the painter line.
Legend
- soft valise container
- canopy
- gas cylinder
- painter line
- buoyancy tubes
- boarding ramp
- ballast bag
- sea anchor
SOLAS-A rafts, valise or canister, are distinct from SOLAS-B rafts in equipment scope: SOLAS-B packs a reduced survival equipment set intended for coastal or short-range operation, while SOLAS-A carries the full offshore pack including a more extensive first aid kit, additional rations, and a larger water ration per person.
Main components
Buoyancy tubes
Dual, independently inflatable tubes so a puncture in one does not fully deflate the raft; inflation is by CO2/nitrogen gas cylinder triggered when the painter line is pulled to full extension.
Read the full guide
Canopy
Self-erecting on inflation, providing shelter from exposure and, on SOLAS-A rafts, a rainwater collection arrangement built into the canopy design.
Painter line and hydrostatic release unit
The painter both triggers inflation and, on canister rafts, connects to a hydrostatic release unit that frees the raft automatically if the ship sinks before it can be manually launched; valise rafts rely on manual deployment instead since they are not typically fitted with an HRU.
Ballast bags
Water-filled bags under the raft floor that resist capsize in a seaway by adding weight low in the structure once the raft is waterborne.
Survival equipment pack
Sealed container inside the raft holding rations, drinking water, flares, a first aid kit, seasickness tablets, a bailer, sponge, repair kit, and signalling mirror, per the SOLAS-A equipment schedule.
Selection and sizing
- Certified capacity in persons, matched to the specific location aboard where it will be carried.
- Packing type - valise where a cradle and HRU cannot be fitted, canister where automatic float-free launch is required by the ship's survival craft arrangement.
- Servicing interval and the location of an approved service station the vessel can realistically reach.
- Temperature rating matching the vessel's trading area, since standard SOLAS-A rafts are rated to a defined low-temperature threshold and arctic-rated packs exist for colder trades.
Regulations and class
SOLAS Chapter III and the LSA Code set the construction, equipment, and servicing requirements for SOLAS-A rafts. Annual inspection at an approved service station is mandatory, including full inflation, equipment pack renewal of any expired items, and a check of the gas cylinder charge. Rafts must be re-packed and re-certified at that interval regardless of whether they were deployed. Valise rafts carried in locations without automatic float-free arrangements are accepted under LSA Code provisions where the ship's survival craft arrangement documents that location as manually launched.
Typical faults
| Fault | Cause | Consequence |
|---|---|---|
| Raft fails to inflate fully | Gas cylinder underweight or valve fault found only at annual service | Insufficient buoyancy or one chamber unusable |
| Valise fabric degradation | UV exposure and chafe from poor stowage location | Water ingress or failure of the outer container before deployment |
| Expired equipment pack contents | Missed annual service interval | Rations, water, or flares unusable when actually needed |
| Painter line fails to trigger inflation | Line not fully extended before the crew lets go, or a fouled line | Raft remains uninflated and unusable in the water |
What to look for in a supplier
- Approved service station network in the vessel's actual trading area, not just at the home port.
- Valid SOLAS-A type approval certificate matching the exact model and capacity ordered.
- Clear documentation of temperature rating suited to the trading area.
- Confirmed valise packing compatibility with the specific stowage location and launch method planned aboard.
Stow a valise raft where crew can actually carry or throw it clear of the ship's side in a real emergency - a valise stuffed into a locker two decks from the muster point is a raft that will not make it into the water in time.
Models in this type.
The best-documented model of each manufacturer first, then the next — 18 of 18 models in SOLAS-A Inflatable Life Raft (Valise). Every row links to full specifications, documents and service notes.
Manufacturers.
All 2 manufacturers with models of SOLAS-A Inflatable Life Raft (Valise). Names with a manufacturer page open it; the others open a search across the full library.
All manufacturers in the libraryAlso in Life Rafts.
The other equipment types in this category.
Write to us about this model — the answer comes by e-mail.
Name the make and the model and what the job is: a spare, a service call, a second opinion on a data sheet. We answer by e-mail.
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Questions that come up with this equipment.
Is SOLAS-A Inflatable Life Raft (Valise) data free?
Yes. Every model page, every guide and every datasheet for this type is readable without an account. An account adds saved searches and requests, nothing is taken away.
My model is missing — what now?
Send us the nameplate. We identify it by hand, add it to the library, and if you need a part or a service, the request is already on our desk.
Can you source a SOLAS-A Inflatable Life Raft (Valise) part?
Yes. Tell us the manufacturer, the model and what you need — a person reads every request and replies by e-mail.