# Lifeboat vs Liferaft: Types of Survival Craft on Ships Explained > Lifeboat vs liferaft: a lifeboat is a rigid, engine-driven craft for up to 150 people; a liferaft is an inflatable craft that drifts. Types and SOLAS rules. Marine Safety By [MARS Engineering & Sales Team](/about/) Published Oct 23, 20267 min read In the lifeboat vs liferaft comparison, a lifeboat is a rigid, engine-powered survival craft that can carry up to 150 people under the LSA Code and make way at 6 knots, while a liferaft is an inflatable or rigid craft without propulsion that drifts with a sea anchor and is far lighter and cheaper to carry. Most SOLAS ships carry both: lifeboats for the main evacuation and liferafts as additional or alternative capacity, plus a rescue boat for recovering people from the water. ## Key takeaways - SOLAS chapter III and the LSA Code define three related craft: lifeboats and liferafts (both survival craft) and rescue boats, which are for recovering people and marshalling survival craft. - No lifeboat may normally be approved for more than 150 persons; a SOLAS liferaft must carry at least 6. - A lifeboat must reach at least 6 knots fully loaded, carry fuel for 24 hours and be able to tow a loaded 25-person liferaft at 2 knots. - Cargo ships of 85 m and over normally carry totally enclosed or free-fall lifeboats for 100% of persons on board, plus liferafts; smaller cargo ships may carry liferafts only. - Passenger ships on international voyages need lifeboats for at least 50% on each side, or 37.5% if rafts substitute part of it, plus extra liferafts for 25% of persons. - Lifeboats and their launching gear must be examined annually and overhauled every five years under IMO resolution MSC.402(96). ## Lifeboat vs liferaft: what is the difference? The short answer to lifeboat vs liferaft is that a lifeboat is a boat and a liferaft is a platform. The lifeboat has a rigid hull, an engine, steering and seating, so survivors can move away from danger. A liferaft relies on buoyancy tubes and a canopy for protection, and stays near the casualty position, which helps search and rescue. | Feature | Lifeboat | Liferaft | | --- | --- | --- | | Construction | Rigid hull, usually fiberglass (GRP) | Inflatable tubes, or rigid buoyant raft | | Propulsion | Compression-ignition engine, at least 6 knots | None; paddles and sea anchor only | | Capacity under LSA Code | Up to 150 persons | Minimum 6 persons; common sizes 6 to 50, larger in evacuation systems | | Launching | Davit, or free-fall from a stern ramp | Thrown overboard, davit-launched or via a marine evacuation system | | Float-free on sinking | No, unless a free-fall boat is released | Yes, via a hydrostatic release unit on throw-overboard rafts | | Stowage footprint | Large; needs davit or ramp and structure | Compact canister on a cradle | | Annual care | Examination of boat, engine, davit and release gear | Shore service at an approved station | The practical consequence is cost and space. A lifeboat installation includes the boat, davit or ramp, winch, release gear and structural support, while a raft is a canister on a cradle. That is why smaller ships, fishing vessels and yachts rely on liferafts, and why large ships use rafts to add capacity cheaply. ## What are the types of lifeboats? Modern ships use enclosed designs. The LSA Code recognizes several lifeboat types, each with specific construction requirements. - **Open lifeboats.** No longer accepted for new SOLAS ships, though they survive on some older or non-convention vessels. - **Partially enclosed lifeboats.** Rigid covers at bow and stern with a foldable canopy in between. They are permitted on passenger ships and allow quick boarding of large numbers. - **Totally enclosed lifeboats.** A rigid watertight canopy with hatches; the standard on cargo ships. They self-right when occupants are strapped in. - **Free-fall lifeboats.** Totally enclosed boats launched down a stern ramp, so they clear the ship immediately. Since 1 July 2006, SOLAS has required free-fall lifeboats on new bulk carriers. - **Lifeboats with self-contained air support.** Carried on ships with toxic cargoes, giving occupants breathable air with the hatches shut for at least 10 minutes. - **Fire-protected lifeboats.** Fitted with a water spray system and air supply, required on oil and chemical tankers carrying low-flashpoint cargoes, so the boat can pass through burning oil on the water. **Inside a lifeboat** you will typically find moulded seats with seat belts, the engine under a central casing, a steering position, and lockers holding water, rations, pyrotechnics, first-aid kit and a radar transponder or other locating equipment. ## What are the types of liferafts? Liferafts are grouped mainly by how they are launched and whether they right themselves. The main SOLAS types are throw-overboard rafts, davit-launched rafts, self-righting rafts and open reversible rafts for high-speed craft. Each type, its equipment pack and its typical use are explained in our article on [SOLAS inflatable liferaft types](/blog/solas-inflatable-liferaft-types-explained/) , so we will not repeat it here. In the context of this comparison, the key point is that a [davit-launched liferaft](/products/marine-safety-equipment/davit-launched-inflatable-liferaft-adl-series-12-35-persons/) is often used to replace part of the lifeboat capacity on passenger ships, because it can be boarded at deck level and lowered loaded, much like a lifeboat. If you are deciding how many persons each raft should carry, see our [life raft sizes guide](/blog/life-raft-sizes-capacity-guide/) . ## Where do rescue boats fit in? A rescue boat is not a survival craft. It is a small, fast, manoeuvrable boat used to pick people out of the water and to tow and gather liferafts. Under the LSA Code a rescue boat is typically 3.8 m to 8.5 m long, carries at least five seated persons plus one lying on a stretcher, and must be able to tow the ship's largest loaded liferaft at 2 knots. There are three common constructions: - **Rigid rescue boats**, usually GRP, sometimes aluminum. - **Inflatable rescue boats** with buoyancy tubes and an outboard motor. - **Rigid inflatable rescue boats (RIBs)**, combining a rigid hull with inflatable collars. A **fast rescue boat** is a higher-performance version, required on ro-ro passenger ships. It must keep up at least 20 knots for 4 hours in calm water with a crew of three, and at least 8 knots with a full complement. A lifeboat may be accepted as the rescue boat on some ships if it also meets the rescue boat requirements. Swift-water, flood and inland water rescue boats used by fire and emergency services are a different market. They are built to local standards rather than SOLAS. ## How many lifeboats and liferafts must a ship carry? For shipowners, the real lifeboat vs liferaft question is the carriage rule. The answer depends on ship type and length, and is set by SOLAS chapter III, regulations 21 (passenger ships) and 31 (cargo ships). The table summarizes the baseline; your flag administration or class society confirms the exact arrangement. | Ship type | Lifeboats | Liferafts | Rescue boat | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Passenger ship, international voyages | Partially or totally enclosed, at least 50% of persons on each side; rafts may replace some, but lifeboats stay at 37.5% or more per side | Additional rafts for at least 25% of persons | At least one on each side for ships of 500 GT and over | | Passenger ship, short international voyages | At least 30% of persons, where practicable split between sides | Enough to bring total survival craft capacity to 100% | At least one; one on each side at 500 GT and over | | Cargo ship, 85 m and over | Totally enclosed lifeboats for 100% on each side, or a free-fall lifeboat for 100% over the stern | 100% on one side if easily transferred; otherwise 100% on each side | At least one; a lifeboat may qualify | | Cargo ship, under 85 m (not tankers) | May be omitted | Liferafts on each side for 100%, or 150% per side where rafts cannot be transferred easily | At least one | On cargo ships where survival craft are more than 100 m from the bow or stern, an extra liferaft is required at that end. All survival craft must be launchable with the ship listed up to 20 degrees and trimmed up to 10 degrees. ## How many lifeboats are on a cruise ship? There is no fixed number: it follows from the persons on board, the lifeboat size and the flag-approved safety plan. For example, a ship certified for 4,000 persons needs lifeboat capacity for at least 1,500 on each side, which is about ten 150-person boats per side, with liferafts and marine evacuation systems covering the rest. **Are there enough lifeboats on a cruise ship?** Yes. SOLAS requires total survival craft capacity of at least 100% of everyone on board, plus extra liferafts for at least 25%. Lifeboats must cover at least 37.5% of persons on each side (75% in total), and liferafts or evacuation systems cover the rest. All survival craft must be ready to launch with a full load within 30 minutes of the abandon-ship signal. **Cruise ship lifeboat capacity** is usually up to 150 persons, the LSA Code maximum. Some of the largest cruise ships built since 2009 carry lifeboats for about 370 persons, accepted by their flag administrations as an alternative arrangement. ## What do superyachts have for lifeboats? Most superyachts do not carry lifeboats in the traditional sense. They typically carry SOLAS-type liferafts in canisters or flush deck stowage, sized for everyone on board, plus a tender or RIB that is approved to act as the rescue boat. The applicable yacht code, length and number of passengers decide the exact requirement, so check with the flag. ## Frequently asked questions What is the definition of a lifeboat? In SOLAS terms, a lifeboat is a rigid survival craft capable of sustaining the lives of people in distress from the time of abandoning ship. Unlike a liferaft, it has its own engine, steering and seating. Is a lifeboat better than a liferaft? In the lifeboat vs liferaft choice, neither is better in every case. A lifeboat offers propulsion, rigid protection and fast mass evacuation, while a liferaft is lighter, cheaper, floats free automatically and suits smaller vessels. What is an inflatable rescue boat? An inflatable rescue boat is a rescue boat built from inflatable buoyancy tubes, usually driven by an outboard motor. It is used to recover people from the water and tow liferafts, not as a survival craft. How often must lifeboats be serviced? Under IMO resolution MSC.402(96), lifeboats, rescue boats, launching appliances and release gear must have an annual thorough examination and a five-yearly overhaul by an authorized service provider. Crews also carry out weekly and monthly inspections and regular drills. What lifeboats do oil rigs use? Offshore installations generally use totally enclosed, fire-protected lifeboats, often free-fall or davit-launched, under the IMO MODU Code and national offshore rules. Liferafts and evacuation systems provide additional capacity. Can a liferaft replace a lifeboat? On cargo ships under 85 m (other than tankers), liferafts can replace lifeboats entirely. On larger ships they can replace only part of the lifeboat capacity, under the limits set in SOLAS chapter III. MARS supplies SOLAS liferafts rather than lifeboats, including [self-righting rafts](/products/marine-safety-equipment/solas-self-righting-inflatable-liferaft-asr-series-6-100-persons/) and davit-launched rafts with HRUs and cradles, as on our [merchant fleet liferaft renewal](/projects/solas-liferaft-renewal-merchant-fleet/) . For raft capacity matching to your safety plan, [contact us with the vessel particulars](/contact/) . M **MARS Engineering & Sales Team** Written by the engineering and sales team at Shanghai Mars Industrial Co., Ltd., who specify, inspect and ship marine and industrial power equipment from Shanghai every week. ## Share - [Share on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.marine-equipment-supply.com%2Fblog%2Flifeboat-vs-liferaft-survival-craft-types%2F) - [Share on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/?text=Lifeboat+vs+Liferaft%3A+Types+of+Survival+Craft+on+Ships+Explained+https%3A%2F%2Fwww.marine-equipment-supply.com%2Fblog%2Flifeboat-vs-liferaft-survival-craft-types%2F) - [Share by email](mailto:?subject=Lifeboat+vs+Liferaft%3A+Types+of+Survival+Craft+on+Ships+Explained&body=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.marine-equipment-supply.com%2Fblog%2Flifeboat-vs-liferaft-survival-craft-types%2F) **Products mentioned** - [Davit-Launched Inflatable Liferaft ADL Series (12–35 Persons)](/products/marine-safety-equipment/davit-launched-inflatable-liferaft-adl-series-12-35-persons/) - [SOLAS Self-Righting Inflatable Liferaft ASR Series (6–100 Persons)](/products/marine-safety-equipment/solas-self-righting-inflatable-liferaft-asr-series-6-100-persons/) - [Throw-Overboard Inflatable Liferaft ATOB Series (6–35 Persons)](/products/marine-safety-equipment/throw-overboard-inflatable-liferaft-atob-series-6-35-persons/) - [Open-Reversible Inflatable Liferaft AOR Series for HSC (6–152 Persons)](/products/marine-safety-equipment/open-reversible-inflatable-liferaft-aor-series-for-hsc-6-152-persons/) - [Davit-Launched Self-Righting Inflatable Liferaft ADLSR Series (12–39 Persons)](/products/marine-safety-equipment/davit-launched-self-righting-inflatable-liferaft-adlsr-series-12-39-persons/) ## Need a quotation? Send your model, application and quantity — we reply within 24 hours on working days. [Get a quote](/contact/#inquiry) ## Products from this guide OEM Liferafts · Marine Safety Equipment ### [Davit-Launched Inflatable Liferaft ADL Series (12–35 Persons)](/products/marine-safety-equipment/davit-launched-inflatable-liferaft-adl-series-12-35-persons/) A SOLAS-standard davit-launched inflatable liferaft for offshore emergency evacuation, available in 12 to 35… View details → OEM Liferafts · Marine Safety Equipment ### [SOLAS Self-Righting Inflatable Liferaft ASR Series (6–100 Persons)](/products/marine-safety-equipment/solas-self-righting-inflatable-liferaft-asr-series-6-100-persons/) A SOLAS self-righting inflatable liferaft for merchant ships, in a 6 to 100 person capacity range. It stows… View details → OEM Liferafts · Marine Safety Equipment ### [Throw-Overboard Inflatable Liferaft ATOB Series (6–35 Persons)](/products/marine-safety-equipment/throw-overboard-inflatable-liferaft-atob-series-6-35-persons/) A SOLAS throw-overboard inflatable liferaft for merchant ships, in 6 to 35 person capacities. Its packed FRP… View details → OEM Liferafts · Marine Safety Equipment ### [Open-Reversible Inflatable Liferaft AOR Series for HSC (6–152 Persons)](/products/marine-safety-equipment/open-reversible-inflatable-liferaft-aor-series-for-hsc-6-152-persons/) An open-reversible inflatable liferaft for High-Speed Craft (HSC), in 6 to 152 person capacities. Its open… View details → ## Keep reading [All articles](/blog/) Marine Safety · Oct 23, 2026 ### [Hydrostatic Release Unit (HRU): How It Works and SOLAS Rules](/blog/hydrostatic-release-unit-explained/) A hydrostatic release unit frees a liferaft from a sinking ship at a depth of no more than 4 m. Learn how an HRU works, LSA Code rules and correct… Read article → Marine Safety · Oct 23, 2026 ### [Life Raft Sizes: How to Choose 4, 6, 8 or 12+ Person Rafts](/blog/life-raft-sizes-capacity-guide/) Life raft sizes run from 4 persons for small craft and a 6-person SOLAS minimum to 25+ for ships. Learn how capacity is rated and how to choose. Read article → Marine Safety · Mar 26, 2026 ### [Liferaft Servicing and HRU Replacement: A Fleet Manager's Guide](/blog/liferaft-servicing-hru-replacement-guide/) Liferaft servicing is required at intervals of no more than 12 months under SOLAS III/20. Learn HRU replacement, A vs B packs and how to plan fleet… Read article → URL: https://www.marine-equipment-supply.com/blog/lifeboat-vs-liferaft-survival-craft-types/