1.02 SECTION C _ 2021 MK7_MK8 Life Raft Solicitation_08.28.20.pdf

PART I - THE SCHEDULE

SECTION C

SPECIFICATION

(28 Aug 2020)

CLIN: 0001

ITEM: Inflatable life raft

NSN: 4220-01-444-6260

NSN: 4220-01-475-3185

1. SCOPE

1.1 Scope. This specification covers the 25-person (Mark-7) Mod 2 and 50-Person (Mark-8) Mod 2 inflatable life rafts, including inflation system and survival gear, packed within a rigid stowage container, ready for use as abandon ship survival equipment.

1.2 Government-Furnished Property. The following is a list of Government-furnished property (GFP) that will be provided to the life raft original equipment manufacturer (OEM), for packing with each new life raft.

PROPERTY NATIONAL STOCK

NUMBER (NSN)

QTY

Abandon-Ship Signal Kit 1370-01-366-0344 or

1370-01-418-2657

1 ea.

Survival Instructions 0910-LP-102-2272 1 ea.

Manual Reverse Osmosis Desalinator (MROD)

4610-01-319-5337 1 ea.

2. APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS

2.1 General. The documents listed in this section are specified in sections 3 and 4 of this specification. This section does not include documents cited in other sections of this specification or recommended for additional information or as examples. While every effort has been made to ensure the completeness of this list, document users are cautioned that they must meet all specified requirements of documents cited in sections 3 and 4 of this specification, whether or not they are listed.

2.2 Government documents.

2.2.1 Specifications, standards, and handbooks. The following specifications, standards, and handbooks form a part of this document to the extent specified herein. Unless otherwise specified, the issues of these documents are those cited in the solicitation or contract.

FEDERAL STANDARDS

FED-STD-191 Textile Test Methods

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE SPECIFICATIONS

MIL-R-52255 Repair Kit and Repair Kit Components, for Collapsible Fabric Tanks, Drums, and Boats

MS27826 Plug Assembly (Sealing Clamp) Life Raft Repair

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE STANDARDS

MIL-STD-810 Environmental Engineering Considerations and Laboratory Tests

(Copies of these documents are available online at https://quicksearch.dla.mil/.)

2.2.2 Other Government documents, drawings, and publications. The following other Government documents, drawings, and publications form a part of this document to the extent specified herein. Unless otherwise specified, the issues of these documents are those cited in the solicitation or contract.

CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS (CFR)

46 CFR 160.026 Water, Emergency Drinking (in Hermetically Sealed Containers), for Merchant Vessels

46 CFR 160.043 Jackknife (with Can Opener) for Merchant Vessels

46 CFR 160.054 Kits, First-Aid, for Inflatable Liferafts

46 CFR 160.061 Fishing Tackle Kits, Emergency, for Merchant Vessels

46 CFR 160.151 Inflatable Liferafts (SOLAS)

46 CFR 164.018 Retroreflective Material for Lifesaving Equipment

(Copies of these documents are available online at www.ecfr.gov.)

NAVAL SEA SYSTEMS COMMAND (NAVSEA) DRAWINGS

583-5106577 Container - Type II - Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic for 50 Person Inflatable Life Raft

583-5111055 Container, U.S.N. Life Raft, 25-Person

(Copies of these documents are available online at https://199.208.213.105/webjedmics/index.jsp. To request an NSEDR account for drawing access, send an email to NNSY_JEDMICS_NSEDR_HELP_DESK@navy.mil.)

NAVSEA TECHNICAL PUBLICATIONS

S9008-EA-INS-010 Survival at Sea Instructions for the Operation and Use of the U.S. Navy 25-Person Life Raft (Mark 7) and 50-Person Life Raft (Mark 8)

(Copies of this document are available online via Technical Data Management Information System (TDMIS) at https://mercury.tdmis.navy.mil/ by searching for the TMIN without the suffix. Refer questions, inquiries, or problems to: DSN 296-0669, Commercial (805) 228-0669. This document is available for ordering (hard copy) via the Naval Logistics Library at https://nll.ahf.nmci.navy.mil. For questions regarding the NLL, contact the NLL Customer Service at nllhelpdesk@navy.mil, (866) 817-3130, or (215) 697-2626/DSN 442-2626.)

2.3 Non-Government publications. The following documents form a part of this document to the extent specified herein. Unless otherwise specified, the issues of these documents are those cited in the solicitation or contract.

ASTM INTERNATIONAL

ASTM B36/B36M Standard Specification for Brass Plate, Sheet, Strip, And Rolled Bar

ASTM D413 Standard Test Methods for Rubber Property–Adhesion to Flexible Substrate

ASTM D471 Standard Test Method for Rubber Property–Effect of Liquids https://quicksearch.dla.mil/ http://www.ecfr.gov/ https://199.208.213.105/webjedmics/index.jsp mailto:NNSY_JEDMICS_NSEDR_HELP_DESK@navy.mil https://mercury.tdmis.navy.mil/ https://nll.ahf.nmci.navy.mil/

ASTM D751 Standard Test Methods for Coated Fabrics

ASTM D2261 Standard Test Method for Tearing Strength of Fabrics by the Tongue (Single Rip) Procedure (Constant-Rate-of-Extension Tensile Testing Machine)

(Copies of these documents are available online at www.astm.org.)

COMPRESSED GAS ASSOCIATION, INC. (CGA)

CGA G-7.1 Commodity Specification for Air

(Copies of this document are available online at www.cganet.com.)

DEFENSE ACQUISITION UNIVERSITY (DAU)

Nomograph of Cumulative Binomial Distribution – Sampling Chart

(Copies of this document are available online at https://myclass.dau.edu/bbcswebdav/xid-2521820_4)

INTERNATIONAL MARITIME ORGANIZATION (IMO)

IMO Resolution MSC.48(66) Chapter I, Regulation 1.2

General Requirements for Life-Saving Appliances

IMO Resolution MSC.48(66) Chapter IV, Regulation 4.1

General Requirements for Liferafts

IMO Resolution MSC.48(66) Chapter IV, Regulation 4.2

Inflatable Liferafts

IMO Resolution MSC.81(70)

Revised Recommendation on Testing of Life-Saving Appliances

SOLAS V/16 Safety of Navigation – Maintenance of Equipment

(Copies of these documents are available online at www.imo.org.)

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY (NIST)

NIST SP 440 Color: Universal Language and Dictionary of Names

NIST SP 1038 The International System of Units (SI) - Conversion Factors for General Use

(Copies of these documents are available online at https://archive.org/details/NISTresearchlibrary)

NATIONAL MOTOR FREIGHT TRAFFIC ASSOCIATION (NMFTA)

National Motor Freight Traffic Association, Inc.

Agent National Motor Freight Classification

(Copies of these documents are available online at: www.nmfta.org)

SAE-INTERNATIONAL

SAE International’s

ANSI/EIA-649

Configuration Management Standard

(Copies of this document are available online at https://www.sae.org/standards/content/eia649_1/) http://www.astm.org/ http://www.cganet.com/ https://myclass.dau.edu/bbcswebdav/xid-2521820_4 http://www.imo.org/ https://archive.org/details/NISTresearchlibrary http://www.nmfta.org/

2.4 Order of precedence. Unless otherwise noted herein or in the contract, in the event of a conflict between the text of this document and the references cited herein, the text of this document takes precedence. Nothing in this document, however, supersedes applicable laws and regulations unless a specific exemption has been obtained.

3. REQUIREMENTS

3.1 General compliance. The contractor shall manufacture, inspect, test, and package all Mark-7 Mod 2 and Mark-8 Mod 2 inflatable life rafts in accordance with the requirements of this specification.

3.1.1 First article testing. When required (see 6.2), a sample shall be subjected to first article testing (FAT) in accordance with 4.2.

3.1.1.1 A sample shall be subjected to FAT in accordance with 4.2. Any changes or deviations of the life raft from the approved first article during production shall be subject to the approval of the Contracting Officer.

3.1.1.2 Approval of the first article shall not relieve the Contractor of his obligation to furnish an inflatable life raft conforming to this specification.

3.1.2 Production lot approval. A production lot test and approval shall be required.

3.1.3 Configuration control. When the Contractor has received authorization on a prior contract for the same NSN for the use of a drawing of a later revision status, that authorization shall be hereby extended to all succeeding contracts/purchase orders until another drawing revision has been approved. The Contractor shall notify the Primary Contracting Officer (PCO) of this occurrence in each instance, in the response to the solicitation. Such notification shall be in writing setting forth the contract under which the prior authorization was granted, the date of the granting of the authorization, and the name of the granting authority.

3.1.3.1 The Contractors shall also refer technical inquiries (other than those covered by ANSI/EIA-649) on company letterhead, signed by a responsible company official. The original and two copies of all Contractor-generated correspondence regarding configuration shall be submitted to the following address:

Contracting Officer DLA Mechanicsburg DLR Procurement OPS DSCC-ZI COC W5 P.O. Box 2020 5450 Carlisle Pike Mechanicsburg, PA 17055-0788

3.1.3.2 The Contractor is cautioned that implementing engineering changes, waivers, deviations or technical inquiries into the contract/purchase order without approval of the Contracting Officer shall be at the sole risk of the Contractor.

3.1.4 Responsibility inspection and compliance.

3.1.4.1 Inspection. The Contractor is responsible for the performance of all inspection requirements as specified herein. Except as otherwise specified in the contract or purchase order, the Contractor may use his/her own or any other facilities suitable for the performance of inspection requirements specified herein, unless previously disapproved by the Government. Be aware that the Government reserves the right to perform any of the inspections set forth in this specification, where such inspections are deemed necessary, to ensure supplies and services conform to prescribed requirements.

3.1.4.2 Compliance. All items must meet all requirements of this contract/purchase order. The inspection set forth in this contract becomes a part of the Contractor’s overall inspection system or quality program. The absence of any inspection requirements does not relieve the Contractor of the responsibility of assuring that all products or supplies submitted to the Government for acceptance comply with all requirements of the contract/purchase order.

Sampling of quality conformance does not authorize submission of known defective material, either indicated or actual, nor does it commit the Government to acceptance of defective material.

3.1.5 Contractor certification. The Contractor shall certify and maintain objective quality evidence (OQE) that the product offered meets the characteristics of Section 3 of the specification, and that the product conforms to the producer’s own drawings, specifications, standards, and quality assurance practices. Be aware that the Government reserves the right to require proof of such conformance prior to first delivery, and thereafter, as will be otherwise provided for under the provisions of the contract.

3.1.6 Documentation.

3.1.6.1 Records management for test documentation. The Contractor shall retain on file for a period of five years, records that contain material (production lot test) test results and test records.

3.1.6.2 Certification documentation. The Contractor shall ship each life raft with a certification documentation, which includes the below-listed information, in tabular form/columns or in a spreadsheet format:

a. Contract Number

b. Life Raft Serial Number

c. Date of Manufacture

d. Date of Certification

e. Flare Lot Number

f. MROD Serial Number

g. Primary Inflation Cylinder Manufacturer and Serial Number

h. Primary Inflation Valve Manufacturer and Serial Number

i. Secondary Inflation Cylinder Manufacturer and Serial Number

j. Secondary Inflation Valve Manufacturer and Serial Number

3.1.6.3 Periodic reports. The Contractor shall submit periodic reports, quarterly at a minimum, with life raft certification data, as specified in 3.1.6.2 for all new life rafts, to the Naval Surface Warfare Center Carderock Division, Detachment Norfolk (NSWCCD DN) Code 8326 Boat Inventory Management (BIM) Office. The reports shall be emailed to the following address: BOATS_BIM@navy.mil.

3.2 Recycled, recovered, environmentally preferable, or biobased materials. Recycled, recovered, environmentally preferable, or biobased materials should be used to the maximum extent possible, provided that the material meets or exceeds the operational and maintenance requirements, and promotes economically advantageous life cycle costs.

3.3 Regulatory compliance. The life raft shall be an existing product or non-developmental item (NDI) that currently holds U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) approval. Except as specified herein, the inflatable life raft shall also meet the requirements of Chapter IV of MSC.48(66) and 46 CFR 160.151. The inflatable life raft shall be constructed in accordance with the following the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) 74/83, hereinafter referred to as SOLAS, provisions:

a. IMO Resolution MSC.48(66) Chapter I, Regulation 1.2

b. IMO Resolution MSC.48(66) Chapter IV, Regulation 4.1

c. IMO Resolution MSC.48(66) Chapter IV, Regulation 4.2

3.4 Design and construction.

3.4.1 Shape. The inflated life raft may be circular, hexagonal, octagonal, elliptical, or similar outline in plan view.

3.4.2 Resistance to deterioration. All materials used in the construction of the life raft shall not be subject to deterioration from the effects of weathering aboard ship under the conditions of usual stowage, nor from contact with salt water or spray or petroleum products. The life raft shall be resistant to deterioration where exposed to sunlight.

mailto:BOATS_BIM@navy.mil

3.4.3 Stability. The life raft shall have water-capturing stability appendages on its underside, to resist capsizing from wind and wave forces. These appendages shall meet the following requirements:

a. The total volume of the appendages shall be not less than 500 liters for the Mark-7 life raft and 1,000 liters for the Mark-8 life raft. Any opening designed to close as water is forced out of an appendage is not considered an opening for the purpose of this calculation.

b. The appendages shall be securely attached and evenly distributed around the periphery of the exterior bottom of the life raft. The appendages may be omitted at the locations of inflation cylinders.

c. Openings in or between the stability appendages shall be provided to limit the formation of air pockets under the life raft.

d. The appendages shall be designed to deploy underwater when the life raft inflates. If weights are used for this purpose, they shall be of non-corrodible material or protected against corrosion.

3.4.4 Body.

3.4.4.1 Buoyancy chambers. Two main buoyancy chambers shall be superimposed, one atop the other, each inflated through a non-return inflation valve on each chamber. The buoyancy chambers shall be arranged so that, in the event of any one of the chambers being damaged or failing to inflate, the intact compartments shall be able to support, with positive freeboard over the life raft’s entire periphery, 25 persons (Mark-7) or 50 persons (Mark-8), each having a mass of 82.5 kilograms and seated in their normal positions.

3.4.4.2 Storage pockets. Pockets or equivalent stowage bags shall be fitted for stowage of hand pumps, repair kits, instruction manuals, and other equipment needed immediately on launching.

3.4.4.3 Future equipment stowage pocket. A pocket to be used for future equipment shall be located on the side of the arch tube so as not to strike a seated occupant. The pocket shall be sized to hold a rectangular shape, 23 centimeters (9 inches) tall, 10 centimeters (4 inches) wide, and 5 centimeters (2 inches) thick, with a weight capacity of up to 1.13 kilograms (2.5 pounds) and the opening on the top end. The pocket shall have a flap that closes the opening and is secured closed with two pairs of 1.27-centimeter (½-inch) wide twill tape ties.

3.4.4.4 Reinforcing patches. Reinforcing patches shall be substantially fitted in way of the attachments for the righting line, painter, sea anchor line, etc.

3.4.4.5 Inflation cylinder holders. The holders for retaining the inflation cylinders shall be substantially fitted and sufficiently strong to retain the cylinders when the life raft is inflated or when the life raft is dropped into the water.

3.4.4.6 Exposed surfaces. All exposed surfaces shall be reasonably smooth and free from sharp protrusions or projections that might be injurious in boarding or occupancy.

3.4.5 Floor. The floor of the life raft shall be waterproof and shall be capable of being sufficiently insulated against cold by means of one or more compartments, which the occupants can manually inflate or which inflate automatically and can be deflated and re-inflated by the occupants. Insulation by other equally efficient means not dependent on inflation may also be used.

3.4.6 Canopy. The life raft design shall incorporate an inner and outer canopy to insulate the occupants from the weather, which shall automatically erect upon initial inflation of the life raft. Means shall be provided to prevent accumulation of water in the air gap. The canopy shall provide headroom at a minimum for occupants of 175.4 centimeter height (approximately 5 feet 9 inches), and provision shall be made for furling the ends to allow entry of occupants, free passage of air, and room for paddling. Provision for catching rain water shall be incorporated onto the canopy. The canopy shall be provided with at least one viewing port for the Mark-7 and two viewing ports for the Mark-8. Ventilation ports (vents) shall be incorporated in the canopy to allow for air exchanges when canopy doors/entrances are closed (see 3.11.10 and 4.7.8). The interior of the canopy shall be of a color that does not cause discomfort to the occupants.

3.4.7 Entrances. The life raft shall have at least two diametrically opposite entrances. Each entrance shall be clearly indicated and be provided with efficient adjustable closing arrangements which can be easily and quickly opened from inside and outside the life raft so as to permit ventilation, but exclude seawater, wind, and cold.

3.4.8 Laps and seams. The rafts shall be constructed with heat sealed seams. Each seam shall be at least as strong as the weakest of the materials joined by the seam. Each seam shall be covered with tape where necessary to prevent lifting of and damage to fabric edges. Vulcanization shall not be used. Chemically cured adhesives and radio frequency (RF) welded (polyurethane-coated fabrics) methods are acceptable and shall meet the requirements of 3.10.3 and 3.10.4. There shall be no sewing that penetrates the fabric of an air retaining chamber.

3.4.9 Dissimilar materials. Where dissimilar materials are joined in the construction of the inflatable life raft, provisions shall be made to prevent loosening or tightening due to differences in thermal expansion, freezing, buckling, galvanic corrosion, or other incompatibilities.

3.4.10 Retro-reflective material. The life raft shall be marked with type I retro-reflective material approved under 46 CFR 164.018. Retro-reflective materials shall be fitted around the canopy of the life raft. The material shall be sufficiently wide and long to give a minimum area of 150 square centimeters (cm2) and shall be spaced at intervals approximately 80 millimeters from center to center, at a height above the waterline, doorways included, for most visibility. Retro-reflective materials shall also be fitted to the underside of the floor, cross-shaped in the center. The dimension of the cross shall be half the diameter of the life raft and a similar cross shall be applied to the top of the canopy.

3.4.11 Color. The primary color of the exterior of the canopy shall be vivid reddish orange (color number 34 of NIST SP 440), or a fluorescent color of a similar hue. The remainder of the life raft may be the natural color of the finished coated fabric, except that the underside of the floor shall be dark blue, dark grey, or black. In addition, fabric for storage pockets or equivalent stowage bags, including survival equipment bags (see 3.4.4.2, 3.4.4.3, and 3.7.24), shall not be yellow.

3.4.12 Container. The life raft containers shall be constructed in accordance with NAVSEA Drawing 583-5111055 for the Mark-7 life raft and NAVSEA Drawing 583-5106577 for the Mark-8 life raft. The container shall be held closed with ASTM B36/B36M brass bands, 1.9 centimeters (¾ inch) wide, 0.05 centimeter (0.020 inch) thick, which are secured closed with two corrosion-resistant steel (CRES) securing clips on each band;

there shall be two bands on the Mark-7 container and four bands on the Mark-8 container. The life raft shall be packed in its container in such a way as to ensure that the waterborne life raft inflates in an upright position on breaking free from its container.

3.4.13 Inflation. Inflation shall take place upon the pulling of the painter line, which may be accomplished manually both from the deck of a vessel or by a swimmer in the water. In addition, inflation connections shall be provided for use with the manually operated pump or bellows. Refer to 3.6 for the inflation system requirements.

3.4.14 Workmanship and materials. The life raft shall be constructed with proper workmanship and materials.

A multiplicity of pin holes in any particular section shall not be considered repairable. Treating or swashing the inflatable members of the life raft with latex or any other sealing agents to remedy pin holes is not permissible. The ends of all ropes and webbing shall be fused, whipped, or otherwise secured to prevent fraying. Life raft coated fabric materials shall meet the performance requirements of 3.10.

3.4.14.1 Repair and rework. Repair or rework shall be as follows:

3.4.14.1.1 Damage to base fabric. For damage incidental to the manufacturing and handling processes of the life raft where the base fabric has been penetrated, patch type repairs are permitted subject to the following:

a. Damage is not longer than 25 millimeters in any direction.

b. Damage does not enter an air retaining seam and is not within 75 millimeters of an air retaining seam.

c. Damage does not pass under or within 100 millimeters of any major anchorage point such as a towing patch, sea painter patch, or righting ladder patch.

d. There are no more than two patch type repairs for fabric damage per life raft.

e. The patch material is coated with the same type of coating as the material being repaired.

f. Any adhesive used is compatible with the coating on both the patch and repaired fabric.

g. The patch material is coated on both sides of its base fabric.

h. Patches extend 25 millimeters past the outer extent of the damage to be repaired and the patch corners are rounded.

i. If the patch repairs an air retaining chamber, an air retention test in accordance with 4.7.1 is successfully performed.

3.4.14.1.2 Damage to fabric coating. For incidental defects or damage of fabric coating where the base fabric has sustained no damage, patch type repairs are permitted subject to the following:

a. Damage is not longer than 25 millimeters in any direction.

b. There are no more than four patch type repairs for fabric coating damage per life raft.

c. The patch material is coated with the same type of coating as the material being repaired.

d. Any adhesive used is compatible with the coating on both patch and repaired fabric.

e. The patch material is coated on both sides of its base fabric.

f. Patches extend 25 millimeters past the outer extent of the damage to be repaired and the patch corners are rounded.

g. If the patch repairs are in an air retaining chamber, an air retention test in accordance with 4.7.1 is successfully performed.

3.4.14.1.3 Sealants. Sealants – for examples, materials such as polyurethane, silicone, neoprene, etc. - used to reduce wicking of air through fabric substrate; shall not be used to remedy defects or repair damage. Sealants may be used as part of the manufacturing process to enhance air retention by the coating of fabric edges at seams and cover/doubler patches to reduce wicking of air through the base fabric.

3.4.14.2 Maximum allowable repairs. Wherever repair is found to be necessary, a maximum of 15 repairs or reworks, combined, shall be permitted.

3.4.15 Temperature ranges. The life raft shall operate throughout a seawater temperature range of -30 to +71°C (-22 to +160 °F), and shall not be damaged in stowage throughout an air temperature range of -30 to +71 C.

3.5 Life raft fittings. The life raft shall be provided with the following fittings.

3.5.1 Boarding ramp. On the Mark-7 life raft, at least one entrance shall be fitted with a semi-rigid inflatable boarding ramp. The Mark-8 shall have at least two entrances fitted with boarding ramps. The boarding ramp shall have sufficient size and buoyancy to support one person weighing 100 kilograms in a sitting or kneeling position without holding onto any other part of the life raft. The boarding ramp shall be arranged so as to prevent deflation of the life raft if the ramp is damaged.

3.5.2 Boarding ladder. Entrances not provided with a boarding ramp shall have a boarding ladder, the lowest step of which shall be situated not less than 400 millimeters below the life raft’s light waterline. The steps of the boarding ladder shall be of rigid or semi-rigid construction and secured against rotation, to provide a firm foothold capable of supporting a person weighing 76 kilograms (approximately 168 pounds), at a minimum. There shall be means inside the life raft to assist persons in pulling themselves into the life raft from the ladder.

3.5.3 Exterior canopy lamp. The Mark-7 life raft shall be equipped with one exterior canopy lamp; the Mark-8 life raft shall have two. The lamp shall be the exterior raft light, Part Number 47800, from Adventure Lights Inc.; or equal.

3.5.4 Interior canopy lamp. The Mark-7 life raft have one interior canopy lamp, fitted inside the life raft; the Mark-8 life raft shall have two. The lamp shall the interior/boarding raft light, Part Number 47850, from Adventure Lights Inc.; or equal.

3.5.5 Lifelines. One lifeline shall be fitted around the outside periphery and one around the inside of the life raft. The two lifelines shall be made of 14-millimeter minimum width nylon tubular webbing, or 10-millimeter minimum diameter rope, or equivalent. Each lifeline attachment patch shall have a minimum breaking strength of

1.5 kiloNewton (kN) pull exerted in a direction perpendicular to the base of the patch. Each bight of the exterior lifeline shall be long enough to allow the lifeline to reach to the waterline of the life raft when it is afloat.

3.5.6 Sea painter system. A sea painter with bung assembly shall be provided for inflating and holding the life raft during boarding. It shall be a sea painter with bung assembly, part number HRC-950, from Hampton Rubber Co., or equal. The sea painter, with an approximate breaking strength of 1.77 kN, shall act as the weak link. The sea painter and rubber plug shall be installed as shown on figure 1.

FIGURE 1. Sea painter/bung assembly arrangement.

3.5.7 Righting gear. Handholds or webbing straps on the underside of the floor shall be provided to enable a righting moment to be exerted. Handholds or webbing straps shall be of sufficient strength to allow for righting of the inverted life raft. The righting strap shall run the full width of the life raft and shall be secured to the buoyancy chamber on both sides of the life raft. The stability of the life raft when in the inverted position shall be such that it can be righted in a sea way and in calm water by one person.

3.5.8 Towing/mooring connections. Four towing/mooring connections shall be provided, one each at opposite ends of the life raft on the lower inflatable hull tube section and two connections spaced equidistant on the lower hull tube between those two fittings. The mooring/towing connections shall be marked to indicate their function. The life raft and its fittings shall be constructed so as to enable it to be towed at a speed of 3 knots in calm water when loaded with its full complement of persons and equipment and with one of its sea anchors deployed.

3.6 Inflation system. The life raft shall be equipped with an automatic inflation system, which consists of a commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) standard Department of Transportation (DOT)-approved carbon fiber over aluminum composite cylinder, a shop repairable inflation valve, and a multi-use inflation hose with end fittings compatible with the inflation valve and the raft inlet check valve. The inflation gas shall be Grade D breathable air in accordance with CGA G-7.1, with a maximum pressure of 31 megapascals (MPa) at 21 °C. The inflation valve shall be serviceable by life raft shop personnel with an appropriate rebuild kit available.

3.6.1 Inflation cylinders. Inflation cylinders shall be carbon fiber wrapped aluminum composite air cylinders with a minimum service life of 15 years. The Mark-7 life raft inflation cylinders shall have a female valve port sized to accept an inflation valve with 0.875-14 UNF (male) threads and an O-ring mating surface such that a minimum of six threads are engaged and there is a maximum working pressure of 31 MPa (4,500 pounds per square inch [psi]). The Mark-7 cylinder shall have a volume of 9,013 centimeters cubed (cm3) (550 cubic inches [in3]), a diameter of 17.78±0.635 centimeters (7±0.25 inches), and an overall length of 54.61±1.27 centimeters (21.5±0.5 inches). The Mark-8 composite inflation cylinders shall be sized as necessary to meet inflation requirements of the life raft in all stated temperature extremes. Each compressed gas inflation cylinder within the life raft shall be installed as follows:

a. The slings and reinforcements shall be of sufficient strength to retain the inflation cylinders in place when the life raft is dropped into the water from a height of 23 meters during deployment.

b. The painter and inflation cylinders of the life raft are linked to start inflation when the painter is pulled by one person exerting a force not exceeding 250 Newtons (N).

3.6.2 Inflation valve. The inflation valve shall be equipped with a safety relief feature which will release the cylinder pressure when the cylinder reaches a pressure of five-thirds the maximum working pressure of the inflation cylinder.

3.6.3 Pressure relief valve poppet retainer. Poppet retainers for rendering pressure relief valves inoperable shall be provided for every pressure relief valve installed in the life raft, unless the pressure relief valves are of a type that can be rendered inoperable. If provided, pressure relief valve poppet retainers shall either float or be secured to the life raft by a lanyard.

3.6.4 Valves. The pressure relief valves, inlet check valves, and topping off/dumping valves shall fit in a hull tube-mounted flange system with a 1.312016 UN-2B thread opening. The flanges shall be mounted in the hull tubes, arch tube, and any other inflatable section requiring these types of valves. The flanges shall be adhered to the inflatable sections using RF welding for polyurethane-coated fabrics or appropriate adhesive for the materials being joined. The relief valves shall open/relieve at a pressure not greater than 130 percent of the designed working pressure, and shall close/reseat at a pressure not less than 100 percent of the designed working pressure. There shall be a differential between opening and closing pressures of 21 millibar (0.3 psi). The relief valves shall be as small as practicable, and shall be mounted on a flat molded universal flange that can be easily attached to the life raft flotation tubes. All metal parts that can cause damage to the life raft fabric shall be covered with molded neoprene or polyurethane.

3.7 Life raft equipment. The equipment in paragraphs 3.7.1 through 3.7.24 shall be provided with each life raft.

3.7.1 Buoyant rescue quoit and heaving line. A buoyant rescue quoit and heaving line not less than 30 meters in length and having a breaking strength of not less than 1.1 kN shall be provided and shall be attached to the life raft near the entrance furthest from the painter attachment.

3.7.2 Knife. Two knives shall be provided. One knife of the non-folding type having a buoyant handle and lanyard attached shall be stowed in a pocket on the exterior of the canopy near the point at which the painter is attached, and one of the folding type in accordance with 46 CFR 160.043 shall be stowed in the survival equipment bag or bags.

3.7.3 Bailer. One or two bailers having a total aggregate volume of at least 2 liters shall be provided. Each bailer shall be equipped with a lanyard which is at least 1 meter in length.

3.7.4 Cellulose sponge. Two cellulose sponges, each having a volume of at least 750 cm3 when saturated with water, shall be provided.

3.7.5 Sea anchor. Two sea anchors, each with a shock-resistant hawser and tripping line, shall be provided. One sea anchor, being the primary sea anchor, shall be permanently attached to the life raft in such a way that, when the life raft inflates or is waterborne, it will cause the life raft to lie oriented to the wind in the most stable manner, and the other, being a spare sea anchor, shall be packed in the survival equipment. The strength of each sea anchor and its hawser and tripping line shall be selected for all sea conditions. The sea anchors shall be fitted with a swivel at each end of the line and shall be of a type that is unlikely to turn inside-out between its shroud lines. Sea anchors without the swivel may be used if, during the towing test, their design is demonstrated to be of a type that does not rotate when streamed. The sea anchors are not required to have the tripping lines if, during the towing test, their design is demonstrated to be of a type that can be hauled in by one person.

3.7.6 Buoyant paddles. Two buoyant paddles at least 1.2 meters long shall be provided. The paddles shall be of the same size and type as used to pass the maneuverability test of Part 1, 5.10 of IMO Resolution MSC.81(70).

3.7.7 Pump or bellows. A manually operated pump or bellows, with a connecting fitting compatible with the topping-off valve and capable of inflating any inflatable chamber to its working pressure, shall be provided. The Mark-7 life raft shall have at least one pump or bellows and the Mark-8 shall have at least two pumps or bellows.

3.7.8 First-aid kit. The Mark-7 life raft shall be provided with one First Aid Kit (FAK); the Mark-8 life raft shall have two. The FAK shall be the “TacMedTM Life Raft FAK”, product number 80-0034, from Tactical Medical (TacMed) Solutions; or equal. All contents of the FAK shall have a minimum shelf-life of 12 months remaining, when the FAK is packed in the life raft container.

3.7.9 Abandon ship signal kit. An abandon ship signal kit (National Stock Number [NSN] 1370-01-366-0344 or 370-01-418-2657) shall be packed with the survival equipment. The kit shall contain six Mark-124 day/night signals and two Mark-79 aerial signal kits. The abandon ship signal kit shall be Government-furnished property (GFP), as specified (see 6.3).

3.7.10 Electric flashlight. One electric LED flashlight shall be provided. It shall be capable of a minimum of 60 lumen output after 4 hours of use, be bright orange or yellow in color, and shall use no more than 4 AA 1.5 VDC lithium batteries. The maximum brightness shall not exceed 120 lumens. It shall be waterproof to a depth of 2 meters.

It shall have an on/off switch that allows for momentary signaling, such as Morse code signaling. It shall have a lanyard with a circumferential length of 1 meter±5 centimeters to hang about the neck.

3.7.11 Mirror, signaling. One daylight signaling mirror with instructions on its use for signaling to ships and aircraft shall be provided.

3.7.12 Whistle. One ball type whistle or multi-tone whistle, made of corrosion-resistant materials, shall be provided.

3.7.13 Lifesaving signal waterproof card. One copy of the lifesaving signals referred to in SOLAS V/16 shall be provided on a waterproof card or in a waterproof container.

3.7.14 Fishing tackle. One emergency fishing tackle kit shall be provided in accordance with 46 CFR 160.061.

3.7.15 Food rations. Each Mark-7 life raft shall be equipped with 25 food rations and each Mark-8 with 50 food rations. Each food ration shall total not less than 10,000 kilojoules. The rations shall be kept in airtight packaging and shall be stowed in a watertight container. Rations shall be palatable and have a minimum shelf-life of 5 years and a minimum remaining shelf-life of 48 months when packed in the life raft container. Each food ration shall be packaged in a manner whereby it can be readily divided into daily portions and easily opened. Each ration shall have its contents packed into a minimum of six individually wrapped portions. Each ration shall be labeled “Ration for one person for three days” and shall have a USCG approval number.

3.7.16 Drinking water. Each Mark-7 life raft shall be packed with 25 bottles of drinking water and each Mark-8 with 50 bottles of drinking water. Each 500-milliliter plastic watertight bottle of potable water shall meet the requirements of 46 CFR 160.026. The bottle shall be graduated in 100-milliliter increments. The drinking water shall have a minimum overall shelf-life of 5 years and shall be packed in the life raft container with not less than 48 months remaining of the shelf-life.

3.7.17 Manual reverse osmosis desalinator (MROD). One MROD shall be packed with the survival equipment.

The MROD (NSN 4610-01-319-5337) shall be GFP, as specified (see 6.2 and 6.3).

3.7.18 Anti-seasickness medicine. Six doses of anti-seasickness medicine shall be provided for each person (Mark-7: 25 persons, Mark-8: 50 persons). There shall be a minimum of 12 months remaining of the shelf-life for the anti-sickness medicine when packed in the life raft container. The medication shall be one of the following:

a. Dimenhydrinate in 50-milligram tablets;

b. A combination of 25 milligrams of promethazine hydrochloride and 25 milligrams of ephedrine sulfate, comprising each single dose, to be taken at 6-hour intervals; or

c. A transdermal patch containing scopolamine formulated for at least 2 days’ use, with each patch counted as six doses.

3.7.19 Survival instructions. Each life raft shall be equipped with one waterproof hardcopy of

S9008-EA-INS-010 (NSN 0910-LP-102-2272), which are the instructions on how to survive in a life raft. The instructions will be provided as GFP (see 6.2 and 6.3), and shall be suspended in a clear film envelope from one of the canopy arch tubes.

3.7.20 Immediate action instructions. Each life raft shall be equipped with one hardcopy of immediate action instructions. The instructions for immediate action shall:

a. Be waterproof.

b. Be in English.

c. Explain both the noise accompanying the operation of any provided pressure relief valves and the need to render them inoperable after they complete venting.

d. Be suspended from the inside canopy, so they are immediately visible by survivors upon entering the life raft.

They may be contained in the same envelope with the instructions on how to survive, if the instructions for immediate action are visible from both faces of the envelope.

3.7.21 Thermal protective aid. Thermal protection shall be provided for the occupants of the life raft by aluminized Mylar thermal protective blankets. The Mark-7 shall be equipped with 12 each and the Mark-8 with 25 each thermal protective blankets. The blankets shall have the following salient characteristics:

a. Be made of waterproof material having a thermal conductivity of not more than 0.25 watt per square meter degree Kelvin.

b. Have a physical size of 2.15 by 1.4 meters, with a tolerance in both length and width of ±0.15 meter.

c. Have coated material with a minimum tensile strength of 82.7 Newtons per square millimeter (N/mm2) and a thickness of 0.012 millimeter, -0.0 millimeter.

d. Be packed in a waterproof package with a desiccant pack.

3.7.22 Repair outfit. Repair kits shall be provided and installed in a pocket or survival equipment bag inside the life raft. The Mark-7 shall have two repair kits and the Mark-8 shall have four repair kits. Each kit shall:

a. Be sealed in a waterproof package with a desiccant pack to prevent moisture.

b. Contain one each of the following size sealing clamps in accordance with guidance provided in MS27826 and MIL-R-52255, and as follows in table I.

TABLE I. Clamp size guidance chart.

MS27826 MIL-R-52255

CLAMP SIZE

(Approximated) PART NO. NSN PART NO. NSN

76-millimeter (3-inch)

MS27826-1 5340-00-720-8864 N/A 5342-00-720-8864

127-millimeter (5-inch)

MS27826-2 5340-00-720-8863 N/A 5342-00-720-8863

190-millimeter (7½-inch)

MS27826-3 5340-00-720-8858 N/A 5342-00-720-8858

3.7.23 Spare battery pack. Each life raft shall have a spare battery pack located in the same survival equipment bag where the flashlight is stowed. The spare battery pack shall be configured so that the terminals on the batteries cannot make contact with the terminals of other batteries within the package. The batteries shall be stored in a re-closeable waterproof pouch or container along with a desiccant pack. The spare battery pack for the Mark-7 life raft shall contain 10 each 1.5-volt DC, AA-sized lithium batteries, and the spare battery pack for the Mark-8 life raft shall contain 14 each 1.5-volt DC, AA-sized lithium batteries.

3.7.24 Survival equipment bag(s). The life raft shall be provided with a survival equipment stowage bag or bags of a waterproof material having a re-sealable, watertight opening; these shall be capable of being tied to the inside of the life raft with short lengths of nylon line, webbing, or equivalent and shall be sized to stow the below-listed equipment. The survival equipment bag(s) shall be located and secured inside the life raft and shall remain inside the life raft upon inflation.

a. Knife, folding (see 3.7.2)

b. Bailer(s) (see 3.7.3)

c. Sponges (see 3.7.4)

d. FAK (see 3.7.8)

e. Abandon ship signal kit (see 3.7.9)

f. Electric flashlight and batteries (see 3.7.10)

g. Mirror, signaling (see 3.7.11)

h. Whistle (see 3.7.12)

i. Fishing tackle (see 3.7.14)

j. Food rations (see 3.7.15)

k. Drinking water, bottled (see 3.7.16)

l. MROD (see 3.7.17)

m. Anti-seasickness medicine (see 3.7.18)

n. Thermal protective aids (see 3.7.21)

o. Spare battery pack (see 3.7.23)

3.8 Size and mass. The mass of the Mark-7 life raft, including its container and equipment, shall not exceed 185 kilograms (408 pounds). The mass of the Mark-8 life raft, including its container and equipment, shall not exceed 340 kilograms (750 pounds).

3.9 Marking.

3.9.1 Life raft nameplate. The life raft shall have a permanently attached substantial nameplate of compatible material that is embossed or imprinted with the following:

a. Life Raft, Inflatable

b. Mark-7 Mod 2, 25 Persons or Mark-8 Mod 2, 50 Persons (as applicable)

c. NSN

d. Manufacturer Name

e. Date of Manufacture (month, year)

f. Contract No.

g. Serial No.

3.9.2 Life raft container data plate. The life raft container shall have a non-ferrous metal data plate affixed to the top half of the container, with compatible non-corrosive pop rivets. The data plate shall include the following information, with a minimum text height of 3 millimeters:

a. U.S. NAVY LIFE RAFT

b. MK-7 MOD 2, 25 PERSONS or MK-8 MOD 2, 50 PERSONS (as applicable)

c. MFR (plus name of manufacturer)

d. S/N (plus serial number)

e. CERT DATE (plus date of certification)

f. EXP DATE (plus date of certification expiration)

g. FLARE LOT NUMBER (plus lot number from GFP signal kit)

h. FAC (plus certification facility)

3.9.3 Serial numbers. A ten-character alpha-numeric serial number shall be assigned to each life raft to provide the life raft with a unique and systematic serial number regardless of contracts or purchase orders. The serial number shall be formulated as follows: three letters abbreviating the manufacturer, followed by two digit number (representing the life raft type), and followed by a 5-digit sequential number starting with 00001 (e.g. EXP2500001 or EXP5000001).

3.9.4 Marking. Marking shall be in English and shall be clearly and legibly applied in a color contrasting to its background, using materials which are permanent for the life of the life raft. Markings shall be located appropriate to the action indicated. Markings shall include:

a. Instructions for manual inflating.

b. Directions for righting if the life raft inflates in an inverted position.

c. Directions for boarding.

d. Position and use of items stowed outside of the equipment container.

e. Contents of survival equipment container(s).

f. “25 PERSONS” or “50 PERSONS”, as applicable, shall be marked over each entrance in characters not less than 100 millimeters in height.

3.9.5 Code symbols. International Morse Code for the English alphabet A through Z and for Arabic numerals 0 through 9 shall be printed on a 200- by 300-millimeter area or on a piece of canopy fabric and cemented on the inside of the raft canopy adjacent to one entrance. Each code symbol shall be identified by its appropriate letter or numeral counterpart next to the symbol.

3.10 Coated fabric. If a coated fabric different from the fabric used on the USCG-approved commercial 25- or 50-person life rafts is to be used on the proposed life raft design, the coated fabric used in the construction of inflatable buoyancy chambers shall meet the requirements of this section. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)-coated fabric or PVC alloy-coated fabric shall not be used, regardless of USCG or SOLAS certification. The base fabric shall be inherently rot-proof and shall not be unduly affected by seawater, oil, or fungal attack. Water-soluble materials shall not be used in the coating compound, which shall be applied in a manner such that the finished product consistently meets the performance requirements of this section.

3.10.1 Breaking strength. The breaking strength of the finished coated fabric shall be a minimum of 53 N/mm in warp and fill when tested in accordance with 4.6.1.

3.10.2 Tearing strength. The tearing strength of the finished coated fabric shall be a minimum of 72 newtons in warp and fill when tested in accordance with 4.6.2.

3.10.3 Coating adhesion. The coating adhesion shall be determined by using an air-cure adhesive, as recommended by the fabric manufacturer, to bond one face of the coated fabric to the other face. The minimum adhesion shall be 2.8 N/mm with the coating compound separating off the base fabric when tested in accordance with 4.6.3.

3.10.4 Weld strength of thermoplastic coated fabrics. The coated fabric shall have a minimum peel load of 7 N/mm for the initial break in accordance with 4.6.4.

3.10.5 Resistance to blocking (heat). The coated fabric shall separate in 5 seconds or less when tested in accordance with the procedures of 4.6.5.

3.10.6 Porosity test. The coated fabric shall show no signs of bubble formation indicating leakage when subjected to a maximum pressure of 70 kilopascal gauge (kPag) held for 5.0±0.1 minutes when tested in accordance with 4.6.6.

3.10.7 Coating adhesion after exposure to water. A minimum adhesion result shall be 1.75 N/mm of width when tested in accordance with 4.6.7.

3.10.8 Puncture. The coated fabric shall have a puncture resistance of 360 newtons when tested in accordance with 4.6.8.

3.10.9 Fungus. The coated fabric shall maintain a minimum of 80 percent of original breaking strength and a coating adhesion of 1.75 N/mm when subjected to fungus in accordance with 4.6.9.

3.10.10 Resistance to oil. When sample is tested in accordance with 4.6.10, a single pass of a finger across the sample shall not produce smearing.

3.11 Performance requirements.

3.11.1 Inflation. The Mark-7 and Mark-8 life rafts shall be automatically inflated upon pulling the sea painter.

Inflation shall be completed within a period of 30 seconds for the Mark-7 and 45 seconds for the Mark-8 life raft at an ambient temperature of 18 to 20 °C (64 to 68 °F), when tested in accordance with 4.7.3. In addition, inflation time shall be within 30 seconds for the Mark-7 and 60 seconds for the Mark-8 at an ambient temperature of -30 °C (86 °F), when tested in accordance with 4.7.4. After inflation, the life raft shall maintain its form when loaded with its full complement of persons and equipment.

3.11.2 Over-pressure capability. The inflatable compartment shall be capable of withstanding a pressure equal to at least three times the working pressure and shall be prevented from reaching a pressure exceeding twice the working pressure by means of relief valves when tested in accordance with 4.7.5.

3.11.3 Environmental exposure. The life raft shall be constructed so as to be capable of withstanding exposure for 30 days afloat in all sea conditions when tested in accordance with 4.7.6.

3.11.4 Operation when dropped. The life raft, in its container, shall be constructed such that, when it is dropped into the water from a height of 23 meters, it shall remain intact and float for a period of 30 minutes. The life raft, when inflated by means of the painter line, shall inflate upright and be boardable when tested in accordance with 4.7.10. The life raft and its equipment shall operate satisfactorily.

3.11.5 Withstanding of jumps. The floating life raft shall be capable of withstanding 25 jumps for the Mark-7 or 50 jumps for the Mark-8 onto it from a height of at least 4.5 meters above its floor. This shall consist of 12 jumps (Mark-7) or 25 jumps (Mark-8) without the canopy erected and 13 jumps (Mark-7) or 25 jumps (Mark-8) with the canopy erected when tested in accordance with 4.7.2. Persons jumping shall weigh not less than 82.5 kilograms.

3.11.6 Towing. The stability of the life raft, when loaded with its full complement of persons and equipment, shall be such that it can be towed at speeds of up to 3 knots in calm water for a distance of 1 kilometer when tested in accordance with 4.7.9.

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3.11.7 Service life.