MK-7 MK-8 Life Raft FAT Evaluation Matrix - 10.01.20.docx
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- Attached to
- 5 YEAR INDEFINITE DELIVERY/INDEFINITE QUANTITY (IDIQ) CONTRACT FOR 25 MAN AND 50 MAN LIFE RAFTS
- Solicitation number
- SPRMM120RWC07
About this file
This document contains a pre-solicitation notice for a five-year indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract for 25-person and 50-person life rafts. The Defense Logistics Agency Land and Maritime plans to solicit multiple IDIQ contracts for procurement of 25-person rafts identified by National Stock Number 3HD 4220-01-444-6260 and 50-person rafts identified by National Stock Number 3HD 4220-01-475-3185, manufactured in accordance with specification NSWCCD-83-TM-2020/19 October 2020. The request for proposal will be released and posted to beta.SAM on or about April 2, 2021. Interested contractors must already have a Coast Guard approved life raft in order to be considered as a source for this requirement and must comply with the specifications and testing requirements outlined in NSWCCD-83-TM-2020/19 and the attached FAT matrix.
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First Article Test (FAT) Evaluation Matrix
Manufacturer: Location: Date:
| Life Raft Type |
| Mark-7 (25-Person) □ |
| Mark-8 (50-Person) □ |
| FAT Witnesses |
| Printed Name |
| Signature |
| Printed Name |
| Signature |
| Printed Name |
| Signature |
| Characteristic |
| Requirement Paragraph |
| Test Paragraph |
| Requirement |
| Verification Method |
| Pass |
| Fail |
| Comments |
| Shape |
| 3.4.1 |
| 4.4 |
| The inflated life raft shall be circular, hexagonal, octagonal, elliptical, or similar outline in plan view. |
| Visual Inspection |
| Stability |
| 3.4.3 |
| 4.4 |
| 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: |
| Visual Inspection & Certificate of Compliance |
| Stability |
| 3.4.3.a |
| 4.4 |
| 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. |
| Visual Inspection & Certificate of Compliance |
| Stability |
| 3.4.3.b |
| 4.4 |
| 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. |
| Visual Inspection & Certificate of Compliance |
| Stability |
| 3.4.3.c |
| 4.4 |
| Openings in or between the stability appendages shall be provided to limit the formation of air pockets under the life raft. |
| Visual Inspection & Certificate of Compliance |
| Stability |
| 3.4.3.d |
| 4.4 |
| 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 suitably protected against corrosion. |
| Visual Inspection & Certificate of Compliance |
| Buoyancy Chambers |
| 3.4.4.1 |
| 4.4 |
| 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. |
| Visual Inspection |
| Storage Pockets |
| 3.4.4.2 |
| 4.4 |
| Pockets or equivalent stowage bags shall be fitted for stowage of hand pumps, repair kits, instruction manuals, and other equipment needed immediately on launching. |
| Visual Inspection |
| Reinforcing Patches |
| 3.4.4.3 |
| 4.4 |
| Reinforcing patches shall be substantially fitted in way of the attachments for the righting line, painter, sea anchor line, etc. |
| Visual Inspection |
| Inflation Cylinder Holders |
| 3.4.4.4 |
| 4.4 |
| 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. |
| Visual Inspection |
| Exposed Surfaces |
| 3.4.4.5 |
| 4.4 |
| All exposed surfaces shall be reasonably smooth and free from sharp protrusions or projections that might be injurious in boarding or occupancy. |
| Visual Inspection |
| Floor |
| 3.4.5 |
| 4.4 |
| 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. |
| Visual Inspection |
| Canopy |
| 3.4.6 |
| 4.4 |
| The life raft design shall incorporate an inner and outer canopy to insulate the occupants from the weather and 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. The interior of the canopy shall be of a color that does not cause discomfort to the occupants. |
| Visual Inspection |
| Entrances |
| 3.4.7 |
| 4.4 |
| 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 in order to allow for ventilation, but to also exclude seawater, wind, and cold. |
| Visual Inspection |
| Laps and Seams |
| 3.4.8 |
| 4.6.3 and 4.6.4 |
| 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. |
| Visual Inspection and Test Documentation |
| Retro-Reflective Material |
| 3.4.10 |
| 4.4 |
| 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, crossshaped 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. |
| Visual Inspection |
| Color |
| 3.4.11 |
| 4.4 |
| The primary color of the exterior of the canopy shall be vivid reddish orange (color number 34 of NIST NBS Spec. Pub.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 shall not be yellow. |
| Visual Inspection |
| Container |
| 3.4.12 |
| 4.4 |
| The life raft containers shall be constructed in accordance with NAVSEA Drawing 5835111055 for the Mark-7 life raft and NAVSEA Drawing 583-5106577 for the Mark-8 life raft. However, for the Mark-8 life raft container, the contractor is allowed to determine fiberglass lay-up that uses best manufacturing practices that meet the performance requirement of 3.11.4, as is permitted with the Mark-7 life raft container. 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. |
| Visual Inspection |
| Inflation |
| 3.4.13 |
| 4.4 |
| 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. |
| Demonstration |
| Boarding Ramps |
| 3.5.1 |
| 4.4 |
| 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 of 100 kilograms mass 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. |
| Visual Inspection |
| Boarding Ladder |
| 3.5.2 |
| 4.4 |
| 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 100 kilograms, at a minimum. There shall be means inside the life raft to assist persons in pulling themselves into the life raft from the ladder. |
| Visual Inspection |
| Exterior Canopy Lamp |
| 3.5.3 |
| 4.7.3 |
| 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. |
| Demonstration & Documentation |
| Interior Canopy Lamp |
| 3.5.4 |
| 4.7.3 |
| 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. |
| Demonstration & Documentation |
| Lifelines |
| 3.5.5 |
| 4.4 |
| 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. |
| Visual Inspection & Test Documentation |
| Sea Painter System |
| 3.5.6 |
| 4.4 |
| 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. |
| Visual Inspection |
| Righting Gear |
| 3.5.7 |
| 4.4 |
| Provide handholds or webbing straps on the underside of the floor 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. |
| Visual Inspection |
| Towing/Mooring Connections |
| 3.5.8 |
| 4.4 |
| 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. |
| Visual Inspection & Test Documentation |
| Inflation System |
| 3.6 |
| 4.4 |
| 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 degrees Celsius. The inflation valve shall be serviceable by life raft shop personnel with appropriate rebuild kit available. |
| Visual Inspection & Test Documentation |
| Inflation Cylinders |
| 3.6.1.a |
| 4.4 |
| 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. |
| Test Documentation |
| Inflation Cylinders |
| 3.6.1.b |
| 4.7.3 |
| 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). |
| Demonstration |
| Inflation Valve |
| 3.6.2 |
| 4.4 |
| 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. |
| Test documentation |
| Pressure Relief Valve Poppet Retainer |
| 3.6.3 |
| 4.7.5 |
| 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. |
| Demonstration |
| Valves |
| 3.6.4 |
| 4.4 |
| 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 practical, 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. |
| Visual Inspection & test documentation |
| Buoyant Rescue Quoit and Heaving Line |
| 3.7.1 |
| 4.4 |
| 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. |
| Visual Inspection |
| Knife |
| 3.7.2 |
| 4.4 |
| 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. |
| Visual Inspection |
| Bailers |
| 3.7.3 |
| 4.4 |
| 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. |
| Visual Inspection |
| Cellulose Spongers |
| 3.7.4 |
| 4.4 |
| Two cellulose sponges, each having a volume of at least 750 cm3 when saturated with water, shall be provided. |
| Visual Inspection |
| Sea Anchor |
| 3.7.5 |
| 4.4 |
| 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 which 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. |
| Visual Inspection |
| Buoyant Paddles |
| 3.7.6 |
| 4.4 |
| Two buoyant paddles of 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). |
| Visual Inspection |
| Pump or Bellows |
| 3.7.7 |
| 4.4 |
| 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. |
| Visual Inspection |
| FAK |
| 3.7.8 |
| 4.4 |
| 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. |
| Visual Inspection |
| Abandon Ship Signal Kit |
| 3.7.9 |
| 4.4 |
| An abandon ship signal kit (National Stock Number [NSN] 1370-01-366-0344 or 1370-01-418-2657) 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 kit shall contain six Mark-124 day/night signals and two Mark-79 aerial signal kits. The abandon ship signal kit shall be provided as GFP. |
| Visual Inspection |
| Electric Flashlight |
| 3.7.10 |
| 4.4 |
| 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 1.5volt DC 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. |
| Visual Inspection & Test Documentation |
| Mirror, Signaling |
| 3.7.11 |
| 4.4 |
| One daylight signaling mirror with instructions on its use for signaling to ships and aircraft shall be provided. |
| Visual Inspection |
| Whistle |
| 3.7.12 |
| 4.4 |
| One ball type whistle or multi-tone whistle, made of corrosion-resistant materials, shall be provided. |
| Visual Inspection |
| Life-Saving Signal Table |
| 3.7.13 |
| 4.4 |
| One copy of the lifesaving signals referred to in SOLAS V/16 shall be provided on a waterproof card or in a waterproof container. |
| Visual Inspection |
| Fishing Tackle |
| 3.7.14 |
| 4.4 |
| One emergency fishing tackle kit shall be provided in accordance with 46 CFR 160.061. |
| Visual Inspection |
| Food Rations |
| 3.7.15 |
| 4.4 |
| 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 five years and a minimum remaining shelf-life of 48 months when packed in the life raft container. The 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 an USCG-approval number. |
| Visual Inspection & USCG Certification |
| Drinking Water |
| 3.7.16 |
| 4.4 |
| 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 five years and shall be packed in the life raft container with no less than 48 months remaining of the shelf-life. |
| Visual Inspection & USCG Certification |
| Manual Reverse Osmosis Desalinator (MROD) |
| 3.7.17 |
| 4.4 |
| One manual reverse osmosis desalinator (MROD) shall be packed with the survival equipment. The MROD (NSN 4610-01-319-5337) shall be provided as GFP. |
| Visual Inspection |
| Anti-Seasickness Medicine |
| 3.7.18 |
| 4.4 |
| 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 either of the following: |
a. Dimenhydrianate 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 six-hour intervals; or
c. A transdermal patch containing scopolamine formulated for at least two days’ use, with each patch counted as six doses.
Visual Inspection
| Survival Instructions |
| 3.7.19 |
| 4.4 |
| 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 1.2 and 6.3), and shall and shall be suspended in a clear film envelope from one of the canopy arch tubes. |
| Visual Inspection |
| Immediate Action Instructions |
| 3.7.20 |
| 4.4 |
| 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.
Visual Inspection
| Thermal Protective Aid |
| 3.7.21 |
| 4.4 |
| 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.
Visual Inspection & Test documentation
| Repair Outfit |
| 3.7.22 |
| 4.4 |
| 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 or MIL-R-52255. |
| Visual Inspection |
| Spare Battery Pack |
| 3.7.23 |
| 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. |
| Visual Inspection |
| Towing/Mooring Connection Hooks |
| 3.7.24 |
| 4.4 |
| Two hooks shall be provided for life raft occupants to easily attach to the towing/mooring connections, as per 3.5.8, and to facilitate connecting the life raft to other life rafts when afloat. The hooks shall the “15/32 STD Carbine W/O Eye”, Part #2337, from Wichard America, or equal. |
| Visual Inspection |
| Survival Equipment Bag(s) |
| 3.7.25 |
| 4.4 |
| 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)
| p. | Towing/mooring connection hooks (see 3.7.24) |
| Visual Inspection |
| Size and Mass |
| 3.8 |
| 4.4 |
| 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). |
| Test documentation |
| Life Raft Nameplate |
| 3.9.1 |
| 4.4 |
| The life raft shall have a permanently attached substantial nameplate of compatible material on which 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 and CAGE Code
e. Date of Manufacture (month, year)
f. Contract No.
g. Serial No.
Visual Inspection
| Life Raft Container Data Plate |
| 3.9.2 |
| 4.4 |
| 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. US 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) Visual Inspection
| Serial Numbers |
| 3.9.3 |
| 4.4 |
| 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). |
| Visual Inspection |
| Marking |
| 3.9.4 |
| 4.4 |
| Marking shall be in English and 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.
Visual Inspection
| Code Symbols |
| 3.9.5 |
| 4.4 |
| 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. |
| Visual Inspection |
| Coated Fabric (if applicable) |
| 3.10.1 – 3.10.10 |
| 4.5 and 4.6 |
(if applicable)
| 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 be prohibited, 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. |
| Test Documentation |
| Inflation |
| 3.11.1 |
| 4.7.3 |
| 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. |
| Demonstration & Test Documentation |
| Over-Pressure Capability |
| 3.11.2 |
| 4.7.5 |
| 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. |
| Test Documentation |
| Environmental Exposure |
| 3.11.3 |
| 4.7.2 |
| 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. |
| Test Documentation |
| Operation When Dropped |
| 3.11.4 |
| 4.7.11 |
| 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. |
| Test Documentation |
| Withstanding of Jumps |
| 3.11.5 |
| 4.7.2 |
| 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 no less than 82.5 kilograms. |
Test Documentation
| Towing |
| 3.11.6 |
| 4.7.10 |
| 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. |
| Test Documentation |
| Typical Life Raft Defects |
| Table III |
| 4.4 |
Visual Inspection
| Air Retention |
| 3.11.8 |
| 4.7.1 |
| Air pressure drop shall not exceed 10 percent after compensation for temperature and barometric pressure change when tested in accordance with 4.7.1. |
| Test Documentation |
| Loading and Seating |
| 3.11.9 |
| 4.7.7 |
| The loading and seating shall be determined using the procedure in 4.7.7 to verify the Mark-7 life raft can accommodate 25 people and the Mark-8 life raft can accommodate 50 people. |
| Test Documentation |
| Canopy Closure |
| 3.11.10 |
| 4.7.8 |
| There shall be no more than 20 liters of accumulated water when tested in accordance with 4.7.8. |
| Test Documentation |
| Service Manual |
| 3.12.2 |
| 4.4 |
| A service manual covering the opening, inspection, testing, repair, and repacking of the approved life raft with parts list of all replaceable/repairable components shall be provided, as specified. |
| Visual Inspection |
TABLE III. Types of typical life raft defects.
| TYPICAL LIFE RAFT DEFECTS |
| Pass |
| Fail |
1. Hoses damaged. End connections not torqued as specified in Service Manual. End connections cross-threaded.
2. Evidence of sewing in the seams of, or through the fabric of air chambers as specified in 3.4.8.
3. Valve pull-cables damaged or not connected as specified in Service Manual.
4. Evidence of treating or swashing inflatable member with latex or other sealing agent as specified in 3.4.14.
5. Topping-off valves not installed correctly as specified in 3.6.4.
6. Inflation cylinders not fully charged to the weight and pressure specified in Service Manual.
7. Banding straps not installed as specified in 3.4.12
8. Painter rope missing, not attached, not as specified in Service Manual.
9. Pull force on painter line to activate the inflation system exceeds 250 Newtons as specified in 3.6.1.b.
10. Hand pump or bellows and adapters not operable as specified in 3.7.7.
11. Boarding ladder damaged, not as specified in 3.5.2.
12. Canopy damaged, not as specified in 3.4.6.
13. Sea anchors missing, not installed or stowed as specified in 3.7.5.
14. Cylinder holders not installed as specified in 3.4.4.4.
15. Weight of the completed, packed life raft, ready for stowage exceeds maximum weight specified in 3.8.
16. Materials used other than those specified. Survival gear missing or not as specified in 3.7.
17. Equipment incomplete, components not as specified, not stowed as specified in 3.7.
18. Length and width of the finished life raft not within the tolerances specified in Service Manual.
19. Hull, gunwale, cross tube, diameters not within the tolerances specified in Service Manual.
20. Repairs or rework (see 3.4.14.1)
21. Paddles damaged or missing, not as specified in 3.7.6.
22. Lights not installed as specified in 3.5.3 and 3.5.4, batteries missing.
23. Canopy closure fasteners not installed, not as specified in 3.4.6.
24. Righting gear missing, not installed as specified, not as specified in 3.5.7.
25. Floatable knives missing, not as specified in 3.7.2.
26. Inner canopy vent holes not as specified in 3.4.6.
27. Identification marking not legible, not as specified in 3.9.1.
28. Instruction cards missing, not as specified in 3.7.19.
29. Caution tag or instruction lettering missing, not as specified in 3.7.20.
30. Rope or line ends not fused or whipped as specified in 3.4.14.
31. Rain catcher as specified in 3.4.6 is missing.
32. Inflatable/Insulated floor not as specified in 3.4.5.
33. Sealing clamps missing or not as specified in 3.7.22.
34. Rescue heaving quoit and line not as specified, not installed as specified in 3.7.1.
35. Lifeline not as specified, not installed as specified in 3.5.5.
File details come from the government source that posted it. Updated .