The ISO 9650 standard

The ISO 9650 standard is intended to improve and harmonise design standards for liferafts. It distinguishes 2 categories of rafts: “Type 1” and “Type 2”.

Type 1rafts are designed for sailing on the open sea, and are thus adapted to the risks incurred on long voyages (high winds and heavy seas). They are available in 2 groups according to the ambient air temperature:

• Group A : rafts designed to inflate correctly at an ambient air temperature of between -15 and 65°C;
• Group B : rafts designed to inflate correctly at an ambient air temperature of between 0 and 65°C.

Irrespective of their group, they offer two equipment levels that differ according to the time estimated by the yachtsman before help arrives: less than or more than 24 hours..

Type 2 rafts are suitable for coastal sailing, in moderate sea conditions. They are designed to inflate correctly at an ambient temperature of between 0° and 65°C. The ISO 9650 standard does not impose any limit between coastal and open sea sailing (evaluating this limit is left up to the good judgment of the yachtsman).