NEW ISO 9650 STANDARD : PLASTIMO TELLS YOU ALL ABOUT IT
ISO 9650 is the new international standard implemented in March 2005, to set up formal specifications on liferafts for use on board recreational boats. This standard clearly states the performance level and technical specifications of the liferaft and materials used in its construction. It applies to all recreational boats under 24 metres (78 ft). However, this standard is not compulsory yet in all countries.

ISO 9650 standard defines 2 types of rafts according to the navigation type :

Offshore navigation : type I liferafts (ISO 9650-1)
Liferafts designed for long voyages or cruises when gusts of wind can be expected, together with exceptional wave height (excluding abnormal conditions such as hurricanes). ISO 9650-1 liferafts are classified in 2 groups (A and B) to reflect the temperature conditions in the sailing area : · Group A : liferafts designed to inflate in an environment temperature of -15°C to +65°C ; they feature an insulating double floor. · Group B : liferafts designed to inflate in an environment temperature of 0°C to +65°C ; they feature a single floor. Liferafts are equipped with 2 types of survival kits, depending on how long the victim is likely to spend in his raft waiting to be rescued : · Emergency kit : rescue forces expected after 24 hours. · Standard kit : rescue forces expected within 24 hours.

Coastal navigation : type II liferafts (ISO 9650-2)
Liferafts designed for sailing in areas where moderate conditions are expected, such as coastal waters, bays, estuaries, rivers and lakes. ISO 9650-2 liferafts are designed to inflate in an environment temperature of 0°C to +65°C and feature a single floor. They come with a standard survival kit.

This new standard defines the performance level in terms of inflation, launching, resistance, buoyancy, interior space and emphasizes particularly : · Boarding Any person wearing heavy clothing and an inflated marine lifejacket must be able to board the liferaft alone. To meet this requirement, Plastimo has developed a reversible ladder and an inside grab handle to ease embarking. This system allows the victim to hoist himself up on the ladder and then topple easily into the liferaft. Should the liferaft inflate upside down, the boarding ladder simply reverts, to allow the victim to pull himself on the capsized liferaft and thus making it easier to turn over the raft in its natural position.

Type Use Capacity (min/max) Max. launching height

ISO 9650-1
OFFSHORE, BLUE WATER 4 to 12 persons 6 metres

ISO 9650-2
COASTAL AREA 4 to 10 persons 4 metres 0°C to +65°C

· Group A : -15°C to +65°C Inflation temperature · Group B : 0°C to +65°C

Bottom Free-board Inside area / person Buoyancy / person Canopy Outside light Retro-reflective tapes Survival kit

· Gr. A : Insulating double floor · Gr. B : Single floor 250 mm (4 pers) 300 mm (> 4 pers) 0.372 m² 96 litres

Single floor 200 mm (4 pers) 250 mm (> 4 pers) 0.250 m² 82 litres

· Stability Large number and volume of ballast pockets (220 litres minimum) provide improved stability. · Visibility 4.3 cand. outside light on ISO 9650-1 and 0.75 cand. on ISO 9650-2 ; 1500 cm² of retro-reflective tapes. In addition, Plastimo liferafts are equipped with a fluorescent orange canopy to improve visibility.

Deploys automatically Deploys manually 4.3 cd 1500 cm² Emergency > 24 h Standard < 24 h 0.75 cd 1500 cm² Standard

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