LIFERAFTS

Most liferafts now require three-year servicing. Liferafts can degrade over time and while leisure users are not compelled by law to keep liferafts in date, you will put yourself at risk by not doing so.

■ A service is a good time to ask if you can see the liferaft when it is inflated. If the service station says you can’t, ask for the liferaft back and take it somewhere else that will let you see it. You can also ask for other essentials to be packed inside the liferaft, such as a spare pair of glasses, which are easily lost in an emergency.

■ Check other inflatables too – jonbuoys, danbuoys, even an inflatable emergency VHF antenna will all need to have in-date firing mechanisms and cylinders, and to be able to maintain pressure over an hour.