VOLUME VI
INFLATABLE LIFE RAFTS
(a) NAVSEA S9086-TX-STM-010 - NSTM Chapter 583 (Boats and Small Craft)
(b) NAVSEA S9008-AA-PRO-010 - Lifeboat, Inflatable, MK6, MK7 and MK8 Inspection, Test and Repair Procedures
(c) NAVAIR 13-1-6.1 - Aviation Crew Systems, Chapter 7 (LRU 13/A)
(d) NAVSEA TW024-AA-ORD-010 - Unserviceable, Suspended, and Limited Use Ammunition
(e) NAVSUP Publication 485 - Afloat Supply Procedures
18.1 PURPOSE. To provide guidance for the maintenance, repair, certification and procurement of life rafts used onboard naval ships and craft.
18.1.1 Discussion. An inflatable life raft is one constructed of a coated fabric and inflated to its design shape by air or other gas. The raft is stowed aboard ship for use only as a life raft, when and as directed by the Commanding Officer/Officer In Charge.
18.2 FLEET LIFE RAFT PROGRAM. The Fleet Life Raft Program Manager designated by the Fleet Forces Command Maintenance Officer is responsible for establishing policy guidelines for the program. Policy will be disseminated to the Fleet and Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) certified Regional Maintenance Centers (RMC) for scheduling, planning, conducting Planned Maintenance System (PMS) recertification of fleet assets and management of life raft contingency pools. Commander Naval Surface Force Atlantic (Code N434) and Commander Naval Surface Force Pacific (code N4344) are designated Fleet Life Raft Program Managers.
18.2.1 Types of Inflatable Life Rafts. There are 5 basic Navy type inflatable life rafts for use throughout the fleet (ships and aircraft):
a. MK-6 Mod 3, 25 person, air inflated - currently carried by surface ships, encapsulated in a fiberglass container.
b. MK-7 Mod 0, 25 person, air inflated - currently carried by surface ships, encapsulated in a fiberglass container.
c. MK-8 Mod 0, 50 person, air inflated - currently carried by aircraft carriers and other air-capable ships, encapsulated in a fiberglass container.
d. LRU 13/A (former MK-2), 7 person, CO2 inflated - used on aircraft, certified to Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) requirements.
e. LRU 12/A (former MK-4), 4 person, CO2 inflated - used on submarines only.
18.2.2 Commercial Life Rafts. Various commercial Coast Guard approved life rafts are installed on board certain boats and/or Navy ships for service and in-service evaluation testing. The cognizant command is responsible for PMS recertification requirements.
18.3 RECERTIFICATION. The periodicity of recertification will be as designated by PMS requirements.
a. Recertification is based on PMS periodicity requirements starting from the recertification date stenciled on the outside of the life raft container.
b. If the certification date is not stenciled or tagged on the outside of the life raft container or verified from the ship's life raft log inspection, recertification records, or unavailable by scanning and electronic remote identification, life raft certification will be considered expired.
c. Submit an OPNAV 4790/2K to the Fleet RMC for recertification.
18.4 CONTINGENCY POOLS. Designated Regional Maintenance Activities in the Atlantic Fleet and select maintenance activities in the Pacific Fleet are responsible for coordinating the disposition of assets and maintaining contingency pools within authorized limits. Contingency pools will consist of the MK-6, MK-7, MK-8 and LRU 12/A life rafts (ships/boats/craft). The cognizant NAVAIR command will coordinate the disposition of LRU 13/A life rafts (aircraft) from a separate pool of assets. Contingency pools are authorized a limit not to exceed 100 rafts unless approved by the Fleet Life Raft Program Manager.
a. If the contingency pool should fall below the authorized limit, restock the pool from decommissioning assets (as available). Purchase a new raft from the stock system, using Repair Other Vessel funds, only as a last option to facilitate scheduling.
b. Commands are not authorized to maintain and operate a life raft contingency pool other than those designated as fleet approved contingency pools. Contact the life raft contingency pool manager for disposition and turn-in instructions for all rafts that are removed from decommissioning ships and/or aircraft.
c. Contact the designated Fleet Life Raft Program Manager for disposition instructions if the inclusion of additional rafts into the pool will exceed authorized pool limits.
d. Location of Fleet Life Raft Repair Facilities and Contingency Pools:
Naval Ship
Repair Facility
18.5 AUTOMATED TRACKING SYSTEM. A data base is maintained by
18.6 RESPONSIBILITIES.
18.6.1 Commanding Officer/Officer In Charge.
a. Submitting an OPNAV 4790/2K to the RMC for any life raft requiring replacement or recertification. For recertification, the OPNAV 4790/2K should be submitted no sooner than 6-months prior to the expiration date stenciled on the outside of the life raft container (or date verified by the ship's life raft log). Arrange with the RMC/RRC/Fleet Maintenance Activity for transfer and shipping of rafts to facilitate schedules.
b. Maintaining a log or data base of all life rafts on board, to include the following:
(1) The Inflatable Life Raft Recertification Record (ILRRR) for each raft. ILRRRs are issued with each life raft at recertification. Ships should not accept any life raft from a recertification/repair facility without the ILRRR provided. If the ship does not have the required ILRRR, contact NSWCCD Detachment Norfolk VA.
(2) Record the station location and serial number of each life raft. Annotate this information on the top of each ILRRR in the log.
c. Send a report to NSWCCD Detachment Norfolk VA, the Type Commander (TYCOM) (N43) and the respective recertification/repair facility if any life raft is lost or transferred to another ship. Reports should include the life raft serial number, manufacturer's name, recertification facility and a description of the circumstances.
d. Ensure life raft fiberglass containers are handled with care using appropriate slings. Life rafts are not to be rolled or stood on-end. Life rafts will be placed with the top up, in racks, with the container seal or canister joint in the horizontal position.
e. Upon notification of decommissioning from the TYCOM, contact the designated Life Raft Regional Maintenance Activity for disposition instructions concerning the unit's life raft inventory whenever the unit is scheduled for decommissioning and not designated for foreign military sales.
f. Requisition a replacement raft whenever a life raft is lost or determined to be unserviceable and beyond economical repair by the Life Raft Repair Facility, using the ship's Operating Target (OPTAR) funds only when contingency pool assets can not support the replacement.
18.6.2 Regional Maintenance Center/Regional Repair Center.
a. RMC/RRC Designated Regional Maintenance Activities are responsible for establishing priority of work, scheduling, coordinating PMS recertification and any repair service to support fleet life rafts unless otherwise directed by the Fleet Life Raft Program Manager.
b. RMC/RRC/Designated Regional Maintenance Activity will function as follows:
(1) Management and disposition of all life raft contingency pool assets.
(2) Upon receipt of an OPNAV 4790/2K, screen the request as follows:
(a) For replacement of lost life rafts or rafts considered to be beyond economical repair, replace with contingency pool asset. If contingency pool assets are unavailable, notify the ship to requisition replacement raft(s) using the ship's OPTAR funds.
(b) For repair and recertification, screen OPNAV 4790/2Ks to the respective Life Raft Regional Maintenance Activity for action. Issue an immediate replacement from contingency pool assets, if available, and/or recertify within the defined schedule.
(c) If the Life Raft Regional Maintenance Activity is temporarily overloaded and contingency assets cannot fulfill the requirements, screen the repair or recertification to a NAVSEA certified industrial activity.
(d) When contingency pool assets cannot
support requirements, notify the Fleet Life Raft Program Manager. In cases where requirements cannot be
supported due to the non-availability of materials, notify NSWCCD Detachment,
NOTE: ASSETS MAY BE AVAILABLE AT ANOTHER FLEET CONTINGENCY POOL.
c. Inform the Fleet Life Raft Program Manager and cognizant TYCOM (N43) of any problems encountered.
18.6.3 Regional Maintenance Activity.
a. Upon receipt of screened OPNAV 4790/2K, repair or recertify life rafts to a Level "C" Plan in accordance with references (a), (b), (c), PMS and/or Volume V of this manual, as applicable.
b. Maintain an equipped life raft facility with qualified repair personnel to conduct repairs and/or recertification of life rafts as indicated below:
NOTE: FACILITY CAPABILITIES AND PERSONNEL QUALIFICATIONS WILL BE AUDITED BY NSWCCD AND TYCOM REPRESENTATIVES ON AN ANNUAL BASIS OR AS A SITUATION DICTATES.
(1) A minimum of 75 percent of all personnel assigned to the life raft shop shall have received formal NSWCCD training and certification in Level "C" repair.
(2) Conduct and document annual training and/or the level of On-the-Job Training in Level "C" repair of all shop personnel.
(3) Appoint in writing, two life raft repair coordinators, E-6 or above, who have received formal NSWCCD training in Level "C" repair.
(4) Appoint in writing, a signal flare coordinator, E-4 or above, who is trained in handling ordnance and is responsible for the coordination and installation of signal flares in all life rafts.
(5) Maintain copies of all technical manuals, maintenance bulletins, correspondence and messages pertaining to life raft maintenance and repair.
(6) Maintain accountability of signal flare kits in accordance with reference (d).
18.7 UNSERVICEABLE/REJECTED LIFE RAFTS. Fleet Maintenance Activities shall process unserviceable/rejected life rafts as follows:
a. The Quality Assurance Officer shall verify the condition of the rejected life raft.
b. Survey the rejected life raft in accordance with reference (a). Upon completion of the survey, turn in the carcass to the Defense Re-utilization Marketing Office in accordance with reference (e).
c. Report survey results to NSWCCD, Detachment,
d. Issue a replacement life raft to the customer ship/boat/craft from the contingency pool. If none are available, the ship will requisition a new life raft using OPTAR funds.
18.8 RECORDS. Activities with the responsibilities defined in section 18.6 of this chapter shall maintain an auditable record for 5 years of all life raft transactions, including repairs, replacements, and recertification. These records must include:
a. Copies of all ILRRRs issued for recertified life rafts.
b. Job Sequence Numbers, serial numbers, and the manufacturer's name of each rejected life raft.
c. The condition of the rejected life rafts.
d. The disposition of the rejected life rafts and components salvaged.