Who needs a life raft?
There is little need for a life raft where rescue would be quickly forthcoming due to boating traffic and/or rescue agencies in your boating vicinity. Warm water extends survival time and reduces the need to get out of the water quickly to protect against hypothermia. Inland, warm waters: You probably don’t need a raft, but you might consider having an inflatable or rigid dinghy available for rapid deployment. Inland, cold waters: Strongly consider carrying a coastal life raft or large inflatable dinghy to keep you and your crew out of the water when operating in cold water. Hypothermia can kill anyone immersed in 50° water in just two hours, and quickly render you unable to function. Coastal cruising/racing: One of the myths about boating is that coastal waters are somehow less threatening and require less rigorous safety gear than the open ocean. While it is true that your proximity to the coast may allow you to get to shelter before a storm or to get assistance more quickly than if
