SOLAS Rescue Boat 

Certified Safety for Commercial and Superyachts

A SOLAS rescue boat is a specially approved safety craft designed for rapid deployment in emergencies, including man-overboard recovery and liferaft marshalling. Built to meet the strictest international maritime standards, it is rigorously tested and approved by a recognized Classification Society or Notified Body, combining proven performance, durability, and reliability to keep commercial vessels and superyachts fully compliant and safe at sea. This is the hallmark of a SOLAS rescue boat.

Key features of a SOLAS Rescue Boat

A SOLAS rescue boat is easily recognizable by its highly visible color, usually orange or yellow, and ranges from 3.9m to 8.5m in length. Every SOLAS boat is equipped with a strict list of safety features, including:

• Capsize recovery: Can be righted manually by two crew members or automatically.
• Covered bow area: Provides protection when the sheer is insufficient.
• Autonomy: Minimum of 4 hours at 6 knots, fully loaded with six crew and towing a 25-person liferaft.
• Approved propulsion: Powered by a SOLAS-approved engine, such as gasoline outboards or inboard diesels.
• Rapid deployment: Capable of being fully crewed with six persons and launched within 5 minutes, even while the ship maintains 5 knots.

These features ensure the boat can perform its dual purpose: marshalling all liferafts in the event of a sinking and acting as a man overboard recovery boat (MOB).

Where and when a SOLAS Rescue Boat is required

SOLAS rescue boats are mandatory on all commercial seagoing vessels over 500 GT and are essential whenever a reliable, certified lifesaving craft is needed. They are specifically designed for critical operations such as evacuating passengers and crew during a ship emergency, coordinating and towing liferafts, and conducting rapid man-overboard recovery. Their presence ensures that every vessel is prepared to respond quickly and effectively in high-risk situations, giving crew and passengers the highest level of protection.

Unlike non-certified boats, SOLAS rescue boats undergo rigorous testing under real-world emergency conditions and must comply with stringent international regulations. Every aspect—from hull design and structural integrity to engine performance and onboard safety equipment—is independently verified. This guarantees that a SOLAS rescue boat will perform reliably when it is needed most, providing peace of mind to shipowners, operators, and crew alike.

Difference between SOLAS-Certified and Non-Certified Boats

While standard rescue or tender boats may offer basic safety functionality, they do not meet the strict requirements of SOLAS certification. Key differences include:

• Certified safety features: Capsize recovery, minimum autonomy, approved engines
• Mandatory testing and approval: Design reviewed and tested by a Classification Society or Notified Body
• Operational guarantees: Launch times, crew capacity, and liferaft towing capabilities are verified
• Material standards: Constructed from approved, rigorously tested materials
  
  

In short, a SOLAS rescue boat provides reliable performance under extreme conditions, giving ship owners, crew, and passengers confidence that they are prepared for every maritime emergency.