How can you determine the capacity of any liferaft on board a vessel?

Determining the capacity of any liferaft on board a vessel is most reliably done by examining the plate on the outside of the raft container. This plate typically includes vital information such as the manufacturer's specifications, including the maximum number of persons the liferaft can accommodate safely. It is a standardized practice to include this information directly on the liferaft packaging, ensuring that it is accessible and clear for mariners to refer to in emergency situations.

While other options may provide some information, they are less direct. The operational manual may contain capacity information, but it is not always specific to every individual liferaft and might require further interpretation. Estimating capacity based on size can lead to inaccuracies, as size alone does not account for design and structural considerations that affect actual capacity. Consulting the ship's safety officer could offer insight, but the most straightforward and definitive method is to rely on the information provided on the raft container's plate.