A variable volume raft containing adjustable ratio and amounts of air and
or water. The buoyancy and ballast of the raft are routinely adjusted to
accommodate additional occupants and changing weather conditions. A
manual pump can be the primary or back up source for initial inflation.
The torque pump twisted by hand or amplified by a lever arm generates air
pressure for maintenance and repairing deflating lacerations at sea. The
pumps collector gathers and pressurizes rain water for drinking in one
chamber while pressurizing sea water as a stabilizing ballast in another
chamber. A double hull or full floor chamber allows huge variations in
buoyancy or ballast as dictated by changing needs for stability versus
mobility. A compressed liquid or two-part foam confers puncture
resistance to a portion of the raft. A thrown self-righting manual air
horn, worn water-activated air horns and water activated transmitted
signals, mark the site for rescuers.