Here's some fodder for comment:

SeaKettle Life Raft

Interesting concept, but I see some drawbacks.

- requiring the sun to make it work.
- a RO desalinator would cost less than the additional costs for the special construction needed to make the life raft.
- the designer's understanding on inflatable chambers in coated fabric is in error as you wouldn't see those flat surfaces unless drop-stitch fabric is used, which would really jack of the cost.

Cheers,

Tom A.

Stupid, IMHO. Just ensure that there is a functional PLB and get rescued before dehydration becomes that big an issue. Heck, for the added cost, add two (or 3 or 4) PLBs for back-up.

Lost of these ideas cross my desk, usually by someone who has minimal experience in the subject matter and has no understanding of the advances in technology since the bad old days. They latch onto one or a few survival experiences from poorly prepared individuals or from years ago, and cannot see that everything changes with minimal preparation and/or modern technology.

Yes, I'm in a grumpy mood today...

Setteled in to read the article and got sidetracked by the "Butt Bra". Never finished the article.

Glad somebody else owned up to it.

Interesting concept, but it looks to me to be too complicated to be practical. It would surely add both cost and weight to the weight and cost of a standard raft.

Small desalination pumps are available for about $700 and they are light. And pre-packaged water in foil pouches are cheaper still and not all that heavy. You could also give solar stills a shot.

It isn't a terrible idea, and I don't wish to discourage designers, I think they need to keep at it, but start over.