SOLAS Liferafts are normally located on muster station, on port &starboard side near to the lifeboat, and fwd and aft of the vessel.
Inflatable Life raft is stored in a GRP container, incorporated with a high-pressure gas used for inflating life raft at the time of emergency.
A Hydrostatic Release Unit (HRU) is connected to liferaft container and ship, which release the life raft even after the ship sinks in water.
The particulars of the SOLAS Life raft are stencilled on the container which includes the capacity, manufacturing date, servicing date, company name etc. along with the launching procedure with a photogenic display for easy understanding.
The basic survival items are already stored in the raft which includes food rations, drinks,smoke signals, knife etc.
Some ships carry a davit launching system which allows the crew to inflate and board the liferaft on the deck, avoiding the risk of going into the seawater. It's more friendly for the old people and children.