A Breakdown of Why Emergency Rations Matter

Emergencies at sea are unpredictable. Fires, collisions, or grounding can leave people stranded in lifeboats or liferafts. In such scenarios, survival depends on immediate access to food and water rations. Without them, fatigue and dehydration rapidly set in, weakening morale and reducing chances of survival.

Emergency rations are not ordinary supplies—they are carefully engineered survival packs built to sustain life until rescue arrives.

SOLAS Requirements for Emergency Rations

Caloric Value and Shelf Life

Under SOLAS, every person onboard must have access to at least 10,000 kJ (about 2,400 kcal) per day in emergency rations. These rations must have a shelf life of at least 5 years, ensuring they remain dependable even on long voyages.

Packaging and Storage Standards

Emergency rations must be packaged to resist seawater, oil, and extreme temperatures. Compact and tamper-proof, the packaging ensures rations remain uncontaminated and easy to distribute in emergencies.

Water Rations and Hydration Essentials

Survival is impossible without water. SOLAS mandates 1.5 liters of fresh water per person per day, packaged in sealed, durable pouches. Where water storage is limited, vessels may carry approved desalination kits to convert seawater into drinkable supplies.

Types of Emergency Rations Found on Ships

Lifeboat and Liferaft Rations

Every lifeboat and liferaft carries pre-stocked rations as part of its emergency pack. These include high-energy biscuits and fresh water pouches, stored in waterproof containers.

High-Energy Food Packs

Lightweight, compact, and nutrient-dense, high-energy food packs provide carbohydrates, fats, and proteins in a stable form. They’re designed for easy digestion under stress conditions.

Desalination and Water-Purifying Solutions

Some vessels are equipped with hand-operated desalination pumps or chemical purification kits. These extend survivability by transforming seawater into fresh, drinkable supplies.

The Role of ArcShip in Supporting SOLAS-Approved Rations

Marine Safety Products, a unit of ArcShip, ensures that fleets never compromise on survival essentials. As a trusted maritime service provider, Marine Safety Products offers:

• In-house manufactured emergency food and water rations, SOLAS, IRS, and LR approved, with a 5-year validity
  
  
• Integration of rations into lifeboat and liferaft survival packs for full readiness
  
  
• Certification support to maintain compliance during flag and class inspections
  
  
• End-to-end service coverage across India, UAE, Oman, Hong Kong, Thailand, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, and Singapore
  
  

Marine Safety Products’ commitment ensures that no person onboard faces an emergency without the sustenance required to survive.

Lessons for the Maritime Industry

The importance of SOLAS-approved rations is clear: they are survival itself. Ship operators must prioritize:

• Routine checks of ration stockpiles
  
  
• Strict compliance with SOLAS caloric and hydration standards
  
  
• Partnering with reliable service providers like ArcShip to maintain compliance
  
  

Neglecting emergency rations isn’t just a regulatory lapse—it’s a direct threat to life.

Conclusion: Preparedness That Saves Lives

In survival scenarios, every calorie and every drop of water matters. SOLAS-approved emergency rations are not just regulatory requirements—they are the difference between despair and endurance at sea.

With Marine Safety Products, a unit of ArcShip, providing in-house manufactured, SOLAS, IRS, and LR-approved rations with 5-year validity, along with inspection and compliance support, operators can rest assured that people onboard are never left vulnerable.

Preparedness is the anchor of survival, and with the right rations in place, life can be sustained until rescue arrives.
ArcShip makes survival a certainty, not a question.