Life raft inspection, repacking & certification on the Maine coast.
Both shops are USCG-approved facilities. Our techs are factory-trained on every brand we represent—Viking, Switlik, RFD, Crewsaver, Elliot, Givens, Revere, Plastimo, and the rest. Over the last ten years we’ve serviced and sold more than 10,000 rafts. Drop-offs welcome during business hours, no appointment.
What our service includes.
When you need your life raft, it has to work. Five generations of getting it right looks like this:
- Approved facility in Portland and Ellsworth, audited annually.
- 10,000+ rafts serviced and sold in the last decade—volume keeps our techs sharp.
- Manufacturer-trained technicians for every major brand we service.
- Both valise and container rafts, including SOLAS-A and B configurations.
- Walk-in drop-offs welcome. No appointment needed during business hours.
- Pickup & delivery on regular routes.
- Documented inspection with copies of every certificate retained on file.
- Operating in Maine since 1854—the company you can still call directly.
What we do when we open your raft
Every raft is serviced to the manufacturer’s schedule. For more detail, see what happens during a service. Here’s the short version:
- Open the raft. We open the canister or valise and take the raft out.
- Inspect it. We check the tubes, floor, canopy, seams, and fittings for wear or damage.
- Inflate and test. We inflate the raft and make sure it holds pressure. When it’s due, we also do a gas inflation using the raft’s own cylinder.
- Replace supplies. Expired or worn items in the survival pack get replaced, and the cylinder and hydrostatic release are swapped out when they’re due.
- Repack and seal. We fold the raft back to the manufacturer’s pattern and seal it in its canister or valise.
- Certify. You get a service certificate and a new service tag on the raft.
How often your raft needs service
| Raft or part | Service interval |
|---|---|
| Commercial rafts | Every 12 months |
| Hydrostatic release unit (HRU) | Replace every 2 years |
| Yacht & recreational rafts | Follows the manufacturer’s schedule — ask us what yours needs |
Want a deeper read on intervals? See our guide to life raft service intervals.
Drop it off, or tell us what’s coming due.
No appointment needed for drop-offs—84 Cove St., Portland (Mon–Fri 8am–5pm) or 218 Bucksport Rd., Ellsworth (Mon–Fri 8am–4pm).
Walk-in drop-offs & pickup routes
Most customers just drop off. Portland is open Mon–Fri 8am–5pm and Ellsworth Mon–Fri 8am–4pm—no appointment needed. For boats that can’t get to us, we run scheduled pickup and delivery routes out of Portland and Ellsworth.
- Bar Harbor & MDI
- Rockland & Penobscot Bay
- Boothbay Harbor
- Searsport & Belfast
- Eastport & Down East
Manufacturer-certified service
We work with all the major life raft brands, including the ones below. Don’t see yours? Ask us.
Viking authorized servicer
We service Viking life rafts for SOLAS commercial, fishing, and recreational use across all current Viking model series.
Switlik service center
Authorized Switlik servicer for SAR-6, MD-2, and Coastal Passage models. We follow the current Switlik service bulletin schedule and stock the most common Switlik service kits and replacement parts on-site.
Other raft brands
Have a different brand? Bring it to us anyway. We’ll take care of getting it serviced and back to you.
Frequently asked questions
How long will my life raft be in your shop?
It’s quicker in the off-season and longer during our busy season (February through June). When you drop off your raft, ask a team member what current wait times look like. We rent loaner rafts for commercial customers who can’t be down during service.
Do I need an appointment to drop off my raft?
No. Most customers just walk in. Bring your raft to either Cove Street (Portland) or Bucksport Road (Ellsworth)—Portland is open Mon–Fri 8am–5pm, Ellsworth Mon–Fri 8am–4pm. If you’d rather we pick it up at the dock, see our locations page for routes.
How much will it cost?
Service pricing depends on your raft’s type, size, age, and any parts that need to be replaced. If you’d like an estimate, just ask. You can request one anytime.
What if my raft is past due?
Bring it in. Past-due rafts almost always still pass when we open them, but they need to be re-certified before they’re legal again. The longer you wait, the more likely the survival pack contents will need replacing on age alone.
Related services & reading
Survival Suit Inspection
Inspection and service for Kent, Stearns, Mustang, Imperial, and Viking suits.
Suit service →EPIRB Battery & HRU Service
Battery replacement, registration, hydrostatic release re-arming.
EPIRB service →Service Interval Guide
Service intervals for every raft type, explained.
Read the guide →