At approximately what depth does a hydrostatic release separate the life raft from its cradle?

• A. 4 meters
• B. 2 meters
• C. 6 meters
• D. 8 meters

Answer: (A)

Hydrostatic release units are designed to automatically separate a liferaft from its cradle when the vessel sinks to a fixed depth below the surface. The triggering depth is about four meters. When water depth reaches roughly four meters, the pressure activates the release mechanism, allowing the cradle to detach and the raft to begin its rise to the surface, inflating as it goes. This depth is chosen so the raft stays secured during the initial sinking or rough seas but releases in time to deploy once the raft is beneath the surface, reducing the chance of entanglement or damage. If release happened too shallow, it could occur prematurely in rough conditions; too deep, the raft might not deploy reliably before conditions worsen.