SOLAS/ISO Compliant Inflatable Radar Reflector NZ — Liferaft & Marine Vessel | IMO Certified

In a search and rescue operation, radar visibility can save your life. Rescue vessels, helicopters, and coast guard craft all rely on radar to locate survivors at sea — and without a radar reflector, a liferaft or small vessel can be effectively invisible on a radar screen. This SOLAS-compliant inflatable radar reflector dramatically increases your radar cross-section, making you detectable from a significantly greater distance in any weather condition, day or night.

Designed specifically for mounting on liferafts and small marine vessels. Lightweight, compact when deflated, and certified to the latest IMO and ISO standards. Available ex-stock Auckland.

How it works:
The outer polymer balloon inflates to 460mm diameter, housing an internal metallic mesh assembly that reflects radar radiation back to the source. When radar waves from a passing vessel or rescue aircraft hit the reflector, the metallic mesh returns a strong, clear signal — making your position visible on their radar screen even when you cannot be seen visually.

Specifications:

• Inflated diameter: 460mm
• Weight: 200g — lightweight for liferaft and small vessel mounting
• Reflective Properties: 280 degrees
• Radar Cross Section (RCS): ≥7.5m² on X-band — SOLAS minimum requirement
• Construction: High-density polymer outer balloon with internal radar-reflective metallic mesh
• Storage life: 5 years
• Deflated size: Compact — fits inside liferaft equipment packs and grab bags

Certification & Standards:

• ISO 8729-1:2010 — international marine radar reflector standard
• SOLAS 1974 compliant

Primary applications:

• Liferaft mounting — required on all SOLAS liferafts for emergency rescue location
• Small vessels and yachts — enhances radar visibility for collision avoidance
• Grab bags and emergency kits — lightweight enough to carry as backup equipment
• RIBs, tenders, and inflatable dinghies operating offshore

Why inflatable over fixed radar reflectors?
Fixed octahedral radar reflectors are bulky and difficult to store on a liferaft or small vessel. This inflatable design stores flat and compact — no larger than a deflated balloon — and inflates rapidly when needed. At 200g and 460mm inflated diameter it delivers SOLAS-compliant radar cross-section without the storage and weight penalty of a fixed reflector.

Suitable for: Commercial fishing vessels, charter boats, ferries, offshore yachts, liferafts, grab bags, and all SOLAS-surveyed vessels and recreational craft operating in New Zealand and Pacific Island waters.

Complete your liferaft and grab bag safety kit:

• LSP HAF ISO CAT1 Liferaft — 4, 6, and 8 person, ex-stock Auckland
• LSP Emergency Food Rations — 500g, 10,000kJ, 5-year shelf life
• LSP Emergency Drinking Water Rations — Lloyd’s Register certified, 5-year shelf life
• LSP SOLAS Retro-Reflective Tape — mandatory liferaft and lifejacket marking
• LSP ASKOROS HRU-LR2 — automatic liferaft hydrostatic release unit

Contact us  — +64 9 275 4680 | mark@liferaftssouthpacific.co.nz