life raft
Inflatable rescue vessel
A life raft is an inflatable or rigid boat kept aboard ships and aircraft for emergency use if the vessel must be abandoned.
Unlike lifeboats, which are typically solid and permanently mounted, life rafts are usually stored in compact containers and inflate automatically or manually when deployed.
The term extends figuratively to anything that provides rescue or support in a crisis: The loan was a life raft for the struggling business.
Severe anxiety or suffering
- SOSMorse distress code
- maydayRadio emergency signal
- flareSudden bright burst
- evacuationRemoval from danger
crisis · alarm · beacon · signal · emergency kit · first aid · panic · urgent
Essential connection to safety
- recoveryRegaining what was lost
- salvageRecovering damaged goods
- helicopterRotary-wing aircraft
- coast guardMaritime safety and rescue service
search · aid · responder · evacuation · deliverance · extricate · spotted · pickup
Left stranded and helpless
- driftingMoving without purpose
- currentsDirectional flows of movement
- wavesTraveling energy disturbances
- tidesPeriodic sea-level changes
float · lost · isolated · unanchored · wandering · aimless · directionless · castaway
Expandable by air
- dinghySmall auxiliary watercraft
- pontoonBuoyant platform or vessel
- buoyancyFluid's upward resistance
- boatWatercraft for travel
nautical · maritime · canopy · oars · paddles · capacity · overboard · boarding
Ability to stay afloat
- provisionsStockpiled food and supplies
- rationingLimiting distribution during scarcity
- dehydrationExcessive fluid loss
- exposureState of being unprotected
hypothermia · endurance · perseverance · resourcefulness · shelter · sustenance · signal mirror · freshwater
Essential connection to safety
- safety netProtection against failure
- last resortFinal available option
- backupStored duplicate for recovery
- fallbackAlternative if primary fails
salvation · hope · reprieve · saving grace · stopgap · cushion · insurance · support
distress
Severe anxiety or suffering
evacuation · crisis · alarm · beacon · signal · emergency kit · first aid · panic · urgent · help
lifeline
Essential connection to safety
- recoveryRegaining what was lost
- salvageRecovering damaged goods
- helicopterRotary-wing aircraft
coast guard · search · aid · responder · evacuation · deliverance · extricate · spotted · pickup · hoist
marooned
Left stranded and helpless
- driftingMoving without purpose
- currentsDirectional flows of movement
- wavesTraveling energy disturbances
tides · float · lost · isolated · unanchored · wandering · aimless · directionless · castaway · stranded
inflatable
Expandable by air
boat · nautical · maritime · canopy · oars · paddles · capacity · overboard · boarding · tethered
flotation
Ability to stay afloat
- provisionsStockpiled food and supplies
- rationingLimiting distribution during scarcity
- dehydrationExcessive fluid loss
exposure · hypothermia · endurance · perseverance · resourcefulness · shelter · sustenance · signal mirror · freshwater · sunburn
lifeline
Essential connection to safety
- safety netProtection against failure
- last resortFinal available option
- backupStored duplicate for recovery
fallback · salvation · hope · reprieve · saving grace · stopgap · cushion · insurance · support · refuge
- boatsboat, ship, canoe, kayak, yacht
- "life" phraseslifeblood, nightlife, wildlife, lowlife, highlife
- rafts
- boat safetylifebuoy, flare, distress signal, fire extinguisher, flotation device
- offshore industryoffshore rig, semisubmersible, floating platform, helipad, subsea
- things that floatboat, ship, canoe, kayak, yacht
life raftmothership
Primary vessel carrying others
ocean liner · cruise ship · flagship · aircraft carrier · battleship
life raftanchor
Secures ships to seabed
deadweight · millstone · sinker · death trap · sinking ship
life raftdeath sentence
Judicial order of execution
final nail in the coffin · kiss of death · doom · downfall · ruin