I have never had or required one in 35 years of Irish Sea cruising. Mostly inshore/ coastal (where the rocks are!) lots of strong tides (11m springs) overfalls and even a traffic separation zone. Have done passages to Ireland & IoM and not felt a need for one.

Yes, the consequences of sinking without one are dire. But yacht sinkings on shortish passages - like mine, are rare, very rare. I can live (or die) with that. Why do we have to get emotional blackmail to buy liferafts? Aside of oceanic passages, has anyone on here ever used one in earnest (ignoring pool sessions)?