That's much how I feel about it too.

In the Fastnet didn't more people die in liferafts than died on boats? Possibly a false sense of security?

In any event, by all accounts people who have spent any time in a liferaft in real conditions always say that they wish they were dead!

Of course a liferaft is desirable, but I think the implication that it is essential in all situations is a little O.T.T.

I wonder how many of those who reckon a liferaft is essential have not had theirs serviced this year, or don't carry an EPIRB, or who have out of date flares, or have taken a short cut on maintenance, or have not filed a passage plan etc etc. All of these things could be argued as being "essential".

Safety can't be 100%, but it can be managed.