What is the requirement for life rafts when operating over 10 nm from the shore?

In the context of operating over 10 nautical miles from the shore, the requirement to have each person on board equipped with their own life jacket and a life raft is essential for safety. This regulation is designed to ensure that in the event of an emergency, such as abandonment of the aircraft over water, each individual has immediate access to the means of flotation necessary to increase their chances of survival.

The rationale behind this requirement lies in the increased risk associated with being further from shore; the chances of timely rescue decrease as the distance increases. Therefore, equipping each person with their own life raft ensures that even if the aircraft were to ditch in the water, all individuals would have personal flotation devices readily available, significantly improving survival rates and reducing the risk of drowning.

This requirement emphasizes the principle of ensuring maximum safety for all passengers and crew in situations where the likelihood of an emergency that necessitates evacuation is heightened, particularly over vast bodies of water. This focus on safety is a critical aspect of aviation regulations.