What is one major difference between a life raft and a life boat?

A life raft is characterized by its inflatable design and its primary purpose for emergency situations. It is compact and typically stored in a location on a vessel where it can be quickly deployed in the event of a crisis, such as a sinking ship. Life rafts are designed to provide flotation and shelter for individuals who may need to abandon a vessel suddenly and are usually equipped with emergency survival provisions.

While other options may reference various aspects of life rafts and life boats, the distinguishing feature of an inflatable, emergency-use life raft stands out. Life boats, on the other hand, are generally more robust, constructed with rigid materials, and often have greater capabilities for rescue operations, but do not typically serve the same immediate emergency purpose in the way inflatable life rafts do. This understanding is essential for safety training, as recognizing these differences can be crucial in survival situations at sea.