life raft

a raft, often inflatable, for use in emergencies, as when a ship must be abandoned or when a plane is downed at sea.

Origin of life raft

First recorded in 1810–20

The life-raft was a big affair that Rectus and I had often examined.

A Jolly Fellowship |Frank R. Stockton
He was aboard the Olivia when the ship struck on the bar, and resolved to take a desperate chance and come ashore on a life-raft.

Larry Dexter's Great Search |Howard R. Garis
Well, it wasn't much of a life-raft, as you may well suppose, but a man in such a fix as I was will take anything he can get.

Harper's Round Table, June 11, 1895 |Various
"A fisherman and I helped save him from a life-raft," and he told the circumstances.

Larry Dexter's Great Search |Howard R. Garis

Two cigar-shaped steel air-cylinders with a thin connecting deck was the life-raft.

Wide Courses |James Brendan Connolly

life raft

a raft for emergency use at sea