Hammar hydrostatic release for liferafts
The Hammar H20 Small Raft model (green) is for all recreational rafts up to 12 persons. (Outside SOLAS regulation)
For SOLAS liferafts the Hammar H20 Large Rafts (yellow) is required.
The difference between the units is the breaking strength of the weak link for the painter line.
If the wrong hydrostatic release is used the liferaft will inflate when the vessel sinks but on a smaller liferaft the link on a yellow hydro may not break leaving the inflated liferaft still attached to the vessel below the surface below the surface
The Hammar H20 is the best-selling HRU in the world, and it has been saving lives on the oceans for more than 30 years. Its safe, reliable, and simple design has earned more worldwide approval than any other unit.
The H20 needs no annual service, maintenance, or spare parts. You simply install a new unit and dispose of the old one once it has reached the end of service life.
The Hammar H20 for small rafts consists of a double-looped white rope line, a release mechanism, and a Red Weak Link with a green lower thimble. The weak link system has a break strength of +- 0.4kn and therefore is suitable for small liferafts.
The white strong rope of Hammar H20 is secured to the deck or liferaft cradle and attached to the liferaft lashing with a slip hook. If the ship sinks, the water pressure will, within approximately 4 metres, activate a sharp knife, that cuts the white strong rope and the liferaft will float free. As the ship sinks, the liferaft painter line will be stretched and the liferaft starts to inflate. The Red Weak Link breaks and survivors can board the floating liferaft. The Hammar H20 needs no annual service, maintenance, or spare parts, but must be replaced after 2 years of use on a ship.
The Hammar H20 is the best-selling hydrostatic release unit in the world
They have been saving lives on the oceans for more than 25 years. Its safe, reliable, and simple design has earned it more worldwide approvals than any other unit. The Hammar H20 Solas Model is designed for liferafts from 6 up to 150 persons.
The Hammar H20 is a hydrostatic release unit designed to fit liferafts of all shapes and sizes. It is made of glass fiber-reinforced nylon, which prevents it from corroding.
The Hammar H20 needs no annual service, maintenance, or spare parts. You simply install a new one every two years and dispose of the old one. With the environment in mind, the old unit is 97% recyclable.
The white strong rope of Hammar H20 is secured to the deck or liferaft cradle and attached to the liferaft lashing with a slip hook. If the ship sinks the water pressure will, within 4 metres, activate the sharp knife, which cuts the rope and the life raft will float free.
As the ship sinks, the liferaft painter line will be stretched and the liferaft starts to inflate. The Red Weak Link™ breaks and survivors can board the floating liferaft.
The Hammar H20 release unit consists of a double-looped white rope line, a release mechanism, and a Red Weak Link™ (breaking strength 2,2 ± 0,4kN).
For smaller liferafts (from 4 persons and outside SOLAS regulation) we recommend Hammar H20 Small Rafts model with a special weak link, identified by the green lower thimble (breaking strength 1,2 ± 0,4 kN).