# Inflatable On-Board Rafts The Extendable Lifeboat Compactly Enhances Your Watercraft Safety By Amelia Roblin | Published 2012-09-06 | Autos Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/extendable-lifeboat References: [yankodesign](http://www.yankodesign.com/2012/09/05/the-power-of-being-compact/) & [ifdesign.de](http://www.ifdesign.de/) If something was to happen while aboard your [pontoon or motorboat](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/yacht-tender) that involved an immediate evacuation, the Extendable Lifeboat would be such a useful item to have available -- to say the least. One life jacket per person might be the law, but that temporary solution isn't ideal if rescuers are an uncomfortable distance away. Haimo Bao entered this concept into the 2012 iF Design Talents. It is an innovative [self-inflating vessel](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/conqueror-inflatable) that can be compactly stored within the bow of your watercraft or tucked to the side of a wider deck. A generously sized air inlet causes the [life raft](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/alpacka-raft) to expand lengthwise, creating the space to fit two passengers within its cushioned gunnels. From the illustrations of the Extendable Lifeboat, it appears as though an additional child or two might fit if need be. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.5/10 - Popularity: 61% | Activity: 36% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Autos](https://www.trendhunter.com/autos) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Inflatable Boats:** The trend of using inflatable boats for watercraft safety presents opportunities for enhanced portability and compact storage innovations. - **Self-inflating Vessels:** The trend of self-inflating vessels offers possibilities for immediate evacuation solutions and increased passenger capacity. - **Compact Life Rafts:** The trend of compact life rafts opens up opportunities for space-saving designs that can be conveniently stored on watercrafts for emergency situations. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Marine Safety:** The marine safety industry can explore disruptive innovation opportunities by developing inflatable on-board rafts to enhance watercraft safety standards. - **Leisure Boating:** The leisure boating industry can leverage the trend of inflatable on-board rafts to improve safety measures and provide peace of mind to boaters. - **Emergency Response:** The emergency response industry can benefit from the trend of extendable lifeboats as an efficient solution for immediate evacuation in water-related incidents. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Mobile Motorized Inflatable Watercraft](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/goboat-20.md) - [Plastic Bottle Lifejackets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bot-lifejacket.md) - [Floating Bar-Style Docks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bote-inflatable-dock-hangout-classic.md) - [Flood-Proof Raft-Inspired Sofas](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bliss-sofa.md) - [Portable Folding Boats](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/portable-folding-boat.md) - [Lifesaving Swimming Vests](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/swimming-vest.md) - [Inflatable Two-Level Catamarans](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/portless-catamaran.md) - [Convertible Exploration Boats](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/rand-roamer-29-boat.md) - [Paddleboard Camping Tents](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bajao-cabin.md)