This idea just popped into my head, and since Stormworks is a Coast guard game, it could use this. Of course bug fixes and what not should take priority before any feature is taken into consideration.

What is a Hydrostatic release unit.

It is a life raft usually stored in a fiberglass/aluminum casing. It has a special mechanism that when a vessel is sinking and underwater, the cable securing the container is cut free. A cord is then left attached, once the raft floats up and tugs the cable the raft will inflate out of it's casing and float to the surface for survivors to climb onto.

How it could be implemented to Stormworks

The raft container could work similar to a parachute block, only deploying when told to, or if under a certain circumstance.

The raft should only deploy if the ship has sunk under four meters or more or a manual release is hit. (This way, a wave will not set off the raft if a vessel smashes into one and stays under for a couple seconds.

Shape/modeling. The look of the raft can be pretty simple, just a cylinder with some ribbing in it and rounded edges. the container should be about a 5x3x3 block, as well as a rack for it to be placed on which would be elevated off the deck by about 1 or 2 blocks. A latch would also need to be modeled as well but shouldn't need too much detail of course. A raft would also need to be modeled for when the raft is deployed. For optimization, the container should disappear of course when it hits the surface, as well any raft that is not occupied or close to by a player or NPC for about five minutes should be despawned. If a raft does not make it to the surface within a minute, it should also be despawned as it probably got stuck in a capsized ship.

Heres a video on how they work. https://youtu.be/vRTMSPbxOLY

Well that's it. Upvote this if ya wanna see it. Just thought it was a neat idea as I was looking at some decoration ones I put on my ship and thought it would be neat to have in game. As always, bug fixes and what not are always appreciated and I would prefer that over a feature anyday. But if ya run out of reports for the day this would be a nice side project. Anyway imma stop procrastinating on my project. Have a good one.