Britain's Minesweepers Have New Life-Saving Raft - Can Keep Unconscious Men Afloat. Naval ratings with the Denton raft, showing how the harness can support persons who may have lost consciousness. All Britain's minesweepers have now been equipped with a new device for saving life at sea - the Denton raft. In an emergency, 12 men can be supported by the raft, the outstanding feature of which is harness that passes around the body under the armpits. Thus, should a person lose consciousness he will still be supported in the water. April 17, 1940.