Life Saving Appliances

LIFE SAVING APPLIANCES (LSA) CODE:

1. Definitions and general requirements for life-
saving appliance
2. Lifebuoys and Life-jackets
3. Immersion suits, Anti-exposure suits and
Thermal protective aids
4. General requirements for lifeboats
5. General requirements for life-rafts
6. General requirements for rescue boats
7. Rocket parachute flares
8. Hand flares
9. Buoyant smoke signals
10. Launching and embarkation
appliances
11. Marine evacuation systems
12. Line-throwing appliances
13. General emergency alarm system
14. Public address system
15. IMO Symbols and Safety signs
01. DEFINITIONS AND GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR LIFE-
SAVING APPLIANCES
Convention means the SOLAS, 1974, as amended.
Regulation means a regulation contained in the Annex to the
Convention.
Retro-reflective material is a material which reflects in the
opposite direction a beam of light directed on it. [A.658(16)]
Organization means IMO with all its committees.
Administration means Maritime administration of Flag state.
The terms used in this Code have the same meaning as those
defined in regulation III/3.
Life-saving appliances on all ships have to be fitted with retro-
reflective material where it will assist in detection and in
accordance with the recommendations of the Organization in
A.658(16);
Unless expressly provided otherwise in the opinion of the
Administration, all LSA prescribed in this part shall:
- be constructed with proper workmanship and materials;
- not be damaged in stowage throughout the air temperature
range -30°C to +65°C;
- if they are likely to be immersed in seawater during their
use, operate throughout the seawater temperature range -1°C
to +30°C;
- where applicable, be rot-proof, corrosion-resistant, and not
be unduly affected by seawater, oil or fungal attack;
- where exposed to sunlight, be resistant to deterioration;
- be of a highly visible color on all parts where this
will assist detection;
- be fitted with retro-reflective material where it
will assist in detection and in accordance with the
recommendations of the Organization in A.658(16);
- if they are to be used in a seaway, be capable of
satisfactory operation in that environment;
- be clearly marked with approval information
including the Administration which approved it,
and any operational restrictions;
- where applicable, be provided with electrical
short circuit protection to prevent damage or
injury.
The Administration shall determine the period of
acceptability of life-saving appliances which are
subject to deterioration
with age. Such life-saving appliances shall be marked
with a means for determining their age or the date by
which they
must be replaced. Permanent marking with a date of
expiry is the preferred method of establishing the
period of
acceptability. Batteries not marked with an expiration
date may be used if they are replaced annually, or in
the case of a secondary battery (accumulator), if the
condition of the electrolyte can be readily checked.
02. LIFEBUOYS AND LIFE-JACKETS
Every lifebuoy shall:
􀂙 have an outer diameter of not more than
800 mm and an inner diameter of not less
than 400 mm;
􀂙 be constructed of inherently buoyant
material; it shall not depend upon rushes,
cork shavings or granulated cork, any
other loose granulated material or any air
compartment which depends on inflation
for buoyancy;
􀂙be capable of supporting not less than
14.5 kg of iron in fresh water for a period
of 24 hours;
􀂙 have a mass of not less than 2.5 kg;
􀂙 not sustain burning or continue
melting after being totally enveloped
in a fire for a period of 2 seconds;
􀂙 be constructed to withstand a drop
into the water from the height at
which it is stowed above the waterline in the
lightest seagoing condition or 30 m,
whichever is the greater, without impairing
either its operating capability or that of its
attached
components;
􀂙 if it is intended to operate the quick release
arrangement provided for the self-activated
smoke signals and self-igniting lights,
have a mass sufficient to operate the quick
release arrangement;
􀂙 be fitted with a grab line not less than 9.5
mm in diameter and not less than 4 times
the outside diameter of the body of the
buoy in length. The grab line shall be
secured at four equidistant points around
the circumference of the buoy to form four
equal loops.
Self-igniting lights shall:
􀂙 be such that they cannot be
extinguished by water;
􀂙be of white colour and capable of either
burning continuously with a luminous
intensity of not less than 2 cd in all
directions of the upper hemisphere or
flashing (discharge flashing) at a rate
of not less than 50 flashes and not more
than 70 flashes per min with at least the
corresponding effective luminous intensity;
􀂙 be provided with a source of energy
capable of meeting the requirement of
previous paragraph for a period of at least
2 hours;
􀂙 be capable of withstanding the drop test
into the water from the height at which it is
stowed above the waterline in the lightest
seagoing condition or 30 m, whichever is
the greater, without
impairing either its operating capability or
that of its attached components.
Self-activating smoke signals shall:
􀂙 emit smoke of a highly visible color at
a uniform rate for a period of at least 15
min when floating in calm water;
􀂙 not ignite explosively or emit any flame
during the entire smoke emission time of
the signal;
􀂙 not be swamped in a seaway;
􀂙 continue to emit smoke when fully
submerged in water for a period of at
least 10 s;
􀂙 be capable of withstanding the drop test
into the water from the height at which it is
stowed above the waterline in the lightest
seagoing condition or 30 m, whichever is
the greater, without impairing either its
operating capability or that of its attached
components.
Buoyant lifelines shall:
􀂙 be non-kinking;
􀂙 have a diameter of not less than
8 mm; and
􀂙 have a breaking strength of not less
than 5 kN.
Life-jackets:
An adult life-jacket shall be so constructed that:
􀂙 shall not sustain burning or continue melting after being
totally enveloped in a fire for a period of 2 seconds.
􀂙 at least 75% of persons, who are completely unfamiliar
with the lifejacket, can correctly don
it within a period of one min without assistance, guidance
or prior demonstration;
􀂙 after demonstration, all persons can correctly don it
within a period of one minute without
assistance;
􀂙 it is clearly capable of being worn in only one
way or, as far as is practicable, cannot be donned
incorrectly;
􀂙 it is comfortable to wear;
􀂙 it allows the wearer to jump from a height of at
least 4.5 m into the water without injury and
without dislodging or damaging the lifejacket.
􀂙 shall have buoyancy which is not reduced by
more than 5% after 24h submersion in fresh water.
􀂙 shall be fitted with a whistle firmly secured by a
cord
An adult lifejacket shall have sufficient buoyancy
and stability in calm fresh water to:
􀂙 .1 lift the mouth of an exhausted or unconscious
person not less than 120 mm clear of the water
with the body inclined backwards at an angle of
not less than 20° from the vertical position;
􀂙 .2 turn the body of an unconscious person in the
water from any position to one where the mouth
is clear of the water in not more than 5 s.
􀂙 shall allow the person wearing it to swim a short
distance and to board a survival craft.
A child lifejacket shall be constructed and perform the
same as an adult lifejacket except as follows:
􀂙 donning assistance is permitted for small children;
􀂙 it shall only be required to lift the mouth of an
exhausted or unconscious wearer clear of the
water a distance appropriate to the size of the intended
wearer;
􀂙 assistance may be given to board a survival craft, but
wearer mobility shall not be significantly
reduced.
In addition to the markings with approval information
including the Administration which approved it,
and any operational restrictions, a child lifejacket shall
be marked with:
- the height or weight range for which the
lifejacket will meet the testing and evaluation
criteria recommended by the Organization in
A.689.(17)
- a "child" symbol as shown in the "child's
lifejacket" symbol adopted by the Organization
in
A.760(18)
Inflatable lifejackets
A lifejacket which depends on inflation for buoyancy shall
have not less than two separate compartments and comply
with the all requirements for ordinary lifejacket, and shall:
- inflate automatically on immersion, be provided with a
device to permit inflation by a single
manual motion and be capable of being inflated by mouth;
- in the event of loss of buoyancy in any one compartment
be capable of complying with the all
requirements for ordinary lifejacket;
􀂙

shall have buoyancy which is not reduced by more than 5%

after 24h submersion in fresh
water after inflation by means of the automatic mechanism.
Life-jacket light shall:
- have a luminous intensity of not less than 0.75 cd in all
directions of the upper hemisphere;
- have a source of energy capable of providing a luminous
intensity of 0.75 cd for a period of at least 8 hours;
- be visible over as great a segment of the upper
hemisphere as is practicable when attached to a lifejacket;
- be of white color.
If the light referred above is a flashing light it
shall, in addition:
- be provided with a manually operated switch;
and
- flash at a rate of not less than 50 flashes and
not more than 70 flashes per min with an
effective luminous intensity of at least
0.75 cd.
03. IMMERSION SUITS, ANTI-EXPOSURE SUITS AND
THERMAL PROTECTIVE AIDS
The immersion suit
The immersion suit shall be constructed with
waterproof materials such that:
- it can be unpacked and donned without assistance
within 2 min, taking into account any associated
clothing*, and a lifejacket if the immersion suit is to be
worn in conjunction with a lifejacket;
- it will not sustain burning or continue melting after
being totally enveloped in a fire for a period of 2
seconds;
- it will cover the whole body with the exception of
the face. Hands shall also be covered unless
permanently attached gloves
are provided;
- it is provided with arrangements to minimize or
reduce free air in the legs of the suit;
- following a jump from a height of not less than 4.5
m into the water there is no undue ingress of water
into the suit.
An immersion suit which also complies with the
requirements of life-jackets may be classified as
a life-jacket.
An immersion suit which has buoyancy and is
designed to be worn without a lifejacket shall be
fitted with a light and the whistle complying with
the requirements for life-jackets.
If the immersion suit is to be worn in conjunction
with a lifejacket, the lifejacket shall be worn over
the immersion suit. A person wearing such an
immersion suit shall be able to don a lifejacket
without assistance
In that case immersion suit shall permit the
person wearing it:
- to climb up and down a vertical ladder at least 5
m in length;
- to perform normal duties associated with
abandonment;
- to jump from a height of not less than 4.5 m
into the water without damaging or dislodging
the immersion suit, or being injured;
- to swim a short distance through the water and
board a survival craft.
An immersion suit made of material which has no
inherent insulation shall be:
􀂙 .1 marked with instructions that it must be worn
in conjunction with warm clothing;
􀂙 .2 so constructed that, when worn in
conjunction with warm clothing, and with a
lifejacket if the immersion suit is to be worn with a
lifejacket, the immersion suit continues to
provide sufficient thermal protection, following
one jump by the wearer into the water from
a height of 4.5 m, to ensure that when it is worn
for a period of 1h in calm circulating
water at a temperature of 5°C, the wearer's body
core temperature does not fall more than 2°C.
An immersion suit made of material with inherent insulation,
when worn either on its own or with a
lifejacket, if the immersion suit is to be worn in conjunction
with a lifejacket, shall provide the
wearer with sufficient thermal insulation, following one jump
into the water from a height of 4.5 m,
to ensure that the wearer's body core temperature does not
fall more than 2°C after a period of 6h
immersion in calm circulating water at a temperature of
between 0°C and 2°C.
A person in fresh water wearing either an immersion suit or
an immersion suit with a lifejacket, shall be able to turn from
a face-down to
a face-up position in not more than 5 seconds.
Thermal protective aids
A thermal protective aid shall be made of waterproof material having
a thermal conductance of not more
than 7800 W/(m2.K) and shall be so constructed that, when used to
enclose a person, it shall reduce both
the convective and evaporative heat loss from the wearer's body.
􀂙 The thermal protective aid shall:
􀂙 cover the whole body of persons of all sizes wearing a lifejacket
with the exception of
􀂙 the face. Hands shall also be covered unless permanently attached
gloves are provided;
􀂙 be capable of being unpacked and easily donned without assistance
in a survival craft or rescue boat;
- permit the wearer to remove it in the water in not more than 2 min, if it impairs ability to swim.
The thermal protective aid shall function properly throughout an air temperature range -30°C to +20°C.

04. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR LIFEBOATS

All lifeboats shall be properly constructed and shall be of such form and proportions that they have ample
stability in a seaway and
sufficient freeboard when loaded with their full complement of persons and equipment. All lifeboats shall
have rigid hulls and shall be
capable of maintaining positive stability when in an upright position in calm water and loaded with their full
complement of persons and equipment and holed in
any one location below the waterline, assuming no
loss of buoyancy material and no other damage.
Each lifeboat shall be fitted with a certificate of
approval, endorsed by the Administration, containing
at least the following items:
􀂙 manufacturer's name and address;
􀂙 lifeboat model and serial number;
􀂙 month and year of manufacture;
􀂙 number of persons the lifeboat is approved to carry;
and
􀂙 with approval information including the
Administration which approved it, and any
operational restrictions.
All lifeboats shall be of sufficient strength to:
- enable them to be safely launched into the water
when loaded with their full complement of persons
and equipment;
- be capable of being launched and towed when the
ship is making headway at a speed of 5 knots in calm
water.
Hulls and rigid covers shall be fire-retardant or non-
combustible.
Seating shall be provided on thwarts, benches or
fixed chairs which are constructed so as to be capable
of supporting:
- a static load equivalent to the number of persons
each weighing 100 kg for which spaces are provided in
compliance with the seating requirements.
- a load of 100 kg in any single seat location when a
lifeboat to be launched by falls is dropped into the
water from a height of at least 3 m;
- a load of 100 kg in any single seat location when a
free-fall lifeboat is launched from a height of at least
1.3 times its free-fall.
Except for free-fall lifeboats, each lifeboat to be
launched by falls shall be of sufficient strength to
withstand, when loaded with its full
complement of persons and equipment and with,
where applicable, skates or fenders in position, a
lateral impact against the ship's side at an impact
velocity of at least 3.5 m/s and also a drop into the
water from a height of at least 3 m.
Access into lifeboats
- Every passenger ship lifeboat shall be so arranged
that it can be rapidly boarded by its full complement
of persons. Rapid
disembarkation shall also be possible.
- Every cargo ship lifeboat shall be so arranged that it
can be boarded by its full complement of persons in
not more than 3 min
from the time the instruction to board is given. Rapid
disembarkation shall also be possible.
- Lifeboats shall have a boarding ladder that can be
used at any boarding entrance of the lifeboat to
enable persons in the water to board the lifeboat.
The lowest step of the ladder shall be not less than 0.4 m below the
lifeboat's light waterline.
- The lifeboat shall be so arranged that helpless people can be brought on
board either from the sea or on stretchers.
- All surfaces on which persons might walk shall have a non-skid finish.

Lifeboat buoyancy
All lifeboats shall have inherent buoyancy or shall be fitted with inherently
buoyant material
which shall not be adversely affected by seawater, oil or oil products,
sufficient to float the lifeboat
with all its equipment on board when flooded and open
to the sea. Additional inherently buoyant
material, equal to 280 N of buoyant force per person shall be
provided for the number of persons the lifeboat is permitted to
accommodate.
Buoyant material, unless in addition to that required above, shall
not be installed external to the hull of the lifeboat.
Lifeboat propulsion
Every lifeboat shall be powered by a compression ignition engine.
No engine shall be used for any lifeboat if its fuel has a flashpoint of
43°C or less (closed cup test).
The engine shall be provided with either a manual starting system,
or a power starting system with two independent rechargeable
energy sources.
Any necessary starting aids shall also be provided. The
engine starting systems and starting aids shall start the
engine at an ambient temperature of -15°C within 2 min of
commencing the start procedure unless, in the opinion of
the Administration having regard to the particular voyages
in which the ship carrying the lifeboat is constantly
engaged, a different temperature is appropriate.
The speed of a lifeboat when proceeding ahead in calm
water, when loaded with its full complement of persons
and equipment and with all engine powered auxiliary
equipment in operation, shall be at least 6 knots and at
least 2 knots when towing a 25-person life-raft
loaded with its full complement of persons and equipment
or its equivalent.
Sufficient fuel, suitable for use throughout the
temperature
range expected in the area in which the ship
operates, shall be provided to run the fully loaded
lifeboat at 6 knots for a period of not
less than 24 h.
Water-resistant instructions for starting and
operating the engine shall be provided and mounted
in a conspicuous place near the
engine starting controls.
Lifeboat fittings
All lifeboats except free-fall lifeboats shall be
provided with at least one drain valve fitted near
the lowest point in the hull, which shall
automatically open to drain water from the hull
when the lifeboat is not waterborne and shall
automatically close to prevent entry of
water when the lifeboat is waterborne. Each drain
valve shall be provided with a cap or plug to close
the valve, which shall be attached
to the lifeboat by a lanyard, a chain, or other
suitable means. Drain valves shall be readily
accessible from inside the lifeboat and their
position shall be clearly indicated.
All lifeboats shall be provided with a rudder and
tiller. The rudder shall be permanently attached to
the lifeboat.
All lifeboats shall be fitted with sufficient watertight
lockers or compartments to provide for the storage
of the small items of equipment, water and
provisions.
Every lifeboat to be launched by a fall or falls,
except a free-fall lifeboat, shall be fitted with a
release mechanism, which shall be so arranged
that all hooks are released simultaneously and
release control shall be clearly marked in a color
that contrasts with its surroundings.
secure a painter near its bow. The device shall be

such that the lifeboat does not exhibit unsafe or

unstable characteristics when being towed by the

ship making headway at speeds up to 5 knots in

calm water.
Except for free-fall lifeboats, the painter securing
device shall include a release device to enable
the
painter to be released from insidethe lifeboat, with

the ship making headway at speeds up to 5 knots

Every lifeboat shall be so arranged that an adequate view
forward, aft and to both sides is provided from the control
and steering position for safe launching and maneuvering.
Lifeboat equipment
1) except for free-fall lifeboats, sufficient buoyant oars to
make headway in calm seas.
2) two boat-hooks;
3) a buoyant bailer and two buckets;
4) a survival manual
5) an operational compass which is luminous or provided
with suitable means of illumination. In a totally enclosed
lifeboat, the compass shall be permanently fitted at the
steering position; in any other lifeboat, it shall be provided
with a binnacle necessary to protect it from the weather.
6) a sea-anchor of adequate size fitted with a shock-resistant
hawser which provides a firm hand grip when wet. The
strength of the sea-anchor, hawser and tripping line if fitted
shall be adequate for all sea conditions;
7) two efficient painters of a length equal to not less than twice
the distance from the stowage position of the lifeboat to the
waterline in the lightest seagoing condition or 15 m, whichever
is the greater. On lifeboats to be launched by free-fall
launching, both painters shall be stowed near the bow ready
for use. On other lifeboats, one painter attached to the release
device required to come together with release mechanism
shall be placed at the forward end of the lifeboat and the other
shall be firmly secured at or near the bow of the lifeboat ready
for use;
8) two hatchets, one at each end of the lifeboat;
9) watertight receptacles containing a total of 3 liters
of fresh water for each person the lifeboat is
permitted to accommodate, of which either 1 liter per
person may be replaced by a desalting apparatus
capable of producing an equal amount of fresh water
in 2 days, or 2 liters per person may be replaced by a
manually powered reverse osmosis desalinator
capable of producing an equal amount of fresh water
in 2 days;
10) a rustproof dipper with lanyard;
11) a rustproof graduated drinking vessel;
12) a food ration totalling not less than 10,000 kJ for
each person the lifeboat is permitted to
accommodate; these rations shall be kept in airtight
packaging and be stowed in a watertight container;
13) four rocket parachute flares;
14) six hand flares;
15) two buoyant smoke signals;
16) one waterproof electric torch suitable for Morse
signalling together with one spare set of batteries
and one spare bulb in a waterproof container;
17) one daylight signalling mirror with instructions for its
use for signalling to ships and aircraft;
18) one copy of the life-saving signals prescribed by
regulation V/16 on a waterproof card or in a waterproof
container;
19) one whistle or equivalent sound signal;
20) a first-aid outfit in a waterproof case capable of
being closed tightly after use;
21) anti-seasickness medicine sufficient for at least 48 h
and one seasickness bag for each person;
22) a jack-knife to be kept attached to the boat by a
lanyard;
23) three tin openers;
24) two buoyant rescue quoits, attached to not less than
30 m of buoyant line;
25) if the lifeboat is not automatically self-bailing, a
manual pump suitable for effective bailing;
26) one set of fishing tackle;
27) sufficient tools for minor adjustments to the engine
and its accessories;
28) portable fire-extinguishing equipment of an
approved type suitable for extinguishing oil fires
[A.602(15)].
29) a searchlight with a horizontal and vertical sector of
at least 6° and a measured luminous intensity of 2500
cd which can work continuously for not less than 3 h;
30) an efficient radar reflector, unless a survival craft
radar transponder is stowed in the lifeboat;
31) thermal protective aids complying with the
requirements of section 2.5 sufficient for 10% of the
number of persons the lifeboat is permitted to
accommodate or two, whichever is the greater;
32) in the case of ships engaged on voyages of such a
nature and duration that, in the opinion of the
Administration a food ration and fishing tackle are
unnecessary, the Administration may allow these
items to be dispensed with.
Lifeboat markings
- The number of persons for which the lifeboat is
approved shall be clearly marked on it in clear
permanent characters.
- The name and port of registry of the ship to which
the lifeboat belongs shall be marked on each side of
the lifeboat's bow in block capitals of the Roman
alphabet.
Means of identifying the ship to which the lifeboat
belongs and the number of the lifeboat shall be
marked in such a way that they are visible from above
Free-fall lifeboats
Free-fall lifeboats shall comply with the requirements
of totally enclosed lifeboats described above.
The carrying capacity of a free-fall lifeboat is the
number of persons that can be provided with a seat
without interfering with the means of propulsion or
the operation of any of the lifeboat's equipment.
The width of the seat shall be at least 430 mm. Free
clearance in front of the backrest shall be at least 635
mm. The backrest shall extend at least 1,000 mm
above the seat pan.
Each free-fall lifeboat shall make positive headway immediately after
water entry and shall not come into contact with the ship after a free-
fall launching against a trim of up to 10° and a list of up to 20° either
way from the certification height when fully equipped and loaded with:
􀂙 its full complement of persons;
􀂙 occupants so as to cause the centre of gravity to be in the
most forward position;
􀂙 occupants so as to cause the centre of gravity to be in the
most aft position;
􀂙 its operating crew only.
Each free-fall lifeboat shall be of sufficient strength to withstand, when
loaded with its full complement of persons and equipment, a free-fall
launch from a height of at least 1.3 times the free-fall certification
height.
Each free-fall lifeboat shall be fitted with a release
system which shall:
􀂙 have two independent activation systems for the
release mechanisms which may only be operated from
inside the lifeboat and be marked in a color that contrasts
with its surroundings;
􀂙 be so arranged as to release the boat under any
condition of loading from no load up to at least 200% of
the normal load caused by the fully equipped lifeboat
when loaded with the number of persons for which it is
to be approved;
􀂙 be adequately protected against accidental or
premature use;
􀂙 be designed to test the release system without
launching the lifeboat;
.
􀂙 be designed with a factor of safety of 6 based
on the ultimate strength of the materials used.
In addition to the requirements for fully enclosed
lifeboat certificate of approval for a free-fall
lifeboat shall also state:
􀂙 free-fall certification height;
􀂙 required launching ramp length; and
􀂙 launching ramp angle for the free-fall
certification height
05. LIFE RAFTS
Every life raft shall be so constructed as to be capable of
withstanding exposure for 30 days afloat in all sea conditions.
The liferaft shall be so constructed that when it is dropped into
the water from a height of 18 m, the liferaft and its equipment
will operate satisfactorily. If the liferaft is to be stowed at a
height of more than 18 m above the waterline in the lightest
seagoing condition, it shall be of a type which has been
satisfactorily drop-tested from at least that height.
The floating liferaft shall be capable of withstanding repeated
jumps on to it from a height of at least 4.5 m above its floor
both with and without the canopy erected.
The life raft and its fittings shall be so constructed as
to enable it to be towed at a speed of 3 knots in calm
water when loaded with its full complement of
persons and equipment and with one of its sea-
anchors streamed.
The liferaft shall have a canopy to protect the
occupants from exposure which is automatically set in
place when the liferaft is launched and waterborne.
No liferaft shall be approved which has a carrying
capacity of less than six persons.
Unless the liferaft is to be launched by an approved
launching appliance or is not required to be stowed in
a position providing for easy side-to-side transfer,
the total mass of the liferaft, its container and its
equipment shall not be more than 185 kg.
The liferaft shall be fitted with an efficient painter of
length equal to not less than 10 m plus the distance
from the stowed position to the waterline in the
lightest seagoing condition or 15 m whichever is the
greater.
Davit-launched liferafts
In addition to the above requirements, a liferaft for use
with an approved launching appliance shall:
􀂙 when the liferaft is loaded with its full complement of
persons and equipment, be capable of withstanding a
lateral impact against the
ship's side at an impact velocity of not less than 3.5 m/s
and also a drop into the water from a height of not less
than 3 m without damage
that will affect its function;
􀂙 be provided with means for bringing the liferaft
alongside the embarkation deck and holding it securely
during embarkation.
Administration, not all the items specified in paragraph
4.1.5.1 are necessary, and "SOLAS B PACK" should be
marked in block capitals of the Roman alphabet on liferaft.
The liferaft painter system shall provide a connection
between the ship and the liferaft and shall be so arranged
as to ensure that the liferaft when released and, in the case
of an inflatable liferaft, inflated is not dragged under by the
sinking ship.
If a weak link is used in the float-free arrangement, it shall:
- not be broken by the force required to pull the painter
from the liferaft container;
- if applicable, be of sufficient strength to permit the
inflation of the liferaft; and
- break under a strain of 2.2 ± 0.4 kN.
The liferaft shall be packed in a container that is:
- so constructed as to withstand hard wear under
conditions encountered at sea;
- of sufficient inherent buoyancy, when packed with the
liferaft and its equipment, to pull the painter from within
and to operate
the inflation mechanism should the ship sink;
- as far as practicable watertight, except for drain holes in
the container bottom.
The container shall be marked with:
- maker's name or trade mark;
- serial number;
- name of approving authority and the number of persons
it is permitted to carry;
- SOLAS;
- type of emergency pack enclosed;
- date when last serviced;
- length of painter;
- maximum permitted height of stowage above
waterline (depending on drop-test height and length
of painter);
- launching instructions.
06. RESCUE BOATS
Rescue boats may be either of rigid or inflated
construction or a combination of both and shall:
- be not less than 3.8 m and not more than 8.5
m in length; and
- be capable of carrying at least five seated
persons and a person lying on a stretcher.
Rescue boats shall be capable of manoeuvring at a
speed of at least 6 knots and maintaining that speed
for a period of at least 4 hors.
07. ROCKET PARACHUTE FLARES
The rocket parachute flare shall:
- be contained in a water-resistant casing;
- have brief instructions or diagrams clearly illustrating the use of
the rocket
parachute flare printed on its casing;
- have integral means of ignition;
- be so designed as not to cause discomfort to the person holding
the casing when used in accordance with the manufacturer's
operating instructions.
The rocket shall, when fired vertically, reach an altitude of not less
than 300 m.
08. HAND FLARES
The hand flare shall:
- be contained in a water-resistant casing;
- have brief instructions or diagrams clearly illustrating
the use of the hand flare printed on its
casing;
- have a self-contained means of ignition; and
- be so designed as not to cause discomfort to the
person holding the casing and not
endanger the survival craft by burning or glowing
residues when used in accordance with
the manufacturer's operating instructions.
09. BUOYANT SMOKE SIGNALS
The buoyant smoke signal shall:
- be contained in a water-resistant casing;
- not ignite explosively when used in accordance with
the manufacturer's operating instructions
- have brief instructions or diagrams clearly illustrating
the use of the buoyant smoke signal printed on its
casing.
10. LAUNCHING AND EMBARKATION APPLIANCES
With the exception of the secondary means of launching
for free-fall lifeboats, each launching appliance shall be so
arranged that the fully equipped survival craft or rescue
boat it serves can be safely launched against unfavorable
conditions of trim of up 10° and list of up to 20° when
boarded by its full complement of persons.
Each launching appliance shall be so constructed that only
a minimum amount of routine maintenance is necessary.
All parts requiring regular maintenance by the ship's crew
shall be readily accessible and easily maintained.
Each launching appliance shall, as far as practicable,
remain effective under conditions of icing.
Embarkation ladders
Handholds shall be provided to ensure a safe passage
from the deck to the head of the ladder and vice versa.
The steps of the ladder shall be:
- made of hardwood, free from knots or other
irregularities, smoothly machined and free
from sharp edges and splinters, or of suitable material
of equivalent properties;
- provided with an efficient nonslip surface either by
longitudinal grooving or by the application of an
approved nonslip coating;
- not less than 480 mm long, 115 mm wide and 25 mm
in depth, excluding any nonslip surface or coating;
 equally spaced not less than 300 mm or more
than 380 mm apart and secured in such
a manner that they will remain horizontal.
The side ropes of the ladder shall consist of two
uncovered manila ropes not less than 65 mm in
circumference on each side. Each rope shall be
continuous with no joints below the top step.
Other materials may be used provided the
dimensions, breaking strain, weathering,
stretching
and gripping properties are at least equivalent to
those of manila rope. All rope ends shall be
secured to prevent unraveling.
11. MARINE EVACUATION SYSTEMS
The Marine Evacuation Chute (MEC) System is the most
efficient, easy-to-use, flexible, and cost-effective Marine
Evacuation System available in the world today. As a gravity
launch system, the Marine Evacuation System evacuates
passengers and crew with the utmost safety in the shortest
possible time.
Marine Evacuation System, dual-track slide platform, 50 person
liferaft.
The passage of the marine evacuation system shall provide for
safe descent of persons of various ages, sizes and physical
capabilities
wearing approved lifejackets from the embarkation station to
the floating platform or survival craft.
12. LINE-THROWING APPLIANCES
Every line-throwing appliance shall:
- be capable of throwing a line with reasonable
accuracy;
- include not less than four projectiles each capable of
carrying the line at least 230 m in calm weather;
- include not less than four lines each having a
breaking strength of not less than 2 kN;
- have brief instructions or diagrams clearly illustrating
the use of the line-throwing appliance.
The rocket, in the case of a pistol-fired rocket, or the
assembly, in the case of an integral rocket and line,
shall be contained in a water resistant casing.
In addition, in the case of a pistol-fired rocket, the line and
rockets together with the means of ignition shall be stowed in
a container which provides protection from the weather.
13. GENERAL EMERGENCY ALARM SYSTEM
The general emergency alarm system shall be capable of
sounding the general emergency alarm signal consisting of
seven or more short blasts followed by one long
blast on the ship's whistle or siren and additionally on an
electrically operated bell or klaxon or other equivalent warning
system, which shall be powered from the ship's main supply
and the emergency source of electrical power required by
regulation II-1/42 or II-1/43, as appropriate.
- The system shall be capable of operation from the
navigation bridge and, except
for the ship's whistle, also from other strategic
points.
- The system shall be audible throughout all the
accommodation and normal crew
working spaces.
- The alarm shall continue to function after it has
been triggered until it is manually turned off or is
temporarily interrupted by a message on the public
address system.
14. PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEM
The public address system shall be a loudspeaker
installation enabling the broadcast of messages into
all spaces where crew members or passengers, or both,
are normally present, and to muster stations. It
shall allow for the broadcast of messages from the
navigation bridge and such other places on board the
ship as the Administration deems necessary. It shall be
installed with regard to acoustically marginal
conditions and not require any action from the
addressee. It shall be protected against unauthorized
use.
With the ship underway in normal conditions, the minimum sound
pressure levels for broadcasting emergency announcements shall
be:
- in interior spaces 75 dB (A) and at least 20 dB (A) above the
speech interference level;
- in exterior spaces 80 dB (A) and at least 15 dB (A) above the
speech interference level.

15. IMO SYMBOLS AND SAFETY SIGNS