Navigation (Life-saving Appliances) Regulations

Division 1.—General.

References to ship.

8. In this Part, unless the contrary intention appears, a reference to a ship shall be read as a reference to a Class I. ship, a Class II. ship or a Class III. ship.

Division 2.—Lifeboats, Davits and Launching Gear.

Number of lifeboats to be carried.

9.—(1.) Subject to this regulation, a Class I. ship, a Class II. ship which is less than one hundred feet in length and a Class III. ship shall be furnished with a lifeboat or lifeboats having an aggregate carrying capacity sufficient to accommodate the total number of persons that the ship is, under the Act, authorized to carry.

(2.) A ship, being a tanker, which has a gross registered tonnage of not less than three thousand tons shall be furnished with not less than four lifeboats, two of which shall be carried aft and two of which shall be carried amidships.

(3.) A Class II. ship which is not less than one hundred feet in length, not being a ship referred to in the next succeeding sub-regulation, shall be furnished, on each side of the ship, with a lifeboat or lifeboats having an aggregate carrying capacity sufficient to accommodate the total number of persons that the ship is, under the Act, authorized to carry.

(4.) A Class II. ship which is not less than one hundred feet in length employed as a whale factory ship or engaged in the carriage of persons employed in the whaling industry shall be furnished—

(a) on each side of the ship, with a lifeboat or lifeboats having an aggregate carrying capacity sufficient to accommodate the total number of members of the crew of the ship; and

(b) in addition, with a lifeboat or lifeboats having an aggregate carrying capacity sufficient to accommodate the total number of persons, not being members of the crew, carried by the ship.

(5.) Where the Director is satisfied that the furnishing of more than one lifeboat is impracticable in the case of a Class II. ship which has a gross registered tonnage of less than five hundred tons, he may, in respect of that ship, grant an exemption from furnishing more than one lifeboat.

(6.) Where the Director grants an exemption in respect of a ship under the last preceding sub-regulation, the lifeboat furnished on that ship shall be carried in such manner as to enable it to be placed in the water on either side of the ship.

Motor lifeboats.

10.—(1.) Where the number of lifeboats with which a ship is required to be furnished in accordance with the last preceding regulation is twenty or more, two of the lifeboats shall be Class A motor lifeboats.

(2.) Where the number of lifeboats with which a ship is required to be furnished in accordance with the last preceding regulation is more than thirteen but less than twenty—

(a) one lifeboat shall be a Class A motor lifeboat; and

(b) another lifeboat shall be a Class A motor lifeboat, a Class B motor lifeboat or a mechanically-propelled lifeboat.

(3.) In a Class I. ship, where the number of lifeboats required to be furnished in accordance with the last preceding regulation is thirteen or less, one lifeboat shall be a Class A motor lifeboat, a Class B motor lifeboat or a mechanically-propelled lifeboat.

(4.) A Class A motor lifeboat, a Class B motor lifeboat or a mechanically-propelled lifeboat shall be included in the lifeboats furnished in a Class II. ship which has a gross registered tonnage of not less than sixteen hundred tons.

(5.) The Director may, in his discretion, grant in respect of a limited coast-trade ship an exemption from being furnished with a Class A motor lifeboat or a Class B motor lifeboat as required by this regulation.

Length of lifeboat.

11.—(1.) Subject to the next succeeding sub-regulation, a lifeboat furnished in a ship in accordance with these Regulations shall—

(a) in the case of a Class I. ship, or in the case of a Class II. ship which has a gross registered tonnage of more than five hundred tons, be not less than twenty-four feet in length; and

(b) in the case of any other Class II. ship or in the case of a Class III. ship, be not less than sixteen feet in length.

(2.) If the Director is satisfied that it is unreasonable or impracticable to require the length of a lifeboat furnished on a ship to comply with the last preceding sub-regulation, he may permit a lifeboat of less than the specified length to be furnished.

Construction of lifeboats.

12.—(1.) The lifeboats provided in a ship shall—

(a) comply with the provisions of Part I. of the Second Schedule;

(b) be of a form and proportions that will give ample stability in a seaway and sufficient freeboard when loaded with a full complement of persons and equipment;

(c) be constructed of materials approved for the purpose by the Director; and

(d) be of strength sufficient to permit them being lowered safely into the water when loaded with a full complement of persons and equipment.

(2.) The weight of a lifeboat when fully loaded with the number of persons it is deemed fit to carry under the next succeeding regulation and its equipment shall not exceed twenty tons.

(3.) For the purposes of the last preceding sub-regulation, a person shall be deemed to weigh one hundred and sixty-five pounds.

(4.) The thwarts and side seats of a lifeboat shall be fitted as low in the lifeboat as practicable.

(5.) The bottom boards of a lifeboat shall be fitted so that the thwarts are not more than two feet nine inches above them.

Number of persons to be carried.

13.—(1.) Subject to the succeeding provisions of this regulation, a lifeboat provided in a ship shall be deemed fit to carry a number of persons that is equal to the number, disregarding fractions, obtained by dividing by ten the capacity of the lifeboat in cubic feet.

(2.) The number of persons that a lifeboat is deemed fit to carry shall not exceed the number of adult persons for whom there is proper seating accommodation when wearing lifejackets, and when arranged in such a way that when seated, they do not interfere in any way with the handling or propelling of the lifeboat.

(3.) A lifeboat shall not be deemed fit to carry more than sixty persons unless—

(a) it is a Class A motor lifeboat, a Class B motor lifeboat or a mechanically-propelled lifeboat; and

(b) it is fitted with means to allow persons in the water to climb into it.

(4.) For the purposes of these Regulations, the capacity of a lifeboat shall be calculated in accordance with Part II. of the Second Schedule.

Equipment of lifeboats.

14.—(1.) A lifeboat provided in a ship shall be equipped as prescribed by the Third Schedule.

(2.) Subject to the next succeeding sub-regulation, all items of equipment of a lifeboat that are not kept in lockers shall be lightly lashed within the lifeboat.

(3.) The boat hook of a lifeboat shall be kept free for fending-off purposes.

(4.) The lashing of the equipment of a lifeboat shall be such that it ensures the security of the equipment, but does not interfere with the lifting hooks or prevent ready loading of, or impede ready entry into, the lifeboat.

(5.) In the case of a ship which is registered in Australia, such movable articles of the equipment of the lifeboats provided in the ship as may become flotsam shall be indelibly marked with the ship’s name or signal letters.

Numbering of lifeboats.

15.—(1.) Lifeboats attached to davits in a ship shall be identified by being numbered consecutively commencing from the forward lifeboats, each number being prefixed by the letter “P” for lifeboats on the port side, and the letter “S” for lifeboats on the starboard side.

(2.) Where two or more lifeboats are served by one set of davits, the second and subsequent lifeboats that are so served shall be identified by being allotted—

(a) the same letter and number as the lifeboat attached to the davits; and

(b) a distinguishing letter following the number to indicate the order of launching from that set of davits.

(3.) For the purposes of paragraph (b) of the last preceding sub-regulation, the distinguishing letters to be allotted to the second and subsequent lifeboats shall be allotted in alphabetical order, commencing with the letter A.

(4.) The identifying number and letters of a lifeboat under this regulation shall be painted, so as to be conspicuous, on the bluff of each bow, and on the inboard quarter of the lifeboat as stowed.

Marking of lifeboats.

16.—(1.) The dimensions of a lifeboat, and the number of persons that, under regulation 13 of these Regulations, the lifeboat is deemed fit to carry, shall be clearly and permanently marked on the lifeboat.

(2.) The name of the ship to which a lifeboat belongs shall be clearly painted on the bows of the lifeboat.

Stowage of lifeboats.

17.—(1.) A lifeboat provided in a ship, shall be carried in such manner as in the opinion of the Director—

(a) will allow the lifeboat to be put into the water safely and rapidly, even under unfavourable conditions of list and trim; and

(b) will not impede in any way—

(i) the rapid handling of another lifeboat or buoyant apparatus; or

(ii) the marshalling of passengers on board at their muster stations and their embarkation in the lifeboat.

(2.) A lifeboat shall not be carried in the bow of a ship.

(3.) Subject to the next two succeeding sub-regulations, in a ship other than a Class II. ship which is less than one hundred feet in length—

(a) each lifeboat shall be attached to a set of davits; and

(b) not more than one lifeboat shall be attached to the one set of davits.

(4.) Where the sets of davits in a Class I. ship, including any additional sets of davits fitted in accordance with regulation 23 of these Regulations, are not sufficient for all the lifeboats belonging to the ship, the lifeboats not attached to davits shall be carried under the lifeboats that are attached to davits.

(5.) Where, in respect of a Class II. ship or a Class III. ship, the Director is satisfied that it is not practicable or reasonable to require that each lifeboat shall be attached to a set of davits, he may, subject to compliance with such conditions (if any) as he specifies, grant an exemption from compliance with sub-regulation (3.) of this regulation in respect of such lifeboats as he specifies.

(6.) Where a lifeboat is carried under another lifeboat, removable supports or other appliances shall be provided to ensure that the weight of the upper lifeboat is not unduly supported by the lifeboat underneath it.

(7.) A lifeboat shall not be carried under a lifeboat that is an emergency boat.

(8.) Lifeboats shall not be carried on more than one deck unless adequate measures are taken to prevent the lifeboats on a lower deck being fouled by those carried on a deck above.

(9.) Lifeboats provided in a Class II. ship that is less than one hundred feet in length shall be carried so that they can be placed in the water readily on either side of the ship.

Winches and rope falls.

18.—(1.) Subject to the next succeeding sub-regulation, a lifeboat provided in a Class I. ship or a Class II. ship shall be served by wire-rope falls and winches.

(2.) Where the Director is satisfied that manila-rope falls are adequate, having regard to the height of the lifeboat above the water when the ship is at her lightest seagoing draught or to such other circumstances as he thinks fit, he may permit manila-rope falls, with or without winches, to be fitted.

(3.) An emergency boat provided in a ship shall be served by wire-rope falls and winches or by manila-rope falls with or without winches.

(4.) The falls serving a lifeboat or an emergency boat shall be long enough to reach the water with the ship at her lightest seagoing draft and listed to fifteen degrees either way.

(5.) Lower-fall blocks of falls serving a lifeboat shall be fitted with a suitable ring or long link for attaching to the lifeboat or emergency boat lifting hooks, unless the disengaging gear prescribed by the Fourth Schedule is fitted.

Lifelines.

19. In a ship, two lifelines which are long enough to reach the water with the ship at her lightest seagoing draft and listed to fifteen degrees either way shall be fitted to the davit span of each lifeboat.

Attachment of falls.

20.—(1.) Where, in a ship, a lifeboat is attached to a set of davits, the falls shall be attached to the lifeboat ready for service and the points of attachment of the falls to the lifeboat shall be so situated as to ensure that the lifeboat can be easily swung clear of the davits.

(2.) Where in a ship more than one lifeboat is served by one set of davits—

(a) unless the falls are of wire rope, separate falls shall be provided to serve each lifeboat;

(b) the equipment to serve each lifeboat shall be such as to ensure that the boats may be lowered rapidly and in turn; and

(c) if power equipment is fitted for the recovery of the falls, efficient hand gear shall also be provided.

Launching against adverse list.

21.—(1.) Subject to the next succeeding sub-regulation, where the boat deck of a ship is more than fifteen feet above the loadline indicating the deepest submersion of the ship which is permitted in respect of the ship under the Act, such arrangements as the Director approves shall be provided to facilitate the launching of the lifeboats against an adverse list.

(2.) The last preceding sub-regulation does not apply in relation to a lifeboat that is also an emergency boat.

Davits—Class I. ships.

22.—(1.) Subject to the next succeeding sub-regulation, a Class I. ship shall be fitted with—

(a) not less than the minimum number of sets of davits specified in relation to the length of the ship in the second column of the table in the Fifth Schedule; or

(b) if, on the application of the owner of the ship, the Director is satisfied that it is not practicable or reasonable to fit the number of davits required under the last preceding paragraph, not less than the minimum number of sets of davits specified in relation to the length of the ship in the third column of that table.

(2.) Nothing in the last preceding sub-regulation shall be deemed to require a ship to be fitted with a greater number of sets of davits than are necessary for the number of lifeboats required to be carried by the ship under regulation 9 of these Regulations.

Additional davits—Class I. ships.

23. Where in a Class I. ship the lifeboats attached to davits fitted in accordance with the last preceding regulation have an aggregate carrying capacity that is insufficient to accommodate the total number of persons that the ship is, under the Act, authorized to carry, additional sets of davits for the lifeboats that are necessary to make up the deficiency shall be fitted as far as is practicable and lifeboats shall be attached.

Types of davits.

24.—(1.) In a Class I. ship, and in a Class II. ship exceeding one hundred and fifty feet in length—

(a) the davits used for lifeboats weighing not more than four tons when fully equipped and manned for launching shall be of the luffing type or the gravity type; and

(b) the davits used for lifeboats weighing more than four tons when fully equipped and manned for launching shall be of the gravity type.

(2.) In a Class II. ship, other than a Class II. ship referred to in the last preceding sub-regulation, and in a Class III. ship, the davits shall be of the luffing type, the gravity type or the radial type.

(3.) Where the davits with which a ship is fitted are of the radial type, the davits shall be fitted with means to prevent them being jerked from their sockets.

Placing of davits.

25. The davits with which a ship is fitted shall be placed to the satisfaction of the Director.

Construction of davits and launching gear.

26. The davits with which a ship is fitted and the lifeboat launching gear shall comply with—

(a) the requirements prescribed by the Sixth Schedule; and

(b) such other requirements as are approved by the Director.

Division 3.—Buoyant Apparatus and Inflatable Liferafts.

Number of persons to be carried by buoyant apparatus.

27.—(1.) Subject to the next succeeding sub-regulation, buoyant apparatus provided in a ship shall be deemed fit to support a number of persons that is equal to the number ascertained by dividing by thirty-two the number of pounds weight of iron that the apparatus is capable of. supporting from its grablines in fresh water.

(2.) Buoyant apparatus shall not be deemed fit to support a greater number of persons than there are feet in the perimeter of the apparatus.

Construction of buoyant apparatus.

28. Buoyant apparatus provided in a ship shall—

(a) comply with the requirements prescribed by the Seventh Schedule;

(b) be of such construction that it retains its shape and properties when exposed to the weather on board a ship and when in the water;

(c) be constructed so as not to require adjustment prior to use; and

(d) have clearly and prominently marked on it the number of persons which it is deemed fit to support.

Buoyant apparatus— Class I. ships.

29. A Class I. ship shall be furnished with buoyant apparatus capable of supporting not less than twenty-five per centum of the total number of persons that the ship is, under the Act, authorized to carry.

Number of persons to be carried by inflatable liferafts.

30.—(1.) Subject to the next succeeding sub-regulation, an inflatable liferaft provided in a ship shall be deemed fit to carry a number of persons that is equal to—

(a) the number, disregarding fractions, obtained by dividing by three and two-fifths the volume in cubic feet of the main buoyancy tubes (other than buoyancy tubes which form arches or thwarts) when the liferaft is inflated; or

(b) the number, disregarding fractions, obtained by dividing by four the area in square feet of the floor of the liferaft (including any thwarts) when the liferaft is inflated,

whichever is the less.

(2.) An inflatable liferaft furnished in respect of a ship shall not be deemed fit to carry more than twelve persons.

(3.) The number of persons which an inflatable liferaft is designed to carry shall be clearly and permanently marked on the liferaft and on the valise or other container in which the liferaft is contained.

Construction of inflatable liferafts.

31. An inflatable liferaft provided in a ship shall comply with the requirements prescribed by Part I. of the Eighth Schedule.

Equipment of inflatable liferafts.

32. An inflatable liferaft provided in a ship shall be equipped, and be provided with rations, as prescribed by Part II. of the Eighth Schedule.

Stowage of inflatable liferafts.

33. An inflatable liferaft provided in a ship shall be carried in such a manner as to enable the liferaft—

(a) to be readily transferred to the water on either side of the ship; and

(b) to float free from the ship in the event of the ship sinking.

Inflatable liferafts—Class II. and III. ships.

34.—(1.) A ship to which this regulation applies of not less than one thousand tons gross registered tonnage shall be furnished with inflatable liferafts of an aggregate carrying capacity to accommodate not less than fifty per centum of the total number of persons that the ship is, under the Act, authorized to carry.

(2.) A ship to which this regulation applies of not less than five hundred tons, but less than one thousand tons gross registered tonnage, shall be furnished with inflatable liferafts of an aggregate carrying capacity to accommodate not less than seventy-five per centum of the total number of persons that the ship is, under the Act, authorized to carry.

(3.) A ship to which this regulation applies of less than five hundred tons gross registered tonnage shall be furnished with inflatable liferafts of an aggregate carrying capacity to accommodate the total number of persons that the ship is, under the Act, authorized to carry.

(4.) This regulation applies to Class II. ships and Class III. ships.

Division 4.—Lifebuoys and Lifejackets.

Lifebuoys to be carried.

35.—(1.) A Class I. ship shall be furnished with not less than the number of lifebuoys specified in relation to the length of the ship in the following table:—

(2.) A Class II. ship which has a gross registered tonnage of not less than five hundred tons shall be furnished with not less than eight lifebuoys.

(3.) A Class II. ship which has a gross registered tonnage of less than five hundred tons shall be furnished with not less than the number of lifebuoys specified in relation to the length of the ship in the following table:—

(4.) A Class III. ship shall be furnished with not less than four lifebuoys.

Construction of lifebuoys.

36. A lifebuoy provided in a ship—

(a) shall comply with the requirements prescribed by the Ninth Schedule; and

(b) shall not be filled with rushes, cork shavings, granulated cork or other loose granulated material or depend for its buoyancy upon air compartments requiring inflation.

Lifebuoy lights to be carried.

37.—(1.) Subject to sub-regulations (2.) and (3.) of this regulation, self-igniting lights of a design approved by the Director shall be provided for not less than half the number of lifebuoys provided in a ship in accordance with regulation 35 of these Regulations.

(2.) In a Class I. ship, the number of self-igniting lights provided for the lifebuoys shall not be less than six.

(3.) In a Class II. ship, the number of self-igniting lights provided for the lifebuoys shall not be less than two.

(4.) In a tanker, the self-igniting lights provided for the lifebuoys shall be electrically operated.

(5.) The self-igniting lights provided for the lifebuoys and the necessary means of attachment to the lifebuoys, shall be kept near the lifebuoys to which the lights belong.

Lifebuoy lines.

38. At least one lifebuoy on each side of a ship shall be fitted with a line which is not less than fifteen fathoms in length.

Stowage of lifebuoys.

39. Lifebuoys provided in a ship shall be stowed so as to be readily accessible to all persons on board, and shall be capable of being rapidly cut loose.

Lifejackets.

40.—(1.) A ship shall be furnished with not less than one lifejacket for each person that the ship is, under the Act, authorized to carry.

(2.) The lifejackets shall be stowed, so as to be readily accessible, and in such positions in the ship as a surveyor deems suitable for the purpose.

(3.) Positions in a ship where the lifejackets are stowed shall be clearly and permanently indicated as positions where lifejackets are stowed.

Construction of lifejackets.

41. Each lifejacket provided in a ship shall—

(a) be of a type approved by the Director;

(b) comply with the requirements prescribed by the Tenth Schedule;

(c) be reversible so that it may, without loss of its efficiency, be worn back to front or inside out;

(d) be suitable for both children and adults;

(e) depend for its buoyancy upon means other than air compartments; and

(f) have a distribution of buoyancy so that it will—

(i) support the body of an inert person wearing the life-jacket in the water in as near a vertical position as possible and with his head clear of the water; and

(ii) support the head of an unconscious person wearing the lifejacket in the water in such a manner as to prevent his head falling forward and his face becoming submerged.

Lifejacket lights and whistles.

42.—(1.) A lifejacket provided in a ship and intended for use by a member of the crew of the ship shall be fitted with a light and a whistle.

(2.) A light referred to in the last preceding sub-regulation shall—

(a) be of a type approved by the Director;

(b) be electrically operated;

(c) be capable of showing a red light for a period of not less than eight hours; and

(d) be fitted with a clip and lanyard for attachment to the life-jacket.

(3.) A whistle referred to in sub-regulation (1.) of this regulation shall—

(a) be of a type approved by the Director; and

(b) be fitted with a lanyard for attachment to the lifejacket.

Division 5.—Line-throwing Appliances and Signals of Distress.

Lint-throwing appliances.

43.—(1.) A Class I. ship, and a Class II. or Class III. ship which has a gross registered tonnage of not less than five hundred tons, shall be furnished with a line-throwing appliance, of a type approved by the Director, which—

(a) consists of an apparatus that complies with the requirements prescribed by Part I. of the Eleventh Schedule; and

(b) is capable of throwing a line one-half of an inch in circumference a distance of not less than two hundred and fifty yards in calm weather.

(2.) A Class II. or Class III. ship which has a gross registered tonnage of less than five hundred tons but not less than eighty tons shall be furnished with a line-throwing appliance, of a type approved by the Director which—

(a) consists of an apparatus that complies with the requirements prescribed by Part I. of the Eleventh Schedule; and

(b) is capable of throwing a line one-half of an inch in circumference a distance of not less than two hundred yards in calm weather.

(3.) A Class I. ship which has a gross registered tonnage of not less than five hundred tons shall be furnished with breeches buoy equipment that complies with the requirements prescribed by Part II. of the Eleventh Schedule.

(4.) A Class I. ship which has a gross registered tonnage of less than five hundred tons, and a Class II. or Class III. ship, shall be provided with breeches buoy equipment that complies with the requirements prescribed by Part II. of the Eleventh Schedule or with such substitute equipment as a surveyor deems to be suitable for the purpose.

Rocket signals and flares.

44.—(1.) A Class I. ship, and a Class II. or Class III. ship that is not less than fifty feet in length, shall be furnished with not less than twelve parachute distress rockets which comply with the requirements prescribed by the Twelfth Schedule.

(2.) A Class II. or Class III. ship that is less than fifty feet in length shall be furnished with—

(a) not less than twelve parachute distress rockets which comply with the requirements prescribed by the Twelfth Schedule; or

(b) not less than twelve red hand flares, of a type approved by the Director, capable of emitting five red stars into the air to a height of not less than one hundred and fifty feet.

(3.) Where a ship which has a gross registered tonnage of less than five hundred tons is not equipped with a radio installation, it shall be furnished with two deck flares that are self-igniting in water and capable of burning clearly for at least forty minutes.

(4.) A rocket or flare furnished in respect of a ship in pursuance of this regulation shall be—

(a) packed in a watertight container;

(b) clearly and indelibly labelled to indicate its purpose; and

(c) stowed in a magazine provided for the purpose.

(5.) A magazine in which a rocket or flare is stowed in pursuance of the last preceding sub-regulation shall have the words “DISTRESS SIGNAL MAGAZINE” painted on the outside of the magazine in conspicuous lettering.

Altering date of manufacture of rockets and flares.

45. A person shall not deface or alter, or attempt to deface or alter, the date of the manufacture stamped on a rocket or flare furnished in respect of a ship in pursuance of the last preceding regulation.

Division 6.—Other Appliances and Requirements.

Class I. ship to be furnished with two emergency boats.

46.—(1.) A Class I. ship shall be furnished with two boats attached to davits and ready for immediate use in an emergency.

(2.) An emergency boat shall be not more than twenty-six feet in length.

(3.) An emergency boat may be carried as a lifeboat or may be carried in addition to the lifeboats.

Portable radiotelegraphy equipment.

47.—(1.) Where a ship is—

(a) a Class I. ship that is not furnished with two class A motor lifeboats;

(b) a Class II. ship that is not a limited coast-trade ship or, being a limited coast-trade ship, has a gross registered tonnage of five hundred tons or more; or

(c) a Class III. ship that is an Australian-trade ship,

the ship shall be furnished with portable radiotelegraphy equipment.

(2.) The portable radiotelegraphy equipment required to be furnished in respect of a ship in accordance with the last preceding sub-regulation shall—

(a) be kept in the chart room of the ship, or in another suitable place, ready to be moved into a lifeboat in the event of an emergency; and

(b) comply with the requirements of the Navigation (Radio) Regulations applicable to that equipment.

(3.) Where the Director, having regard to the duration of the voyage or voyages on which a ship is engaged, considers that the furnishing of portable radiotelegraphy equipment is unnecessary, he may, in respect of that ship, grant an exemption from compliance with the provisions of this regulation.

Side ladders.

48. A ship shall be furnished at each set of davits with a side ladder which is long enough to reach the waterline with the ship at her lightest seagoing draft and listed to fifteen degrees either way.

Warning signals.

49. A Class I. ship shall be furnished with electrically-operated signals that can be controlled from the bridge for the purpose of summoning passengers to their muster stations.

Engine room discharge.

50. A Class I. ship and a Class II. ship shall be furnished with means, capable of being controlled from outside the engine room, to prevent any discharge of water into the lifeboats from the engine room.

Electric lighting system—Class I. ships.

51.—(1.) A Class I. ship shall be furnished with an electric lighting system for the purpose of illuminating—

(a) the exits and passages leading from each main compartment occupied by passengers and crew to the embarkation and boat decks;

(b) the decks on which the lifeboats and their launching gear are carried;

(c) the decks on which the buoyant apparatus is stowed; and

(d) the lifeboats (including the interior of the lifeboats) when in the process of being launched and, after launching, while they are at the ship’s side.

(2.) The master of a Class I. ship shall ensure that the exits and passages leading from each main compartment occupied by passengers and crew are continuously illuminated while the ship is at sea or at anchor in a port with passengers on board.

(3.) The lighting system furnished in respect of a Class I. ship shall be operated from the ship’s main generating plant, but provision shall be made so that electric power may also be supplied from an emergency source of power.

Electric lighting system—Class II. and Class III. ships.

52.—(1.) A Class II. ship and a Class III. ship shall be furnished with an electric lighting system for the purpose of illuminating—

(a) the lifeboat stations;

(b) the lifeboats (including the interior of the lifeboats) when in the process of being launched, and, after launching, while they are at the ship’s side; and

(c) such other parts of the ship as the Director specifies.

(2.) Subject to sub-regulation (4.) of this regulation, a Class II. ship and a Class III. ship shall also be provided with a self-contained emergency source of electrical power of sufficient capacity to provide the illumination specified in the last preceding sub-regulation for a period of at least five hours and so arranged that it will operate efficiently when the ship is listed twenty-two and one half degrees and the trim is ten degrees from an even keel.

(3.) The emergency source of electrical power referred to in the last preceding sub-regulation shall be situated outside the machinery space and above the bulkhead deck and shall consist of—

(a) an accumulator battery capable of meeting the requirements of the last preceding sub-regulation without being recharged or suffering an excessive voltage drop and which automatically comes into operation in the event of the failure of the main source of power for the main lighting system; or

(b) a generator driven by a compression ignition engine that is equipped with an efficient starting arrangement, uses a fuel having a flash point of not less than one hundred and ten degrees Fahrenheit and has an independent fuel supply.

(4.) In a Class II. or Class III. ship which has a registered tonnage of less than one thousand tons lighting by electric hand torches or electric hand lamps, of such number and placed in such positions as a surveyor determines, may be provided instead of the self-contained emergency source of electrical power referred to in sub-regulation (2.) of this regulation.

Weather deck hatches to be stamped.

53. The master of a ship which has a gross registered tonnage of less than one thousand tons shall not take the ship to sea unless the weather-deck wood hatch covers of the ship are indelibly stamped with the ship’s name in full or with the four letters forming the signal letters of the ship.

Part III.—Class IV. Ships.

Lifeboats.

54.—(1.) A Class IV. ship, other than a passenger ship which is less than seventy feet in length, shall be furnished with at least one lifeboat of a type approved by the Director.

(2.) Each lifeboat shall—

(a) have a weight, when fully loaded with the number of persons it is deemed fit to carry and its equipment, not exceeding twenty tons;

(b) have its thwarts and side seats fitted as low in the lifeboat as practicable;

(c) have its bottom boards fitted so that the thwarts are not more than two feet above them;

(d) subject to sub-regulations (3.), (4.) and (5.) of this regulation, be carried in a position, not being a position in the bow of the ship, from which it can be readily launched; and

(f) be equipped with—

(i) three oars and three rowlocks;

(ii) two plugs for each plug-hole which are attached to the lifeboat by lanyards or chains;

(iii) a bailer;

(iv) a painter; and

(v) a rudder or facilities for being steered with an oar.

(3.) Where, in the opinion of a surveyor, the fitting of launching appliances in a Class IV. ship is impracticable or unreasonable, a lifeboat provided for the ship may be towed behind the ship.

(4.) Where a lifeboat provided in a Class IV. ship is carried under another lifeboat, removable supports or other appliances shall be provided to ensure that the weight of the upper lifeboat is not unduly supported by the lifeboat underneath it.

(5.) A lifeboat provided in a Class IV. ship shall not be carried under a lifeboat that is also intended to be used in an emergency other than the rescue of the passengers and crew of the ship.

(6.) For the purposes of paragraph (a) of sub-regulation (2.) of this regulation—

(a) a lifeboat shall be deemed fit to carry the number of persons which, under regulation 13 of these Regulations, it would be deemed fit to carry if it were furnished in respect of a Class I. ship; and

(b) a person shall be deemed to weigh one hundred and sixty-five pounds.

Lifebuoys.

55.—(1.) A Class IV. ship which is a passenger ship shall be furnished with not less than four lifebuoys of a type approved by the Director.

(2.) A Class IV. ship which is a cargo ship shall be furnished with not less than two lifebuoys of a type approved by the Director.

Flotation equipment.

56.—(1.) Subject to the next succeeding sub-regulation, a Class IV. ship which is a passenger ship shall be furnished with—

(a) a lifejacket of a type approved by the Director for each person the ship is certified to carry; or

(b) a number of lifejackets of a type approved by the Director sufficient for at least forty per centum of the total number of persons the ship is certified to carry and buoyant apparatus of a type approved by the Director which, together with the lifebuoy furnished on the ship, are sufficient for the total number of persons the ship is certified to carry.

(2.) Where a Class IV. ship which is a passenger ship carries during daylight an additional number of passengers on holiday excursions, additional buoyant apparatus of a type approved by the Director, sufficient to support forty per centum of the additional number of passengers, or a lifejacket for each passenger including those additional passengers, shall be carried.

(3.) A Class IV. ship which is a cargo ship shall be furnished with—

(a) a lifejacket for each person the ship is certified to carry; or

(b) buoyant apparatus of a type approved by the Director, in addition to lifeboats furnished on the ship, which is sufficient for the total number of persons the ship is certified to carry.

(4.) Buoyant apparatus furnished in pursuance of this regulation shall have the number of persons which the apparatus is fit to support clearly and permanently marked on the apparatus.

(5.) For the purposes of this regulation, a lifebuoy shall be deemed fit to support two persons.

(6.) In this regulation, “certified” means certified in the certificate of survey in force in respect of a ship.

Exemption.

57. The Minister may, in such circumstances as he thinks fit, exempt a ship from compliance with the provisions of this Part.

Part IV.—Class V. Ships.

Lifeboats, &c., to be furnished.

58. A Class V. ship shall be furnished with—

(a) lifeboats or buoyant apparatus, being buoyant apparatus or a type approved by the Minister, or lifeboats and buoyant apparatus, being buoyant apparatus of a type approved by the Minister, having an aggregate carrying capacity sufficient to accommodate all persons on board the ship;

(b) one lifebuoy of a type approved by the Minister fitted with securely-seized beckets;

(c) one lifejacket of a type approved by the Minister for each person on board the ship;

(d) two fire extinguishers of a type approved by the Minister;

(e) one first-aid kit of a type approved by the Minister; and

(f) fresh water stored in containers the number and types of which are a number and types approved by the Minister.

Stowage of equipment.

59.—(1.) A buoyant apparatus, a fire extinguisher or a fresh-water container furnished in a ship in accordance with the last preceding regulation shall be stowed to the satisfaction of a surveyor.

(2.) A lifebuoy furnished in a ship in accordance with the last preceding regulation shall be so stowed as to be readily accessible to all persons on board the ship.

(3.) A lifejacket furnished in a ship in accordance with the last preceding regulation shall be so stowed as to be easily located by, and readily accessible to, the person for whose use it is intended.

General provisions in relation to lifeboats.

60.—(1.) A lifeboat provided in a Class V. ship shall—

(a) have a weight, when fully loaded with the number of persons it is deemed fit to carry and its equipment, not exceeding twenty tons;

(b) have its thwarts and side seats fitted as low in the lifeboat as practicable;

(c) have its bottom boards fitted so that the thwarts are not more than two feet above them; and

(d) subject to sub-regulations (3.), (4.) and (5.) of this regulation, be carried in a position, not being a position in the bow of the ship, from which it can be readily launched.

(2.) Where, in the opinion of a surveyor, the fitting of launching appliances in a Class V. ship is impracticable or unreasonable, a lifeboat provided for the ship may be towed behind the ship.

(3.) Where a lifeboat provided in a Class V. ship is carried under another lifeboat, removable supports or other appliances shall be provided to ensure that the weight of the upper lifeboat is not unduly supported by the lifeboat underneath it.

(4.) A lifeboat provided in a Class V. ship shall not be carried under a lifeboat that is also intended to be used in an emergency other than the rescue of the passengers and crew of the ship.

(5.) For the purposes of paragraph (a) of sub-regulation (1.) of this regulation—

(a) a lifeboat provided in a Class V. ship shall be deemed fit to carry the number of persons which, under regulation 13 of these Regulations, it would be deemed fit to carry if it were furnished in respect of a Class I. ship; and

(b) a person shall be deemed to weigh one hundred and sixty-five pounds.

Part V.—Miscellaneous.

Periodic inspection of life-saving appliances, fire appliances, gear, &c.

61.—(1.) The master of a ship shall ensure that a thorough inspection is made at least once each month, by a person appointed for that purpose by the master, of the condition and effectiveness for the purposes of an emergency of—

(a) the lifeboats and their lowering appliances and equipment;

(b) the lifeboat engines, radio and searchlight equipment (if any);

(c) where lifeboats are carried inboard, the arrangements for transporting these lifeboats to the side of the ship;

(d) the buoyant apparatus;

(e) other life-saving appliances;

(f) smoke helmets, safety lamps and all other fire appliances;

(g) the fire alarms and fire detecting apparatus;

(h) the bulkhead doors and fire resisting doors, where fitted, and their closing arrangements;

(i) the electric alarms in passenger accommodation where fitted; and

(j) the emergency lighting arrangements.

(2.) At the conclusion of an inspection made in pursuance of the last preceding sub-regulation, an entry stating the results of the inspection shall be made in the official log book.

Exemption of certain ships.

62. Where the Director is satisfied, in the case of a ship of less than one hundred tons gross registered tonnage which is not engaged on inter-national voyages, that any provision of these Regulations is, in the special circumstances of the case, unnecessary to secure the safety of the ship or of the persons on board, he may, by writing under his hand, grant in respect of the ship an exemption from compliance with that provision.

Special exemption of intrastate ships.

63.—(1.) The Deputy Director may, in his discretion, grant, in respect of a ship trading intrastate and equipped with life-saving appliances for that trade, an exemption from such of the provisions of these Regulations as he specifies in order to allow the ship to proceed to another State for docking or repairs.

(2.) Where an exemption is granted in respect of a ship under the last preceding sub-regulation, the Deputy Director of the State in which the docking or repairs are effected may, in his discretion, grant an exemption from compliance with such of the provisions of these Regulations as he specifies in order to allow the ship to return to the State from which it came.

Alternative life-saving appliances, &c.

View image in the official source64. Where the Minister is satisfied that, although a life-saving appliance furnished in a ship or provision made in a ship in relation to the safety of life at sea is not in accordance with a requirement of these Regulations, the appliance so furnished or the provision so made in the ship is, nevertheless, as effective as the appliance or provision required by these Regulations, the Minister may exempt the ship from the requirement either unconditionally or subject to conditions.

THE SCHEDULES.

First Schedule.

Regulation 6 (1.).

MOTOR LIFEBOATS AND MECHANICALLY-PROPELLED LIFEBOATS.

Part I.—Class A Motor Lifeboats.

A Class A motor lifeboat shall comply with the following requirements:—

(a) the lifeboat shall be equipped with a compression ignition engine;

(b) the engine shall be capable of being started readily in cold weather and of running reliably in cold weather;

(c) the engine shall operate properly under conditions of at least ten degrees list and ten degrees trim;

(d) the circulating water pumps shall be self-priming;

(e) the engine and its accessories, including the fuel tank, pipes and fittings, shall be adequately protected to ensure reliable operation under conditions likely to arise at sea during heavy weather;

(f) where the lifeboat is made of wood, a metal tray shall be fitted under the engine;

(g) the fuel tank shall be substantially constructed;

(h) no part of the fuel tank or its fittings shall depend on soft solder for tightness;

(i) if the fuel tank is made of steel, it shall be galvanized externally;

(j) the fuel tank and its connexions shall be capable of withstanding hydraulic pressure corresponding to a head of at least fifteen feet;

(k) the fuel tank shall be securely fixed in position and be fitted with suitable filling and relief arrangements;

(l) a metal tray shall be fitted under the fuel tank;

(m) the engine shall be covered in and the casing shall be of steel or shall be fireproofed;

(n) the engine and fuel tank spaces shall be efficiently ventilated;

(o) the shafting and other moving parts of the engine shall be fenced where necessary to protect the persons in the lifeboat from injury;

(p) the speed ahead shall be not less than six knots in smooth water when the lifeboat is loaded with its full complement of persons and equipment;

(q) the engine shall provide sufficient power for going astern;

(r) fuel shall be provided sufficient for twenty-four hours’ continuous operation;

(s) the lifeboat shall be fitted with radiotelegraphy equipment which—

(i) is installed in a cabin large enough to accommodate the equipment and the person using the equipment; and

(ii) complies with the requirements of the Navigation (Radio) Regulations applicable to that equipment;

(t) the engine shall be fitted with a dynamo capable of re-charging all the batteries in the lifeboat;

First Schedule—continued.

(u) the battery which supplies power to the radiotelegraphy equipment shall be separate from any battery used to supply power to the engine starting motor or ignition system; and

(v) if the lifeboat is carried in a Class I. ship, it shall be equipped with a searchlight having—

(i) a lamp of not less than eighty watts;

(ii) an efficient reflector; and

(iii) a source of power capable of enabling the searchlight—

(A) to give effective illumination of a light coloured object having a width of sixty feet at a distance of two hundred yards; and

(B) to operate for a total period of not less than six hours and not less than three consecutive hours.

Part II.—Class B Motor Lifeboats.

A Class B motor lifeboat shall comply with the following requirements:—

(a) the lifeboat shall be fitted with an internal-combustion engine;

(b) the engine shall be capable of being started readily in cold weather and of running reliably in cold weather;

(c) the engine shall operate properly under conditions of at least ten degrees list and ten degrees trim;

(d) the circulating water pumps shall be self-priming;

(e) the engine and its accessories, including the fuel tank, pipes and fittings, shall be protected to ensure reliable operation under conditions likely to arise at sea during heavy weather;

(f) where the lifeboat is made of wood, a metal tray shall be fitted under the engine;

(g) the magneto, carburettor and air inlet of any electric-ignition engine installed in the lifeboat shall be placed as high as possible;

(h) if an electric-ignition engine is installed which is not fitted in a watertight casing, provision shall be made to protect the magneto, sparking plugs and other electric-ignition fittings from the sea;

(i) the fuel tank shall be substantially constructed of suitable material;

(j) no part of the fuel tank or its fittings shall depend on soft solder for tightness;

(k) if the fuel tank is made of steel, it shall be galvanised externally;

(l) the fuel tank and its connexions shall be capable of withstanding hydraulic pressure corresponding to a head of at least fifteen feet;

(m) the fuel tank shall be securely fixed in position and be furnished with suitable filling and relief arrangements;

(n) a metal tray shall be fitted under the fuel tank;

(o) the engine shall be covered in and the casing shall be of steel or be fireproofed;

(p) the engine and fuel-tank spaces shall be efficiently ventilated;

(q) the shafting and other moving parts shall be fenced where necessary to protect the persons in the boat from injury;

(r) the speed ahead shall be not less than four knots in smooth water when the lifeboat is loaded with its full complement of persons and equipment;

(s) the engine shall provide sufficient power for going astern; and

(t) fuel shall be provided sufficient for twenty-four hours’ continuous operation.

Part III.—Mechanically-propelled Lifeboats.

A mechanically-propelled lifeboat shall comply with the following requirements:—

(a) the lifeboat shall be propelled by an approved mechanical gear;

(b) the mechanical propelling gear shall be so arranged that it can rapidly and easily be made ready for service and not interfere with the rapid embarkation of persons;

(c) if manually operated, the mechanical propelling gear shall be capable of being operated by a person untrained in its use;

(d) the mechanical propelling gear shall be capable of being operated when the lifeboat is flooded;

(e) the mechanical propelling gear shall be effective in propelling the lifeboat ahead and astern when the lifeboat is partially or fully loaded;

First Schedule—continued.

(f) the mechanical propelling gear shall be of sufficient power to enable the lifeboat to be propelled at a speed ahead of three and one-half knots over a distance of one-quarter of a mile in smooth water;

(g) the mechanical propelling gear shall be capable of being operated, without adjustment, by persons of different stature; and

(h) the mechanical propelling gear shall be substantially constructed and fitted to the lifeboat in an efficient manner.

View image in the official sourceSecond Schedule.

Regulations 12 (1.) and 13 (4.).

LIFEBOATS—CONSTRUCTION AND CAPACITY.

Part I.—Buoyancy.

1. A lifeboat shall be an open boat with rigid sides with a mean sheer at least equal to four per centum of its length.

2. A lifeboat shall have buoyancy appliances fitted internally only.

3. The buoyancy appliances of a lifeboat shall consist of watertight air cases which shall be so placed as to secure stability under various weather conditions when the lifeboat is fully laden.

4. The watertight air cases shall be constructed of copper or yellow metal of not less than eighteen ounces to the superficial foot, or of other approved material.

5. The total volume of the watertight air cases in a wooden lifeboat, not being a Class A or Class B motor lifeboat or a mechanically-propelled lifeboat, shall be at least equal to one-tenth of the cubic capacity of the lifeboat.

6. In a metal lifeboat, the total volume of the watertight air cases shall be such as to give the lifeboat a buoyancy at least equal to the buoyancy obtained by a wooden lifeboat having the same cubic capacity when fitted with watertight air cases having a volume equal to one-tenth of the cubic capacity of the lifeboat.

7. In the case of a Class A or Class B motor lifeboat the total volume of watertight air cases shall be increased to such an extent as is necessary to compensate for the difference between—

(a) the weight of the motor and its accessories and, if carried, the searchlight and the radiotelegraphy equipment and their accessories; and

(b) the weight of the additional persons which the lifeboat could accommodate if the motor and its accessories and, if carried, the searchlight and the radiotelegraphy equipment and their accessories were removed.

8. In the case of a mechanically-propelled lifeboat, the total volume of the watertight air cases shall be increased to such extent as is necessary to compensate for the weight of the propelling gear.

9. In the case of a lifeboat which accommodates not less than one hundred persons, the total volume of the watertight air cases shall be increased to such extent as will ensure the seaworthiness of the lifeboat.

Part II.—Capacity.

1. Subject to the provisions of paragraph 6 of this Part, the cubic capacity of a lifeboat for the purposes of these Regulations shall be measured in cubic feet and shall be determined by Stirling’s (Simpson’s) Rule, that is to say, by the following formula:—

Cubic Capacity View image in the official source (4A + 2B + 4C), where—

(a) L denotes the length of the boat in feet from the inside of the planking or plating at the stem to the corresponding point at the stern post or, in the case of a boat with a square stern, to the, inside of the transom; and

(b) A, B, C denote, respectively, the areas of the cross-sections at the quarter length forward, amidships, and the quarter length aft, which correspond to the three points obtained by dividing L into four equal parts (for this purpose the areas corresponding to the two ends of the boat being considered negligible).

Second Schedule—continued.

2. For the purposes of the last preceding paragraph, the areas A, B, C shall be deemed to be given in square feet by the successive application of the following formula to each of the three cross-sections:—

Area View image in the official source (a + 4b + 2c + 4d + e), where—

(a) h denotes—

(i) the depth measured in feet inside the planking or plating from the keel to the level of the gunwale; or

(ii) the depth ascertained in accordance with paragraph 4 or 5 of this Part, as the case requires; and

(b) a, b, c, d and e denote the horizontal breadths of the boat measured in feet inside the planking or plating at the upper and lower points of the depth and at the three points obtained by dividing h into four equal parts (a and e being the breadths at the extreme points, and c at the middle point of h).

3. For the purposes of this Part, the capacity of a square-sterned boat shall be calculated as if the boat had a pointed stern.

4. If the sheer of the gunwale, measured at the two points situated at a quarter of the length of the boat from the ends, exceeds one per centum of the length of the boat, the depth employed in calculating the area A or C shall be deemed to be the depth amidships plus one per centum of the length of the lifeboat.

5. If the depth of the boat amidships exceeds forty-five per centum of the breadth, the depth employed in calculating the area of the amidship cross-section B shall be deemed to be equal to forty-five per centum of the breadth, and the depth employed in calculating the area A or C is obtained by increasing this last figure by an amount equal to one per centum of the length of the boat, but so that in no case shall the depth employed in the calculation exceed the actual depth at area A or C, as the case may be.

6. Unless the owner of the lifeboat requires the cubic capacity to be determined by exact measurement, the cubic capacity may be assumed, for the purposes of this Part, to be the product of the length, the breadth and the depth multiplied by 0.6, as long as this formula does not give a greater capacity than that obtained by the formula set out in paragraph 1 of this Part.

7. The dimensions for the purposes of the last preceding paragraph shall be measured in the following manner:—

(a) Length—from the intersection of the outside of the planking with the stem to the corresponding point at the stern post, or in the case of a square-sterned boat, to the after side of the transom;

(b) Breadth—from the outside of the planking at the point where the breadth of the boat is greatest;

(c) Depth—amidships inside the planking from the keel to the level of the gunwale.

8. For the purposes of paragraph 6 of this Part, the depth used in calculating the cubic capacity, if it exceeds forty-five per centum of the breadth, shall be deemed to be equal to forty-five per centum of the breadth.

9. For the purposes of this Part, the cubic capacity of a Class A or Class B motor lifeboat is the cubic capacity obtained in accordance with this Part after deducting from the gross capacity a volume equal to that occupied by the motor and its accessories, and, when carried, the searchlight and radiotelegraphy equipment and their accessories.

View image in the official sourceThird Schedule.

Regulation 14.

Part I.—Lifeboat Equipment.

1. A lifeboat shall be equipped with—

(a) a single-banked complement of oars, and two spare oars and a steering oar;

(b) one set and a half of crutches or thole-pins, attached to the lifeboat by lanyards or chains;

(c) a boat hook or, in the case of a Class A or Class B motor lifeboat or a mechanically-propelled lifeboat two boat hooks;

(d) two plugs for each plug-hole (except where approved automatic valves are fitted), attached to the lifeboat by lanyards or chains;

(e) a bailer and two galvanised iron buckets;

(f) a rudder attached to the lifeboat and a tiller;

(g) two hatchets, one at each end of the lifeboat;

(h) a lamp with oil sufficient for twelve hours;

(i) a watertight box containing two boxes of matches of a type that are not readily extinguishable by wind;

(j) a mast or masts with galvanised wire stays, together with orange-coloured sails, which shall be marked for identification purposes with the first and last letters of the name of the ship to which the lifeboat belongs;

(k) a compass in a binnacle that complies with the requirements prescribed by Part III. of this Schedule;

(l) a sea anchor that complies with the requirements prescribed by Part IV. of this Schedule;

(m) two parachute distress rockets that comply with the requirement prescribed by Part V. of this Schedule;

(n) six hand flares that comply with the requirements prescribed by Part VI. of this Schedule;

(o) two buoyant smoke signals that comply with the requirements prescribed by Part VII. of this Schedule;

(p) a first-aid outfit containing the articles prescribed by Part VIII. of this Schedule;

(q) an electric torch suitable for morse signalling, together with two spare batteries and two spare bulbs;

(r) a daylight-signalling mirror;

(s) a jack-knife, fitted with a tin opener, attached to the lifeboat with a lanyard;

(r) two buoyant heaving lines; and

(u) a manual pump that complies with the requirements prescribed by Part IX. of this Schedule.

2. A lifeboat shall also be equipped with—

(a) a lifeline becketed around the outside;

(b) a locker suitable for stowage of small items of equipment;

(c) two painters of sufficient length and size, one of which shall be secured to the forward end of the lifeboat with strop and toggle so that it can be released, the other being firmly secured to the stem of the lifeboat and ready for use;

(d) a vessel containing one gallon of animal, fish or vegetable oil with provision to enable the oil to be easily distributed on the water from the boat or the hawser of the sea anchor; and

(e) bilge keels or keel rails, together with grablines secured from gunwale to gunwale under the keel, to enable persons to cling to the lifeboat if it is upturned.

3. A Class A or Class B motor lifeboat or a mechanically-propelled lifeboat is not required to carry a mast or sails or more than half the complement of oars.

4. For the purposes of quenching oil fires, a Class A or Class B motor lifeboat shall carry—

(a) two portable fire extinguishers capable of discharging froth or another substance suitable for quenching oil fires; and

(b) a receptacle containing a sufficient quantity of sand and a scoop for distributing the sand.

Part II.—Lifeboat Rations.

1. A lifeboat shall carry at all times, when in a ship, approved rations, being not less than the following, for each person that the lifeboat is deemed fit to carry—

(a) three quarts of fresh water;

(b) sixteen ounces of biscuits;

(c) sixteen ounces of barley sugar; and

(d) sixteen ounces of milk tablets.

2. The water shall be kept in the lifeboat in watertight containers, and one dipper, attached to the watertight container by a lanyard, and three rust-proof drinking vessels (one graduated in half, one and two ounces), shall be provided.

3. The food shall be packed in air-tight lacquered tins and stowed in suitable watertight containers.

4. The tins in which the food is packed shall be clearly marked to indicate—

(a) the type of food;

(b) the maker’s name;

(c) the net weight of the contents; and

(d) the date of packing.

Part III.—Lifeboat Compasses.

1. A lifeboat compass shall be of the liquid type and the liquid used shall be a clear mixture of industrial methylated spirit and water, with a specific gravity of 0.93 at sixty degrees Fahrenheit and shall be free from sediment, cloudiness and dirt.

2. The compass shall be capable of functioning efficiently over a temperature range of minus ten degrees Fahrenheit to plus one hundred and twenty degrees Fahrenheit.

3. The magnet of the compass shall have ample directive force with a period equivalent to a period of between fourteen and eighteen seconds after a deflection of forty degrees in a horizontal magnetic field of 0.25 C.G.S. units of intensity at a temperature of sixty degrees Fahrenheit. For the purposes of this paragraph, a “period” is the time taken by a complete oscillation of the card, a swing past the position of rest, and back again to the completion of its swing on the side to which it was originally deflected.

4. Over a range of minus ten degrees Fahrenheit to plus one hundred and twenty degrees Fahrenheit, the card system of the compass when immersed in the compass liquid shall rest on the pivot with a weight between four and ten grammes.

5. The card of the compass shall be not less than four inches in diameter and shall have a clearance from the compass bowl of at least one quarter of an inch.

6. The card of the compass shall be marked to half points, the eight principal points being distinctively marked and luminised.

7. The centre of the card of the compass shall be of sapphire or an equally hard jewel, and shall be removable from the float.

8. The pivot of the compass shall be of iridium or an equally-suitable hard material.

9. The arrangements made to allow for the expansion and contraction of the liquid in the compass shall enable the compass to withstand a temperature range of minus ten degrees Fahrenheit to plus one hundred and twenty degrees Fahrenheit without leakage, formation of bubbles or other defects.

10. The compass bowl shall be—

(a) adequately weighted and properly poised in the gimbals which shall give a fore and aft and thwartship action; and

(b) placed in a binnacle or box of non-magnetic material with the lubber line or point luminised.

11. The gimballing shall be in the same horizontal plane as the point of suspension of the card and the outer gimbal pins shall be placed fore and aft.

12. The card system of the compass shall remain free when the bowl is tilted by ten degrees.

13. The direction of the lubber line or point from the centre of the card of the compass shall lie in the same vertical plane as the outer gimbal axis or other fore and aft datum line.

14. The cumulative effect of card, pivot, directional and other similar errors, and of inaccurate positioning of the lubber’s point, shall be such that in the undisturbed earth’s field the direction as read on the card against the lubber’s point shall not differ by more than three degrees from the magnetic direction of the outer gimbal axis or other fore and aft datum line for any direction of the latter.

15. The binnacle shall be fitted with an efficient lamp which shall illuminate the card and lubber line or point.

16. The minimum thickness of the metal used in the construction of the compass shall be as follows:—

17. The compass bowl shall be efficiently stiffened to take gimbal pins.

18. The gimbal pins shall be of naval brass or other hard non-magnetic material of one-quarter of an inch diameter and the gimbal pins and the bearings in which they engage shall be perfectly smooth.

19. The binnacle shell shall be swaged or spun into the base ring and soldered all round.

20. The gimbal ring shall be of naval brass or other rigid non-magnetic metal three-eighths of an inch by one-eighth of an inch.

21. The paint inside the compass bowl shall show no sign of blistering.

22. The materials and workmanship of the compass shall be good throughout and the compass shall be such as will remain efficient under sea-going conditions.

23. The compass bowl shall be engraved or stamped with the maker’s name or other identification mark.

Part IV.—Lifeboat Sea Anchors.

1. A sea anchor shall be constructed of No. 1 best flax canvas, or other suitable material, which shall be strongly sewn together and roped at the seams with one and three-quarter inch bolt rope, the ropes then being formed into a bridle with a thimble seized in the connecting end, and the rope extended and seized into a parcelled loop to form the attachment for the tripping line.

2. A hawser equal in length to three times the lifeboat’s length shall be attached to the sea anchor by means of a shackle of suitable size to take the thimble.

3. A tripping line two fathoms longer than the hawser shall be provided.

4. A circular sea anchor shall be fitted at the mouth with a galvanised iron hoop and any other type of sea anchor shall be fitted with a galvanised iron spreader on the lower edge of the mouth and with an ash spreader on the upper edge of the mouth.

5. For lifeboats not exceeding twenty-two feet in length—

(a) the mouth of the sea anchor shall be twenty-four inches in diameter in the case of a circular sea anchor and twenty-one and one-half inches each side in the case of a non-circular folding sea anchor;

(b) the length of the canvas bag shall be three feet six inches;

(c) the circumference of the hawser shall be two and one-half inches; and

(d) the circumference of the tripping line shall be one and one-half inches.

6. For lifeboats exceeding twenty-two feet in length but not exceeding thirty feet in length—

(a) the mouth of the sea anchor shall be twenty-seven inches in diameter in the case of a circular sea anchor and twenty-four inches each side in the case of a non-circular folding sea anchor;

(b) the length of the canvas bag shall be four feet;

(c) the circumference of the hawser shall be three inches; and

(d) the circumference of the tripping line shall be two inches.

7. For lifeboats exceeding thirty feet in length—

(a) the sea anchor shall be of the non-circular folding type and the mouth shall be thirty inches at the upper edge, twenty-seven inches at the lower edge and twenty-seven inches on each side with an area seven hundred and seventy square inches;

(b) the length of the canvas bag shall be four feet six inches;

(c) the circumference of the hawser shall be three inches; and

(d) the circumference of the tripping line shall be two inches.

Part V.—Lifeboat Parachute Distress Rockets.

1. A lifeboat parachute distress rocket shall be designed to give a signal consisting of a single bright red star which is projected to the required height by means of the rocket, and which burns while falling, its rate of fall being controlled by means of a small parachute to fifteen feet per second.

2. The rocket shall be fitted with a self-contained means of ignition so designed as to enable the rocket to operate from the hand-held position and to be discharged from a lifeboat without harm to the occupants.

3. The rocket shall be so designed that—

(a) when the rocket is fired approximately vertically, the star and parachute are ejected at or before the top of the trajectory, at a minimum height of six hundred feet;

(b) it is also capable of functioning when fired at an angle of forty-five degrees to the horizontal; and

(c) the star burns with a minimum luminosity of ten thousand candle power for not less than thirty seconds and burns out at a height of not less than one hundred and fifty feet from the sea level.

4. The parachute shall be of such a size as to provide the required control of the rate of fall of the burning star and shall be attached to the star by means of a flexible fireproof harness.

5. The rocket shall be waterproofed and capable of functioning satisfactorily after immersion in water for one minute.

6. All components, compositions and ingredients of the rocket shall be of such a character and of such a quality as to enable the rocket to maintain its serviceability under good average storage conditions for a period of at least two years.

7. The rocket shall be packed in a hermetically sealed container.

8. The date on which the rocket is filled shall be stamped indelibly on the rocket and on the container.

Part VI.—Lifeboat Hand Flares.

1. A lifeboat hand flare shall be fitted with a self-contained means of ignition so designed as to operate from a hand-held position without external aid and such as to enable the flare to be displayed from a lifeboat or inflatable liferaft without harm to the occupants.

2. Where the flare is carried in an inflatable liferaft, it shall be so constructed that the burning composition is contained in a metal container.

3. The flare shall be capable of emitting a red light of a minimum luminosity of fifteen thousand candle power for not less than fifty-five seconds.

4. The flare shall be waterproofed and capable of functioning satisfactorily after immersion in water for one minute.

5. All components, compositions and ingredients, shall be of such a character and of such a quality as to burn evenly and as to enable the flare to maintain its serviceability under good average storage conditions for a period of at least two years,

6. The flare shall be stamped indelibly with the date on which it is filled.

7. Clear and concise directions for use shall be printed indelibly on the flare.

Part VII.—Lifeboat Buoyant Smoke Signals.

1. A lifeboat buoyant smoke signal shall be fitted with a self-contained means of ignition.

2. The smoke signal shall be capable, while floating on the water, of emitting a dense volume of orange-coloured smoke for a period of not less than two minutes and not more than four minutes.

3. The weight of the composition contained in the smoke signal shall be at least twenty ounces.

4. The smoke signal shall be waterproofed and capable of functioning, satisfactorily after immersion in water for one minute.

5. All components, compositions and ingredients, shall be of such a character and of such a quality as to burn evenly and as to enable the signal to maintain its serviceability under good average storage conditions for a period of at least two years.

6. The smoke signal shall be stamped indelibly with the date on which it is filled.

7. Clear and concise directions for use shall be printed indelibly on the signal.

Part VIII.—Lifeboat First-Aid Outfits.

1. The contents of every lifeboat first-aid outfit shall comply with the standards and requirements of the British Pharmacopoeia or the British Pharmaceutical. Codex, where such standards are applicable, and shall include the following articles:—

(a) one tin of six collapse revivers;

(b) twenty-five codeine compound tablets (Tab. Codeine Co.);

(c) six ampoule syringes containing a solution of either a morphine salt equivalent to anhydrous morphine one-quarter grain in one cubic centimetre or Papaveretum one-half grain in one cubic centimetre, such as “Omnopon”;

(d) two first-aid field dressings or standard dressings No. 14;

(e) two shell dressings or standard dressings No. 15;

(f) two packets of elastic adhesive dressings, measuring two inches by three inches, having three dressings in each packet;

(g) five compressed triangular bandages with not less than thirty-eight inch sides and a fifty-four inch base;

(h) three rolls of compressed white absorbent gauze measuring thirty-six inches by ninety inches;

(i) four compressed roller bandages measuring two and one-half inches by one hundred and forty-four inches;

(j) one bandage of unbleached calico measuring six inches by two hundred and sixteen inches;

(k) one four-ounce packet of compressed cotton wool;

(l) six safety pins of rustless and stainless metal;

(m) one one-ounce tube of soft paraffin;

(n) one pair of four inch scissors, with one sharp and one blunt point, of rustless and stainless metal;

(o) one capsule of silica gel;

(p) instructions for the use of the first-aid outfit printed on linen.

2. The container for the lifeboat first-aid outfit shall comply with the following requirements:—

(a) the container shall be made of a metal of a strength sufficient to withstand hard wear under conditions met with at sea;

(b) a handle shall be fitted to the lid;

(c) the container shall be hermetically sealed, made damp-proof and sealed with a piece of wire soldered to the lid and the body of the container to indicate that the contents are intact;

(d) the container shall be packed in a room from which atmospheric moisture has been removed as far as possible;

(e) the container shall be well tinned and lacquered;

(f) an itemised list of its contents shall be given on the outside of the container.

Part IX.—Lifeboat Manual Pumps.

Lifeboat manual pumps shall comply with the following requirements:—

(a) the capacity of the pumps when operated at not more than sixty double strokes per minute, at four feet suction head, shall be not less than—

(i) five gallons per minute in lifeboats less than twenty-four feet in length; and

(ii) seven gallons per minute in lifeboats not less than twenty-four feet in length;

(b) in their normal dry state (excluding internal grease or other assistance) the pumps shall be readily self-priming when operated on a suction head of not less than four feet;

(c) all parts of the pumps shall be of non-corrodible material, unaffected by sea water;

(d) the interior of the pumps, including valves, shall be readily accessible for emergency cleaning, and the covers for access shall be capable of being easily removed without the use of a spanner or other special tool; and

(e) the pump branches shall be suitable for use with rubber hose connexions of one and one-quarter inches bore and the metal part of the operating handles shall be suitably sheathed by material other than wood so as to protect the hands of the operator when the pump is used in extreme cold; the spindle glands shall be of the spring-loaded seal-ring type.

View image in the official sourceFourth Schedule.

Regulation 18 (5.).

LIFEBOAT DISENGAGING GEAR.

1. Lifeboat disengaging gear shall be so arranged as to ensure simultaneous release of both ends of the lifeboat.

2. The means of effecting release shall be placed aft.

3. The gear shall be of a type which will permit the release of the lifeboat only when it is waterborne.

Fourth Schedule—continued.

4. The gear shall be of a type which will permit release should there be a towing strain on the link or falls.

5. The hooks shall be suitable for instant unhooking by hand.

6. The point of attachment of the hook to the eye, ring or link of the block shall not be lower than when ordinary fixed hooks are fitted.

7 The gear and mechanism for effecting release shall be so constructed and arranged as to ensure the safety of the lifeboat independently of any safety pins.

8. The means for effecting release shall be by hauling on or letting go a line or by using a lever.

9. Where release is effected by a pull upon a line, the line shall be properly cased in.

10. Rods or other connexions between hooks shall also be cased in whenever this is necessary for the safety or the efficient action of the gear or for the protection of persons from injury.

11. The fairleads shall be properly arranged to prevent the lines from jamming or nipping, and shall be strongly attached to permanent parts of the lifeboat.

12. The lines shall be fitted with chains where necessary for efficiency.

13. Parts of the gear which, if made of corrodible metal, would be likely to be set fast by rust or corrosion shall be made of non-corrodible metal.

14. No part of the gear taking the weight of the lifeboat shall be made of cast metal.

15. The scantlings and proportions of all parts which support the weight of the lifeboat shall be designed to provide a breaking strength proportionate to a load of at least two and one-half times the weight of the heaviest-loaded lifeboat in which the gear is intended to be fitted.

View image in the official sourceFifth Schedule

TABLE.

Regulation 22.

Sixth Schedule.

Regulation 26.

DAVITS AND LIFEBOAT LAUNCHING GEAR.

Part I.—Construction.

1. In this Part, “working load”, in relation to davits, means—

(a) the sum of the weight of the lifeboat attached to the davits and the weights of the equipment, the blocks and fails and the number of persons that the lifeboat is certified to carry (the weight of each such person being taken to be 165 pounds); or

(b) if another lifeboat is served by the same pair of davits, the maximum load that may be imposed on the davits at any time.

2. The operating gear of luffing-type davits shall be of sufficient power to ensure that the lifeboats when fully equipped and manned with the launching crew, but not loaded with other persons, can be turned out when the ship is listed at least fifteen degrees either way.

3.—(1.) In the case of gravity-type davits comprising arms mounted on rollers which engage with and travel down fixed inclined trackways, the trackways shall be inclined at an angle of not less than thirty degrees to the horizontal when the vessel is upright.

(2.) Gravity-type davits of types other than the type referred to in the last preceding sub-paragraph shall be so designed that there is a positive turning-out moment during the whole of the davit travel from the inboard to the outboard position when the vessel is listed up to twenty-five degrees either way,

(3.) Where gravity-type davits are fitted with electric motors for recovering the lifeboats, automatic cut-outs shall be fitted and arranged to operate before the davits come against the runway stops in order to avoid overstressing the wire-rope falls or davits.

4. The designed stress on the davit arms, when operating under maximum load and conditions of list, shall afford an adequate factor of safety, having regard to the quality of the material used, the method of construction, and the live nature of the load to which the davits are subjected.

5. In the case of all davits made of cast steel, or of wrought steel or other material fabricated by a welding process, the davits with their arms at full outreach shall be capable of withstanding a static-load test of not less than two and two-tenths times the working load.

6. The attachments at the davit head from which the blocks are suspended shall be capable of withstanding a proof-load test of not less than two and one-half times the working load.

7. Lifeboat blocks shall comply with the following requirements:—

(a) in the case of metal blocks, the material used shall be of ductile quality and adequate strength;

(b) no part of gear intended to bear the weight of a lifeboat shall be constructed of cast metal unless the Director in the case of a particular ship so approves;

(c) metal blocks shall be capable of withstanding a proof-load test of not less than two and one-half times the working load on the davits; and

(d) the width between the cheeks of the blocks in which cordage rope is used shall be half an inch greater than the diameter of new cordage ropes when those ropes are three and three-quarter inches in circumference, and less in proportion to the circumference of the ropes when the ropes are smaller.

8.—(1.) The breaking tensile load of wire ropes used for lowering boats from davits shall be not less than six times the working load.

(2.) Wire ropes shall be securely attached to the drum of the winch, and the end attachments of the wires and other parts from which the lifeboat is to be suspended shall be capable of withstanding a proof-load test of not less than two and one-half times the working load.

(3.) Where wire splices are used they shall be capable of withstanding a proof-load test of not less than two and one-half times the working load, unless sample splices of each size of wire when tested to destruction give a factor of safety at the splice of not less than five times the working load.

9.—(1.) Winch drums shall be arranged to keep the two falls separate and to enable them to be paid out at the same rate.

(2.) The leads of the wire ropes shall be such that they will wind evenly on the drums.

(3.) Lead blocks shall be arranged at least seven feet from the winch drums.

(4.) The brakes of the lifeboat winches shall comply with the following requirements:—

(a) the brakes shall be of robust construction and afford complete control and limitation of speed in the operation of lowering;

(b) the hand brake shall be so arranged that it is normally in the “ON” position and returns to the “ON” position when the control handle is not being operated;

(c) the weight on the brake lever shall be sufficient to operate the brake effectively without additional pressure;

(d) the brake gear shall include means for automatically controlling the speed of lowering to ensure that the boat is lowered expeditiously without exceeding a rate of lowering consistent with safety and, for this purpose, the automatic brake shall be set to give a speed of lowering of the lifeboat of between sixty and one hundred and twenty feet per minute;

(e) ratchet gear shall be incorporated in the hand-brake mechanism of lifeboat winches;

(f) where practicable the brake gear shall be so situated as to enable the man operating the winch to have the lifeboat under observation during the whole process of its being launched into the water.

(5.) When more than one lifeboat is served by the same wire falls, the winches shall be fitted with quick-return hand gear to enable the falls to be rapidly recovered, and the lower blocks when fitted, shall be non-toppling, with, where necessary, provision to prevent the falls from cabling.

10.—(1.) Cordage ropes used for falls shall be durable, unkinkable, firm laid and pliable and able to pass freely under any conditions through a hole three-eights of an inch larger than the nominal diameter of the rope.

(2.) The breaking loads of cordage rope shall be not less than the breaking load specified in relation to the size of the rope, or the size and quality of the rope, in the following table:—

(3.) Cordage ropes of a size of less than two and one-half inches shall not be used for lifeboat falls.

(4.) Winding reels or flaking boxes for the falls shall be provided.

(5.) Where cordage rope falls are used to serve two lifeboats stowed one above another under one pair of davits, the following requirements shall be complied with:—

(a) a separate set of blocks and falls shall be provided for each lifeboat;

(b) the falls for the first lifeboat to be launched shall be attached to the davits and to the lifeboat ready for service;

(c) the falls for the second lifeboat to be launched shall be kept in position attached to the davits;

(d) the falls for the second lifeboat to be launched need not be attached to the lifeboat, if the lower blocks are taken to suitable bolts on deck or to strops on the davit or are otherwise arranged in such a manner that the falls will not interfere with the launching of the first lifeboat and will be immediately available for attachment to the second lifeboat,

11. Wood blocks for lifeboats of standard proportions shall comply with the following table:—

* T=Triple sheaves. D=Double sheaves.

† Ordinary quality breaking load 2.2 tons.

12.—(1.) Subject to the next succeeding paragraph, suitable bollards or other equally effective appliances for lowering lifeboats shall be provided in all cases where cordage rope falls are used.

(2.) For lifeboats not exceeding twenty feet in length, horn cleats attached to the davits may be fitted in lieu of bollards.

(3.) For lifeboats over twenty feet but not exceeding twenty-five feet in length, a double bollard may be fixed to each davit.

(4.) For lifeboats over twenty-five feet in length, bollards of the cruciform type shall be attached to the deck, and in the case of lifeboats not over twenty-seven feet in length, the horizontal arms shall be not less than five inches in diameter and sufficiently long to take at least four turns of the largest rope with which they will be used.

(5.) In the case of lifeboats over twenty-seven feet in length, the arms shall be six inches in diameter and not less than six inches in length from the side of the column.

(6.) Ample lips or flanges shall be provided at the ends of the arms of bollards to prevent the fall from jumping off.

(7.) Fairleads shall be fitted and be arranged so as to ensure that the lifeboat is not lifted during the process of swinging out.

13. Davits, falls and blocks and other launching gear shall be of sufficient strength so that the lifeboats can be safely lowered when fully loaded with persons and equipment with the ship listed to fifteen degrees either way.

Part II.—Lowering Tests.

1. Each pair of davits, and, where fitted, the lifeboat winches (including their hand and automatic brakes), shall be capable of withstanding the following test:—

(a) if not more than one lifeboat is suspended from the davits when in the outboard position, the lifeboat at each set of davits shall be lowered from the embarkation deck to the water loaded with the usual equipment and a distributed weight equal to the full number of persons which it is designed to carry together with a weight equal to ten per centum of that total load, including blocks and falls; or

(b) if two lifeboats are suspended from the davits when in the outboard position, the heavier lifeboat loaded as indicated in the last preceding paragraph shall be lowered from the embarkation deck to the water while the other lifeboat, with its blocks and falls and loaded with the usual equipment together with a weight equal to ten per centum of the weight of the lifeboat and its equipment, blocks and falls, is suspended from the davits.

2. Winch brakes exposed to the weather shall be capable of withstanding the test with the braking surface wetted.

View image in the official sourceSeventh Schedule.

Regulation 28.

BUOYANT APPARATUS.

1. Buoyant apparatus shall be capable of withstanding a drop test, the height of which shall be equivalent to that of the deck on which it is stowed above the ship’s light water line, but in no case less than sixty feet.

2. The framework of buoyant apparatus shall be of hardwood, but the wood casing or sparring may be of softwood.

3. The method of securing the corners of the buoyant apparatus shall be such as to avoid fastenings into end-grain timber.

4. The interior of the buoyant apparatus shall be well ventilated and there shall be no projection from the apparatus which would prevent it from sliding easily over a ship’s rail during launching.

5. Grab lines shall be fitted all round the buoyant apparatus in such a manner as to provide a number of equal loops corresponding to the number of persons the apparatus is designed to carry, each loop having a cork or light wood float, and the depth of the loop when wet shall not be less than six inches and not more than eight inches.

6. On buoyant apparatus exceeding twelve inches in overall depth, two rows of grab lines shall be fitted, one having its points of attachment a little below the top of the air cases and the other a little above the bottom of the air cases and as close to the sides of the air cases as is practicable.

7. On apparatus of twelve inches or less in overall depth, one row of grab lines may be attached along the line of the middle of the depth.

8. The grab lines shall be of rope of not less than one and three-quarter inches in circumference.

9. The grab lines shall be attached to the buoyant apparatus by being passed through holes in the framing and being interlaced to prevent movement, or they shall be attached to the apparatus by means of wrought iron or steel fastenings.

10. The attachment of the grab lines to the buoyant apparatus shall be strong enough to permit the buoyant apparatus being lifted by the grab lines.

11. Buoyant apparatus shall not exceed four hundred pounds in weight unless suitable means are provided to enable it to be launched without lifting by hand and where the weight of the apparatus exceeds three hundred pounds, suitable handles or rungs shall be fitted for this purpose,

12. Buoyant apparatus shall be effective and stable when floating either way up.

13. Buoyant apparatus shall be capable of supporting a weight of iron, suspended in fresh water from the grab lines, of fifteen pounds per foot of length along any edge, or of sixty-four pounds, whichever is the greater weight, without immersing any part of the upper surface of the apparatus.

14. The air cases or equivalent means of buoyancy shall be placed as near as possible to the sides of the buoyant apparatus.

15. The buoyancy of buoyant apparatus shall not be dependent upon inflation.

16. Where the buoyancy is provided by metal air cases, the air cases shall be of copper, yellow metal or other durable material not more than four feet in length.

17. Where the air cases are more than two feet six inches in length or breadth they shall be efficiently stiffened by divisions or stays.

Seventh Schedule—continued.

18. The air cases shall not be pierced for the attachment of wood divisions or stays.

19. The air cases shall be protected from damage by properly-fitted wood casing or sparring and be secured against movement within the casing.

20. No iron work shall be placed in contact with metal air cases.

21. Buoyant apparatus shall be fitted with a rope painter not less than two inches in circumference and not less than fifteen fathoms in length that is connected to the buoyant apparatus by a bowline.

22. Buoyant apparatus carried in a Class I. ship shall not be less than three feet six inches in breadth.

View image in the official sourceEighth Schedule.

Regulations 31 and 32.

INFLATABLE LIFERAFTS.

Part I.—Construction.

The requirements with which an inflatable liferaft shall comply are as follows:—

(a) the liferaft shall be contained in a valise or other container so constructed as to be capable of withstanding hard wear under conditions met with at sea;

(b) the liferaft shall be so constructed that if it is thrown from the ship into the water it will not be damaged;

(c) the inflation of the liferaft shall take place automatically either on the pulling of a line or by some other equally simple and efficient method;

(d) the liferaft shall be fitted with a painter and shall have a line securely becketed round the outside;

(e) the liferaft shall be capable of being readily righted if it inflates in an inverted position;

(f) the liferaft shall be fitted with a cover which shall be capable of protecting the occupants against injury from exposure with provision to enable the collection of rain water precipitated on the cover, and the top of the cover shall be fitted with a lamp which derives its luminosity from a sea-activated cell;

(g) when inflated and floating with the cover uppermost the liferaft shall be stable in a seaway;

(h) the liferaft shall be capable when inflated of supporting out of the water and under cover the maximum number of persons which it is deemed fit to carry;

(i) the liferaft shall be fitted with efficient means to enable persons in the water to climb on board;

(j) the liferaft shall be so constructed as to afford sufficient room for comfortable seating for the maximum number of persons it is deemed fit to carry;

(k) the buoyancy of the liferaft shall be so arranged as to ensure, by a division into two separate compartments each capable of supporting out of the water the maximum number of persons that the liferaft is deemed fit to carry, or by some other equally efficient means, that there is a reasonable margin of buoyancy if the raft is damaged or partially fails to inflate; and

(l) the floor of the liferaft shall be waterproof and shall be capable of being sufficiently insulated against cold either—

(i) by means of one or more compartments which the occupants can inflate if they so desire, or which inflate automatically but can be deflated and, if necessary, re-inflated by the occupants; or

(ii) by other equally efficient means not dependent on inflation.

Part II.—Equipment.

An inflatable liferaft shall be equipped with—

(a) two sea anchors, one being permanently attached to the liferaft and one being a spare sea anchor with a line attached;

(b) one bailer, one sponge and one safety-knife;

(c) one topping-up pump or bellows;

(d) one repair kit capable of repairing punctures in the buoyancy compartments;

Eighth Schedule—continued.

(e) one rescue quoit attached to at least one hundred feet of line;

(f) two paddles;

(g) two parachute distress rockets that comply with the requirements prescribed by Part V. of the Third Schedule;

(h) six hand flares that comply with the requirements prescribed by Part VI. of the Third Schedule;

(i) one waterproof electric torch suitable for morse-signalling, together with one spare set of batteries and one spare bulb in a waterproof container;

(j) one daylight-signalling mirror and one signalling whistle;

(k) one fishing line and six hooks;

(l) twelve ounces of a suitable non-thirst-provoking food providing at least two thousand four hundred calories per pound weight and six ounces of barley sugar or other equally suitable sweets for each person of the number of persons that the liferaft is designed to carry;

(m) three rustproof containers containing one pound weight of fresh water for each person of the number of persons that the liferaft is designed to carry;

(n) one rustproof graduated drinking vessel, graduated in one-half, one and two ounces;

(o) three safety tin-openers;

(p) six seasickness tablets for each person of the number of persons that the liferaft is designed to carry;

(q) a first-aid outfit that complies with the standards and requirements of the British Pharmacopoeia or the British Pharmaceutical Codex, where such standards are applicable, and that includes the following articles:—

(i) four medium standard dressings No. 14;

(ii) four standard dressings No. 15;

(iii) four compressed triangular bandages with not less than thirty-eight inch sides and a fifty-four inch base;

(iv) ten open-wove bandages measuring three inches by one hundred and forty-four inches;

(v) two fifty-gramme tubes of antiseptic burn or wound cream, each containing 0.5 per centum of Cetrimide;

(vi) one pair of four inch scissors, with one sharp and one blunt point, of rustless and stainless metal;

(vii) six ampoule syringes containing a solution of either a morphine salt equivalent to anhydrous morphine one-quarter grain in one cubic centimetre or Papaveretum one-half grain in one cubic centimetre such as “Omnopon”, in a screw-capped metal drum with directions for use with each syringe also being packed in a small sealed tin with directions for use;

(viii) instructions for the use of the first-aid outfit printed on linen; and

View image in the official source(r) instructions printed in the English language on how to survive in the liferaft.

Ninth Schedule.

Regulation 36.

LIFEBUOYS.

1. A lifebuoy shall be constructed of cork evenly formed and securely pugged, or of other equally-efficient buoyant material.

2. A lifebuoy shall be capable of floating in fresh water for not less than twenty-four hours with thirty-two pounds of iron suspended from it.

3. The inside diameter of a lifebuoy shall be eighteen inches and the outside diameter thirty inches with—

(a) the major axis of the section being six inches; and

(b) the minor axis of the section being four inches.

4. The buoyant material shall be covered with good quality material, the sewing of which shall be carried out with thread of not less strength than No. 25A cord.

5. The lifebuoy shall be well coated with paint.

6. The grab lines shall be of good quality unkinkable line, well secured to the cover by sewing or seizing, and, in addition, by bands of a double thickness of the covering material three inches wide around the section of the lifebuoy at four equidistant points, providing four loops of line each not less than two feet four inches long.

7. The weight of a lifebuoy shall not exceed thirteen and a half pounds.

Tenth Schedule.

Regulation 41.

LIFEJACKETS.

1. The buoyancy of a lifejacket shall be provided by cork, kapok or other buoyant material equally as efficient as cork or kapok.

2. A cork lifejacket shall be capable of supporting sixteen and a half pounds of iron in fresh water for twenty-four hours.

3. The cork in a cork lifejacket shall not weigh more than twelve pounds per cubic foot, and shall be of good quality, cleaned, and in pieces the size of which is not less than ten cubic inches.

4. A kapok lifejacket shall be capable of supporting at least twenty pounds of iron in fresh water after floating in fresh water for twenty-four hours with sixteen and a half pounds of iron attached.

5. The kapok in a kapok lifejacket shall be of the best flotation quality, well teased, evenly packed, free from seeds and other foreign matter and enclosed in envelopes of polyvinylchloride approved by the Director, and not less than twenty-four ounces of kapok shall be in each lifejacket.

6. The covering of lifejackets shall comply with the following requirements:—

(a) in the case of cork lifejackets—

(i) if the covering is of cotton material, the weight of the covering per lineal yard shall be not less than seven and a half ounces for a width of twenty-seven inches, and in proportion for other widths, and the threads per inch shall be warp forty-two two-fold threads, weft twenty-nine two-fold threads; or

(ii) if the covering is of linen material, the weight per lineal yard shall be not less than six ounces for a width of twenty-seven inches, and in proportion for other widths, and the threads per inch shall be twenty-eight in both the warp and weft; and

(b) in the case of kapok lifejackets, the weight of the covering per lineal yard shall be not less than five ounces for a width of twenty-seven inches, and in proportion for other widths, and the threads per inch shall be warp thirty-eight two-fold threads, weft fifty-four single threads, with sewing carried out with thread not less strong than No. 25 thread.

7. The tapes of lifejackets shall be of linen web, one and a quarter inches wide and capable of bearing a strain of two hundred pounds.

8. The tapes of lifejackets shall be securely attached to the lifejacket covers.

9. The method of fixing and tying of the tapes of lifejackets shall be such as to be easily understood and capable of being readily carried out.

10. All lifejackets shall be marked indelibly on one side with a name indicating the design of the lifejacket in letters not less than one inch in height, and on the other side with the maker’s name or other identification mark in smaller letters.

View image in the official sourceEleventh Schedule.

Regulation 43.

PART I.—LINE-THROWING APPLIANCES.

1. A line-throwing appliance shall be capable of throwing a line in such a manner that the lateral deflection of the line on either side of direction of firing does not exceed ten per centum of the length of flight of the rocket.

2. The appliance shall include four rockets and four lines.

3. Each line shall—

(a) be one-half inch in circumference and of suitable length; and

(b) have a breaking strain of not less than two hundred and fifty pounds.

4. The lines shall be kept ready for use in a container.

5. A suitable flaking board for reflaking the lines shall be provided.

6. The lines and the rockets, with means of igniting them, shall be kept in a watertight case.

7. Each rocket shall be indelibly stamped with the date of manufacture.

8. Each rocket shall be labelled with firing directions.

Eleventh Schedule—continued.

PART II.—BREECHES BUOY EQUIPMENT.

1. The breeches buoy equipment shall consist of—

(a) two lengths of manila rope, one and one-half inches in circumference, one of two fathoms and one of two hundred and forty fathoms, connected by means of swivels to form an endless whip running through a tail block of suitable size, with the whip marked with—

(i) a strip of white bunting tucked in the strands of the two-fathom length of rope midway between the swivels, to indicate the point of attachment for the rocket line; and

(ii) a strip of red bunting tucked between the strands at one hundred and twenty fathoms from the strip of white bunting, to indicate the point of attachment for the breeches buoy;

(b) one breeches buoy (that is, a lifebuoy fitted with canvas sling breeches securely slung) fitted with suitable attachments on each side for securing the bight of the endless whip;

(c) four wooden instruction boards, each about fifteen inches by three and three-quarter inches by three-eights of an inch, fitted with spliced-in lanyard of small line three feet long, bearing instructions to persons on shore as to the use of the equipment, two in accordance with paragraph 2 of this Part and two in accordance with paragraph 3 of this Part; and

(d) suitable illustrated instructions for the use of the breeches-buoy equipment.

2. Instruction Board 1.

Instructions.

To Persons on Shore.

First.—Untie the small line and throw it clear so that it will not tangle the larger rope. Then haul both parts of the loop in together till the slack is ashore.

(No. 1.)

[Reverse.]

Second.—When a flag or light is waved on the ship, haul on one part of the loop of rope when a person will be drawn ashore in a life-buoy. If unable to haul on one part, try hauling on the other, leaving the first part slack.

Third.—When the life-buoy is ashore, haul it back to the ship and watch for signal to haul ashore again. Repeat the operation till all persons are landed.

3. Instruction Board 2.

(Over)

Instructions.

To Persons on Shore.

First.—Untie this Hawser (large rope) and fasten the end very securely to a tree, rock, plank buried in sand, or other secure object, at least six feet, if possible, above water level.

(No. 2.)

[Reverse.]

Second.—When the Hawser is made fast, let one man separate from the rest and wave an article of clothing, or a light, or piece of burning paper as a signal to the ship. The Hawser will then be set taut on the ship.

Third.—When a flag or light is waved on the ship, haul on one part of the loop of smaller rope when a lifebuoy will come ashore from the ship along the Hawser. If unable to haul on one part, try the other. Repeat till all persons are landed.

Important.

Be careful that no turns of the smaller rope are taken around the Hawser.

Twelfth Schedule.

Regulation 44.

SHIPS’ PARACHUTE DISTRESS ROCKETS.

1. A ship’s parachute rocket shall be designed to give a signal consisting of a single bright red star which is projected to the required height by means of the rocket, and which burns while falling, its rate of fall being controlled by means of a parachute to fifteen feet per second.

2. The rocket shall be so designed that—

(a) when the rocket is fired approximately vertically, the star and parachute are ejected at or before the top of the trajectory, at a minimum height of seven hundred and fifty feet;

(b) it is also capable of functioning when fired at an angle of forty-five degrees to the horizontal; and

(c) the star burns with a minimum luminosity of twenty-five thousand candle power for not less than forty seconds and burns out at a height of not less than one hundred and fifty feet from the sea level.

3. The parachute shall be of such size as to provide the required control of the rate of fall of the burning star and shall be attached to the star by means of a flexible fireproof harness.

4. The rocket may be ignited by any suitable method, but if external ignition by means of a safety fuse is employed, the outer end of the safety fuse shall be covered with a metal ferrule primed with match composition and a separate striker shall be suitably attached to each rocket.

5. The match composition, the striker composition, the ferrule and the whole of the external surface of the rocket shall be water-proofed.

6. The rocket shall be capable of functioning properly after immersion in water for one minute and removal of the adhering water by shaking.

7. All components, compositions and ingredients of the rocket shall be of such a character and of such a quality as to enable the rocket to maintain its serviceability under good average storage conditions for a period of at least two years.

8. The rocket shall be packed in a metal container hermetically sealed.

9. The date on which the rocket is filled shall be stamped indelibly on the rocket and on the container.

View image in the official sourceBy Authority: A. J. Arthur, Commonwealth Government Printer, Canberra.