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.
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.
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.
The davits with which a ship is fitted shall be placed to the satisfaction of the Director.
Construction of davits and launching gear.
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.