Div 3Buoyant Apparatus and Inflatable Liferafts.

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.