31 Misuse of distress and safety signals
[SOLAS V/35]

31.1 A person must not:

(a) transmit or display a prescribed signal of distress; or
(b) transmit a prescribed urgency signal; or
(c) send out a danger message.

unless the transmission, display or sending out is permitted by this Part or another Part of Marine Orders.

31.2 A person must not, except in the case of actual distress, use any flare, rocket or shell that could be mistaken for a prescribed signal of distress coming from a ship, unless advance notice has been given to the Rescue Coordination Centre (RCC) Australia.[32]

31.3 When a distress signal has been accidentally transmitted from a ship, the Master must advise immediately the relevant marine rescue coordination centre of the accidental transmission and that the ship is in no danger.[33]

31.4 If a person removes an EPIRB from a ship for purposes other than test and repair, that person must ensure that the batteries are removed from the EPIRB.

32 Shipboard emergency procedures

32.1 General emergency alarm signal

32.1.1 The general emergency alarm signal for an emergency stations muster of the passengers and crew of a ship is a signal of 7 or more short blasts followed by one long blast on the ship's whistle or siren.

32.1.2 The general emergency alarm signal must be repeated on the ship's electrically operated warning bell system and suitable instructions must be given over a public address system, if fitted, or by any other equally effective means available.

32.2 Prepare to abandon ship signal

32.2.1 The signal to indicate that the ship may shortly be abandoned is one short blast followed by one long blast on the ship's whistle or siren, sounded at least 3 times in succession.

32.2.2 The signal to indicate that the ship may shortly be abandoned must be repeated on the ship's electrically operated warning bell system and suitable instructions must be given over a public address system, if fitted, or by any other equally effective means available. The engine-room telegraph must be put to 'Finished with Engines'.

32.2.3 When a ship is to be abandoned, the master must ensure that any machinery or appliance whose operation could impede the safe abandonment of the ship is stopped, disengaged or otherwise rendered inoperative. Stabilisers, if extended and liable to interfere with survival craft, must be retracted.

32.2.4 When a ship is to be abandoned, the master must ensure that all crew members working below deck or in other parts of the ship distant from survival craft, are effectively warned by all means available that the ship is to be abandoned, in sufficient time to allow all crew members to reach their survival craft station.

32.3 Abandon ship signal

The abandon ship signal is to be defined by the Master and stated in each muster list. It is to be given by the Master or senior surviving officer in the most effective manner possible and gives authority to those in charge of survival craft to launch as soon as ready.

32.4 Emergency practices

Signals

32.4.1 The signal for an emergency practice is the general emergency alarm signal, supplemented by instructions by the master as to the nature of the practice over a public address system, if fitted, or by any other equally effective means.

32.4.2 If the master of a ship considers that the sounding of the general emergency alarm signal would constitute a nuisance outside the ship, then:

(a) the ship's electrically operated warning bell system;
(b) suitable instructions given over the ship's public address system, if fitted; or
(c) any other equally effective means,

may be used to initiate the emergency practice.

32.4.3 Before a signal is given for an emergency practice, all passengers and crew must be warned of:[34]

(a) the time at which the practice is to be held; and
(b) the nature of the practice signal.

When practices to be held

32.4.4 The master of a ship must arrange for practice musters and drills as required by Marine Orders, Part 25 (EquipmentLife-saving).

32.4.5 The master of a ship must arrange for training sessions for the crew in survival and use of equipment, at suitable intervals to ensure that the crew maintain their competence in this respect.[35]

32.4.6 The master of a ship must arrange for practices in other operations, such as closure of watertight doors, damage control and rescue of casualties, at the following intervals:

(a) in respect of watertight doorsat least once a week;
(b) in respect of other damage control mattersat least monthly on passenger ships and so far as possible immediately after a crew change, or where 50 per cent or more of the relevant persons assigned that duty have changed;
(c) in respect of other matterswhen the master considers necessary.

Practice procedures

32.4.7 The procedures to be followed in conducting an emergency practice are specified in Appendix 5.[36]

32.5 Muster list and emergency instructions

Emergency instructions

32.5.1 The master of a ship must provide to every person on board clear instructions to be followed in the event of an emergency.[37]

Assignment of passengers to muster stations

32.5.2 The master of a ship carrying passengers must:

(a) assign each passenger to a muster station; and
(b) record the assignments made under (a) in accordance with Appendix 6 and, exhibit at all times for the information of the members of the crew concerned with the mustering of passengers such number of copies of that record and in such places as a surveyor may require.

Marking of muster stations for passengers

32.5.3 The master of a ship carrying passengers must ensure that the muster stations for passengers are so indicated to the satisfaction of a surveyor, by painted or other signs, as to be readily visible by day and by night.[38]

Assignment of crew

32.5.4 The master of a ship must ensure that:

(a) each crew member on joining the ship is assigned to an emergency station and to a survival craft according to the cabin berth allocated or by other suitable identification; and
(b) in the case of a passenger ship, each lifeboat has assigned to it no fewer than the number of certificated persons applicable to the lifeboat as determined in accordance with Table l.

Table 1

32.5.5 The master of a ship must assign crew members to, and provide instructions to crew members in respect of, duties relating to emergencies that may occur on the ship.[39]

32.5.6 Assignments made under 32.5.4 and 32.5.5 must be recorded in accordance with Appendix 7 and must be so exhibited in conspicuous positions in crew accommodation and other appropriate parts of the ship so as to be easily visible to the crew.

32.6 Responsibilities of owner, master and crew

32.6.1 The owner of a ship must supply a copy of this Part to:

(a) the master; and
(b) in the case of a passenger ship, to each officer or other person who is directly responsible to the master for a department of the ship.

32.6.2 The master of a ship must ensure that the requirements of 32.1 to 32.5 are so met that crew members become conversant with their assigned emergency stations and duties, and emergency procedures generally.

32.6.3 The master of a ship must ensure that crew members are trained in the operation and application of all life‑saving, fire fighting and other emergency appliances and equipment provided in the ship.

32.6.4 The master of a ship must ensure that a survival manual is provided at or near the cabin berth of each crew member for the exclusive use of that person.

32.6.5 The master of a ship must ensure that entries recording all practice musters and drills, tests and inspections held in accordance with 32.1 to 32.5 are made in the ship's official log‑book.

32.6.6 The master of a ship must ensure that where a practice muster or drill, test or inspection required by 32.1 to 32.5 is not held, an entry is made in the ship's official log‑book stating the reasons for non‑compliance.

32.6.7 An officer or other person referred to in 32.6.1(b) must become conversant with the requirements of 32.1 to 32.5 and must take all necessary measures to ensure that members of the crew under his or her control are instructed in their assigned duties under 32.5.4 and in the survival craft, fire and damage control drills.

32.6.8 Each member of a ship's crew must become conversant with the contents of the survival manual and, except during training sessions, keep it at or near the cabin berth he or she occupies.