General requirements for liferafts

.1 Construction of liferafts

 

.1 Every liferaft shall be so constructed as to be capable of withstanding exposure for 30 days afloat in all sea conditions.

.2 The liferaft shall be so constructed, that when it is dropped into the water from a height of 18 m, the liferaft and its equipment will operate satisfactorily. If the liferaft is to be stowed at a height of more than 18 m above the water-line in the lightest seagoing condition, it shall be of a type which has been satisfactorily drop-tested from at least that height.

.3 The floating liferaft shall be capable of withstanding repeated jumps onto it from a height of at least 4.5 m above its floor both with and without the canopy erected.

.4 The liferaft and its fittings shall be so constructed as to enable it to be lowed at a speed of 3 knots in calm water when loaded with its full complement of persons and equipment and with one of its sea-anchors streamed.

.5 The liferaft shall have a canopy to protect the occupants from exposure which is automatically set in place when the liferaft is launched and waterborne. The canopy shall comply with the following:

.1 it shall provide insulation against heat and cold by means of either two layers of material separated by an air gap or other equally efficient means. Means shall be provided to prevent accumulation of water in the air gap;

.2 its interior shall be of a colour that does not cause discomfort to the occupants;

.3 each entrance shall be clearly indicated and be [provided with efficient adjustable closing arrangements which can be easily and quickly opened by persons clothed in immersion suits from inside and outside, and closed from inside the liferaft so as to permit ventilation but exclude seawater, wind and cold. Liferafts accommodating more than eight persons shall have at least two diametricallv opposite entrances;

.4 it shall admit sufficient ail for the occupants at all times, even with the entrances closed;

.5 it shall be provided with at least one viewing port;

.6 it shall be provided with means for collecting rainwater;

.7 it shall be provided with means to mount a survival craft radar transponder at a height of at least 1 m above the sea; and

.8 it shall have sufficient headroom for sitting occupants under all parts of the canopy.

 

.2 Minimum carrying capacity and mass of liferafts

 

5.1.1.1 No liferaft shall be approved which has a carrying capacity of less than six persons calculated in accordance with the requirements of paragraph 4.2.3 or 4.3.3, as appropriate.

5.1.1.2 Unless the liferaft is to be launched by an approved launching appliance complying with the requirements of section 6.1 or is not required to be stowed in a position providing for easy side-to-side transfer, the total mass of the liferaft, its container and its equipment shall not be more than 185 kg.

 

.3 Liferaft fittings

 

.1 Lifelines shall be securely becketed around the inside and outside of the liferaft.

.2 The liferaft shall be fitted with an efficient painter of length equal to not less than 10 m plus the distance from the stowed position to the waterline in the lightest seagoing condition or 15 m, whichever is the greater. The breaking strength of the painter system, including its means of attachment to the liferaft, except the weak link required by paragraph 4.1.6, shall be not less than 15 kN for liferafts permitted to accommodate more than 25 persons, not less than 10 kN for liferafts permitted to accommodate 9 to 25 persons and not less than 7.5 kN for any other liferaft.

.3 A manually controlled lamp shall be fitted to the top of the liferaft canopy. The light shall be white and be capable of operating continuously for at least 12 h with a luminous intensity of not less than 4.3 cd in all directions of the upper hemisphere. However, if the light is a flashing light it shall flash at a rate of not less than 50 flashes and not more than 70 flashes per minute for the 12 h operating period with an equivalent effective luminous intensity. The lamp shall light automatically when the canopy is erected. Batteries shall be of a type that does not deteriorate due to dampness or humidity in the stowed liferaft.

.4 A manually controlled lamp shall be fitted inside the liferaft capable of continuous operation for a period of at least 12 h. It shall light automatically when the canopy is erected and be of sufficient intensity to permit reading of survival and equipment instructions. Batteries shall be of a type that does not deteriorate due to damp or humidity in the stowed liferafts

 

.4 Davit-launched liferafts

 

1. In addition to the above requirements, a liferaft for use with an approved launching appliance shall:

.1 when the liferaft is loaded with its full complement of persons and equipment, be capable of withstanding a lateral impact against the ship's side at an impact velocity of not less than 3.5 m/s and also a drop into the water from a height of not less than 3 m without damage that will affect its function;

.2 be provided with means for bringing the liferaft alongside the embarkation deck and holding it securely during embarkation.

 

2. Every passenger ship davit-launched liferaft shall be so arranged that it can be rapidly boarded by its full complement of persons.

3. Every cargo ship davit-launched liferaft shall be so arranged that it can be boarded by its full complement of persons in not more than 3 min from the time the instruction to board is given.

 

.5 Equipment

 

1. The normal equipment of every liferaft shall consist of:

.1 one buoyant rescue quoit, attached to not less than 30 m of buoyant line;

.2 one knife of the non-folding type having a buoyant handle and lanyard attached and stowed in a pocket on the exterior of the canopy near the point at which the painter is attached to the liferaft. In addition, a liferaft which is permitted to accommodate 13 persons or more shall be provided with a second knife which need not be of the non-folding type;

.3 for a liferaft which is permitted to accommodate not more than 12 persons, one buoyant bailer. For a liferaft which is permitted to accommodate 13 persons or more, two buoyant bailers;

.4 two sponges;

.5 two sea-anchors each with a shock-resistant hawser and tripping line if fitted, one being spare and the other permanently attached to the liferaft in such a way that when the liferaft inflates or is waterborne it will cause the liferaft to be oriented to the wind in the most stable manner. The strength of each sea-anchor and its hawser and tripping line if fitted shall be adequate in all sea conditions. The sea-anchors shall have means to prevent twisting of the line and shall be of a type which is unlikely to turn inside out between its shroud lines. The sea-anchor permanently attached to davit-launched liferafts and liferafts fitted on passenger ships shall be arranged for manual deployment only. All other liferafts are to have the sea-anchor deployed automatically when the liferaft inflates;

.6 two buoyant paddles;

.7 three tin-openers and a pair of scissors. Safety knives containing special tin-opener blades are satisfactory for this requirement;

.8 one first-aid outfit in a waterproof case capable of being closed tightly after use;

.9 one whistle or equivalent sound signal;

.10 four rocket parachute flares complying with the requirements of section 3.1;

.11 six hand flares complying with the requirements of section 3.2;

.12 two buoyant smoke signals complying with the requirements of section 3.3;

.13 one waterproof electric torch suitable for Morse signalling together with one spare set of batteries and one spare bulb in a waterproof container;

.14 an efficient radar reflector, unless a survival craft radar transponder is stowed in the liferaft;

.15 one daylight signalling mirror with instructions on its use for signalling to ships and aircraft;

.16 one copy of the life-saving signals referred to in regulation V/16 on a waterproof card or in a waterproof container;

.17 one set of fishing tackle;

.18 a food ration totalling not less than 10,000 kJ for each person the liferaft is permitted to accommodate. These rations should be palatable, edible throughout the recommended shelf life, and packed in a manner which can be readily divided and easily opened. The rations shall be kept in airtight packaging and be stowed in a watertight container;

.19 watertight receptacles containing a total of 1.5 l of fresh water for each person the liferaft is permitted to accommodate, of which either 0.5 l per person may be replaced by a desalting apparatus capable of producing an equal amount of fresh water in two days or 1 l per person may be replaced by a manually powered reverse-osmosis desalinator, as described in paragraph 4.4.7.5, capable of producing an equal amount of fresh water in two days;

.20 one rustproof graduated drinking vessel;

.21 anti-seasickness medicine sufficient for at least 48 h and one seasickness bag for each person the liferaft is permitted to accommodate;

.22 instructions on how to survive[§];

.23 instructions for immediate action; and

.24 thermal protective aids complying with the requirements of section 2.5 sufficient for 10% of the number of persons the liferaft is permitted to accommodate or two, whichever is the greater.

2. The marking required by paragraphs 4.2.6.3.5 and 4.3.6.7 on liferafts equipped in accordance with paragraph 4.1.5.1 shall be "SOLAS A PACK" in block capitals of the Roman alphabet.

3. In the case of passenger ships engaged on short international voyages of such a nature and duration that, in the opinion of the Administration, not all of the items specified in paragraph 4.1.5.1 are necessary, the Administration may allow the liferafts carried on any such ships to be provided with the equipment specified in paragraphs 4.1.5.1.1 to 4.1.5.1.6 inclusive, 4.1.5.1.8, 4.1.5.1.9, 4.1.5.1.13 to 4.1.5.1.16 inclusive and 4.1.5.1.21 to 4.1.5.1.24 inclusive and one half of the equipment specified in paragraphs 4.1.5.1.10 to 4.1.5.1.12 inclusive. The marking required by paragraphs 4.2.6.3.5 and 4.3.6.7 on such liferafts shall be "SOLAS B PACK" in block capitals of the Roman alphabet.

4. Where appropriate the equipment shall be stowed in a container which, if it is not an integral part of, or permanently attached to, the liferaft, shall be stowed and secured inside the liferaft and be capable of floating in water for at least 30 min without damage to its contents.

 

ii. Float-free arrangements for liferafts

 

1. Painter system

The liferaft painter system shall provide a connection between the ship and the liferaft and shall be so arranged as to ensure that the liferaft when released and, in the case of an inflatable liferaft, inflated is not dragged under by the sinking ship.

2. Weak Link

If a weak link is used in the float-free arrangement, it shall:

6 not be broken by the force required to pull the painter from the liferaft container;

7 if applicable, be of sufficient strength to permit the inflation of the liferaft; and

8 break under a strain of 2.2 ±0.4 kN.

3. Hydrostatic release units

If a hydrostatic release unit is used in the float-free arrangements, it shall:

.1 be constructed of compatible materials so as to prevent malfunction of the unit. Galvanizing or other forms of metallic coating on parts of the hydrostatic release unit shall not be accepted;

.2 automatically release the liferaft at a depth of not more than 4 m;

.3 have drains to prevent the accumulation of water in the hydrostatic chamber when the unit is in its normal position;

.4 be so constructed as to prevent release when seas wash over the unit;

.5 be permanently marked on its exterior with its type and serial number;

.6 be permanently marked, on the unit or identification plate securely attached to the unit, with the date of manufacture, type and serial number and whether the unit is suitable for use with a liferaft with a capacity of more than 25 persons;

.7 be such that each part connected to the painter system has a strength of not less than that required for the painter; and

.8 if disposable, in lieu of the requirement in paragraph 4.1.6.3.6, be marked with a means of determining its date of expiry.