Statutory Instrument 1999 No. 2721

The Merchant Shipping (Life-Saving Appliances For Ships Other Than Ships Of Classes III To VI(A)) Regulations 1999

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© Crown Copyright 1999

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(a) the Merchant Shipping (Life-Saving Appliances) Regulations 1980[2];

(b) the Merchant Shipping (Life-Saving Appliances) (Amendment) Regulations 1981[3];

(c) the Merchant Shipping (Life-Saving Appliances) Regulations 1986[4];

(d) the Merchant Shipping (Life-Saving Appliances) Regulations 1980 (Amendment) Regulations 1986[5]; and

(e) the Merchant Shipping (Life-Saving Appliances) (Amendment) Regulations 1991[6].

General interpretation
     2.  - (1) In these Regulations:

(a) a reference to a ship constructed on or after a specified date is a reference to a ship the keel of which is laid or which is at a similar stage of construction on or after that date; or

(b) if the ship is not a passenger ship before that date and is converted to a passenger ship it shall be treated as a passenger ship constructed on the date on which such a conversion takes place.

    (2) In these Regulations the following expressions have the following meanings, except where the context otherwise requires:

"anti-exposure suit" means a protective suit designed for use by rescue boat crews and marine evacuation system parties, complying with the requirements of Schedule 10, Part 2 of MSN 1676(M);

"assembly station" and "muster station" have the same meaning;

"automatic self-righting liferaft" means a liferaft complying with the requirements of Schedule 4, Part 2 or 3 of MSN 1676(M);

"buoyant apparatus" means flotation equipment (other than lifebuoys and lifejackets) designed to support persons who are in the water and complying with the requirements of Schedule 12 of MSN 1676(M);

"buoyant lifeline" means a line complying with the requirements of Schedule 8, Part 6 of MSN 1676(M);

"buoyant smoke signal" means a pyrotechnic signal complying with the requirements of Schedule 7, Part 4 of MSN 1676(M);

"canopied reversible liferaft" means a liferaft complying with the requirements of Schedule 4, Part 2 or 3 of MSN 1676(M);

"cargo ship" means any ship which is not a passenger ship, pleasure vessel or fishing vessel;

"Category A, B, C and D waters" means the waters specified as such in Merchant Shipping Notice No. M.1719, and cognate expressions shall be construed accordingly;

"certificated person" means a member of the crew who holds either - 

(a) a Certificate of Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue boat under the Merchant Shipping (Training and Certification) Regulations 1997[7] or such certificate issued by or under the authority of any government outside the United Kingdom as is accepted by the Secretary of State as being the equivalent to a certificate issued under those Regulations; or

(b) a Certificate of Proficiency as Lifeboatman issued before 28th April 1984 by or under the authority of the Secretary of State or such certificate issued before 28th April 1984 by or under the authority of any government outside the United Kingdom as is accepted by the Secretary of State as being the equivalent of such a certificate issued by or under the authority of the Secretary of State;

"certified" means certified by a certificate issued under regulation 10 of the Merchant Shipping (Survey and Certification) Regulations 1995[8];

"chemical tanker" means a cargo ship constructed or adapted and used for the carriage in bulk of any liquid product listed in Chapter 17 of the 1994 edition of the International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk published by the Organisation;

"Class C boat" means a boat complying with the requirements in Schedule 3 of MSN 1677(M);

"Convention" means the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, (SOLAS) 1974[9], and its 1978 Protocol[10] and amendments in force on 1st July 1998;

"EEA Agreement" means the Agreement on the European Economic Area signed at Oporto on 2nd May 1992[11] as adjusted by the Protocol signed at Brussels on 17th May 1993[12];

"EEA State" means a State which is a Contracting Party to the EEA Agreement;

"date of expiry" in relation to any product referred to in Schedules 7 and 8 of MSN 1676(M) means a date within four years from the date of manufacture of that product;

"detection" means the determination of the location of survivors or survival craft;

"effective clearing of the ship" is the ability of the free-fall lifeboat to move away from the ship after free-fall launching without using its engine;

"embarkation ladder" means a ladder complying with the requirements of Schedule 6, Part 5 of MSN 1676(M) provided at survival craft embarkation stations to permit safe access to survival craft after launching;

"fast rescue boat" means a rescue boat complying with the requirements of Schedule 2, Part 10 of MSN 1676(M);

"fast rescue boat launching appliance" means an appliance complying with the requirements of Schedule 6, Part 2 of MSN 1676(M) designed to launch and recover a fast rescue boat;

"favourable weather" means fine, clear, settled weather with a sea state such as to cause only moderate rolling and/or pitching;

"free-fall acceleration" is the rate of change of velocity experienced by the occupants during launching of a free-fall lifeboat;

"free-fall certification height" is the greatest launching height for which the lifeboat is to be approved, measured from the still water surface to the lowest point on the lifeboat when the lifeboat is in the launch configuration;

"free-fall launching" means that method of launching a survival craft whereby the craft with it s complement of persons and equipment on board is released and allowed to fall into the sea without any restraining apparatus;

"gas carrier" means a cargo ship constructed or adapted and used for the carriage in bulk of any liquefied gas or other product listed in Chapter 19 of the 1993 edition of the International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Liquefied Gases in Bulk published by the Organisation;

"general emergency alarm system" means a system complying with the requirements of Schedule 11, Part 1 of MSN 1676(M);

"hand flare" means pyrotechnic signal complying with the requirements of Schedule 7, Part 3 of MSN 1676(M);

"IAMSAR" means the 1998 Edition of International Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue Manual published by IMO;

"immersion suit" means a protective suit which reduces the body heat-loss of a person wearing it in cold water and complies with the requirements of Schedule 10, Part 1 of MSN 1676(M);

"IMO" means the International Maritime Organization;

"inflatable appliance" means an appliance which depends upon non-rigid, gas-filled chambers for buoyancy and which is normally kept uninflated until ready for use;

"inflatable lifejacket" means a lifejacket complying with the requirements of Schedule 9, Part 4 of MSN 1676(M);

"inflated boat" means a boat complying with the requirements of Schedule 3, Part 3 of MSN 1676(M) or Schedule 4 of MSN 1677(M);

"instructions for on-board maintenance" means the instructions for complying with the requirements of Schedule 14, Part 2 of MSN 1676(M);

"international voyage" means a voyage from a country to which the Convention applies to a port outside that country, or conversely;

"launching appliance" means an appliance complying with the requirements of Schedule 6 of MSN 1676(M);

"launching ramp angle" means the angle between the horizontal and the launch rail of a free-fall lifeboat in its launching position with the ship on even keel;

"launching ramp length" is the distance between the stern of the lifeboat and the lower end of the launching ramp;

"length" in relation to a registered ship means registered length, and in relation to an unregistered ship means the length from the fore part of the stem to the aft side of the head of the stern post or, if no stern post is fitted to take the rudder, to the fore side of the rudder stock at the point where the rudder passes out of the hull;

"lifeboat" means a boat complying with the requirements of Schedule 2 of MSN 1676(M) or MSN 1677(M);

"lifebuoy" means a lifebuoy complying with the requirements of Schedule 8, Part 2 of MSN 1676(M);

"lifeboat radiotelegraph installation" means an installation complying with paragraph 6.4.1 in MSN 1693(M);

"lifejacket" means a lifejacket complying with the requirements in Schedule 8 of MSN 1677(M) or Schedule 9 of MSN 1676(M);

"lifejacket light" means a light complying with the relevant requirements of Schedule 9, Part 1 of MSN 1676(M);

"liferaft" means a liferaft complying with the requirements of either Schedule 4 of MSN 1676(M) or Schedule 5 of MSN 1677(M);

"lightest sea-going condition" is the loading condition with the ship on even keel, without cargo, with 10 per cent stores and fuel remaining and, in the case of a passenger ship, with the full number of passengers and crew and their luggage;

"line-throwing appliance" means an appliance complying with the requirements of Schedule 7, Part 5 of MSN 1676(M);

"long international voyage" means an international voyage which is not a short international voyage;

"marine evacuation system" means a system complying with the requirements of Schedule 5, Part 1 of MSN 1676(M);

"Maritime and Coastguard Agency" or "MCA" means the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, an Executive Agency of the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions;

"means of rescue" means equipment and arrangements complying with the requirements of Schedule 5, Part 3 of MSN 1676(M) designed to assist the recovery of survivors at sea;

"mechanically propelled lifeboat" means a lifeboat (other than a motor lifeboat) complying with the requirements of Schedule 2, Part 4 of MSN 1677(M);

"Merchant Shipping Notice" (or "MSN") means a Notice described as such and issued by the MCA;

"mile" means a nautical mile of 1,852 metres;

"motor lifeboat" means a lifeboat complying with the requirements of Schedule 2 of MSN 1676(M) or MSN 1677(M);

"moulded depth" means in relation to a ship means the vertical distance measured from the top of the keel to the top of the freeboard deck beam at side, except that - 

(a) in the case of a wood of composite ship, it shall be measured from the lower edge of the keel rabbet;

(b) if the form at the lower part of the midship section of the ship is of a hollow character or if thick garboards are fitted, it shall be measured from the point where the line of the flat of the bottom continued inwards cuts the side of the keel;

(c) in the case of a ship having rounded gunwales it shall be measured to the point of intersection of the moulded lines of the deck and side shell plating, the lines extending as though the gunwale were of angular design; and

(d) if the freeboard deck is stepped and the raised part of the deck extends over the point at which the moulded depth is to be determined, it shall be measured to a line of reference extending from the lower part of the deck along a line parallel to the raised part of the deck;

"non-United Kingdom ship" means a ship other than a United Kingdom ship;

"passenger ship" means a ship carrying more than 12 passengers;

"periodical survey" with regard to life-saving appliances and arrangements means a periodical survey pursuant to regulation 4 or 6 of the Merchant Shipping (Survey and Certification) Regulations 1995 being conducted - 

(a) for a passenger ship, every 12 months; and

(b) for a cargo ship, every 24 months;

"person" means a person over the age of one year;

"pleasure vessel" means:

(a) a vessel which at the time it is being used is - 


(i)


(aa) in the case of a vessel wholly owned by an individual or individuals used only for the sport or pleasure of the owner or the immediate family or friends of the owner; or

(bb) in the case of a vessel owned by a body corporate used only for sport or pleasure and on which the persons are employees or officers of the body corporate, or their immediate family or friends; and



(ii) on a voyage or excursion which is one for which the owner does not receive money for or in connection with operating the vessel or carrying any person, other than as a contribution to the direct expenses of the operation of the vessel incurred during the voyage or excursion;



(b) any vessel wholly owned by or on behalf of a members' club formed for the purpose of sport or pleasure which, at the time it is being used, is used only for the sport or pleasure of members of that club or their immediate family; and for the use of which any charges levied are paid into club funds and applied for the general use of the club; and

(c) in the case of any vessel referred to in paragraphs (a) or (b) above no other payments are made by or on behalf of users of the vessel, other than by the owner.

In this definition "immediate family" means, in relation to an individual, the husband or wife of the individual, or a relative of the individual or of the individual's husband or wife, and "relative" means brother, sister, ancestor or lineal descendant;

"radar transponder" means a radar transponder, for use in survival craft, the emissions of which are intended to facilitate location of a survival craft in search and rescue operations;

"retro-reflective material" means a material which reflects in the opposite direction a beam of light directed on it and complies with Marine Guidance Notice No. M 105;

"relevant standard of a member State other than the United Kingdom", in relation to a reference to a British Standard means:

(a) a relevant standard or code of practice of a national standards body or equivalent body of a EEA State other than the United Kingdom;

(b) a relevant international standard recognised for use in a EEA State other than the United Kingdom; or

(c) a relevant specification acknowledged for use as a standard by a public authority of a EEA State other than the United Kingdom;

being a standard, code of practice or specification which provides in use, levels of safety, suitability and fitness for purpose equivalent to those provided by the International Standard or the British Standard;

"required free-fall height" means the greatest distance measured from the still water surface to the lowest point on the lifeboat when the lifeboat is in the launch configuration and the ship is in its lightest seagoing condition;

"rescue boat" means a boat complying with the requirements of Schedule 2 or 3 of MSN 1676(M) and designed to rescue persons in distress and to marshall liferafts;

"restricted period" means a period falling wholly within the following limits:

(a) from 1st April to 31st October, both dates inclusive; and

(b) between one hour before sunrise and one hour after sunset in the case of ships fitted with navigation lights conforming regulations, and between sunrise and sunset in the case of any other ship;

"retrieval" means the safe recovery of survivors;

"rocket parachute flare" means a pyrotechnic signal complying with the requirements of Schedule 7, Part 2 of MSN 1676(M);

"ro-ro passenger ship" means a passenger ship provided with cargo or vehicle spaces not normally sub-divided in any way and extending to either a substantial length or the entire length of the ship in which vehicles or cargo can be loaded or unloaded in a horizontal direction;

"sailing ship" includes a ship provided with sufficient sail area for navigation under sails alone, whether or not fitted with mechanical means of propulsion;

"satellite EPIRB" means an emergency position-indicating radio beacon, being an earth station in the mobile-satellite service, the emissions of which are intended to facilitate search and rescue operations and which is capable of - 

(a) floating free if the ship sinks;

(b) being automatically activated when afloat;

(c) being manually activated; and

(d) being carried by one person;

"sea" does not include any waters specified as Category A, B, C or D;

"sea anchor" means an anchor complying with the requirements of Part 4 of Schedule 13, Part 4 of MSN 1676(M);

"self activating smoke signal" means a signal complying with the requirements of Schedule 8, Part 5 of MSN 1676(M);

"self-igniting light" means a light complying with the requirements of Schedule 8, Part 4 of MSN 1676(M);

"service space" includes galleys, pantries containing cooking appliances, lockers and storerooms, paint rooms, baggage rooms, workshops other than those forming part of machinery spaces, mail rooms and similar spaces and trunks to such spaces;

"short international voyage" means an international voyage:

(a) in the course of which a ship is not more than 200 miles from a port or place in which the passengers and crew could be placed in safety; and

(b) which does not exceed 600 nautical miles in distance between the last port of call in the country in which this voyage begins and the final port of destination;

however, for the purposes of this definition, no account shall be taken of any deviation by a ship from the intended voyage due solely to the stress of weather or any other circumstances that neither the master nor the owner nor the charterer (if any) of the ship could have prevented or forestalled;

"similar stage of construction" means the stage at which:

(a) construction identifiable with a specific ship begins; and

(b) assembly of that ship has commenced comprising at least 50 tonnes or one per cent of the estimated mass of all structural material whichever is less;

"survival craft" means a craft capable of sustaining the lives of persons in distress from the time of abandoning the ship;

"tanker" means a cargo ship constructed or adapted for the carriage in bulk of liquid cargoes of a flammable nature and also means a chemical tanker or gas carrier constructed or adapted to carry cargoes emitting toxic vapours or gases, or cargoes having a flash point not exceeding 60°C (closed cup test);

"thermal protective aid" means a bag or suit complying with the requirements of Schedule 10, Part 2 of MSN 1676(M);

"tons" means gross tons and a reference to tons - 

(a) in relation to a ship having alternative gross tonnages under paragraph 13 of Schedule 5 of the Merchant Shipping (Tonnage) Regulations 1982[13] permitted to be used pursuant to regulation 12(1) of the Merchant Shipping (Tonnage) Regulations 1997[14], is a reference to the larger of those tonnages; and

(b) in relation to a ship having its gross tonnage determined both under Part II and regulation 12(2) of those Regulations is a reference to its gross tonnage as determined under regulation 12(2);

"toxic vapours or gases" means the vapours or gases associated with products for which in the event of escape, respiratory and eye protection is required in Chapter 17 of the 1994 Edition of International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk published by IMO and in Chapter 19 of the International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Liquefied Gases in Bulk published by IMO;

"training manual" means a manual complying with the requirements of Schedule 14, Part 1 of MSN 1676(M);

"two-way VHF radiotelephone apparatus" means a two-way VHF radiotelephone apparatus in survival craft for communication between survival craft, between survival craft and ship and between ship and rescue boat, complying with, in the case of equipment installed before 23rd November 1996, performance standards adopted by IMO contained in IMO Resolution A.762(18) and, in the case of equipment installed on or after 23rd November 1996, performance standards adopted by the organisation in IMO Resolution A.809(19);

"voyage" includes an excursion;

"water-entry angle" is the angle between the horizontal and the launch rail of the free-fall lifeboat when it first enters the water; and

"waterproofed" means protected as far as is practicable from the ingress of water.

    (3) Any reference in these Regulations - 

(a) the Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk;

(b) the International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk;

(c) the Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Liquefied Gases in Bulk;

(d) the International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Liquefied Gases in Bulk;

(e) a British Standard;

(f) a Merchant Shipping Notice or a Marine Guidance Note;

(g) any other specified Code or guidelines; and

(h) Life-Saving Signals and Rescue Methods, SOLAS No. 1; and

(i) IAMSAR;

shall include:

(a) a reference to any document amending that publication which is considered by the Secretary of State to be relevant from time to time and is specified in a Merchant Shipping Notice; and

(b) as respects a reference to a British Standard, a reference to a relevant standard of a EEA State other than the United Kingdom.

Classification of Ships
     3. For the purposes of these Regulations ships shall be arranged in Classes as follows:

Ships other than passenger ships

Passenger Ships
Class I	ships engaged on voyages any of which are long international voyages;
Class II	ships engaged only on short international voyages;
Class II(A)	ships engaged on voyages of any kind other than international voyages;
Class III	ships engaged only on voyages in the course of which they are at no time more than 70 miles by sea from their point of departure nor more than 18 miles from the coast of the United Kingdom, and which are at sea only in favourable weather and during restricted periods;
Class IV	ships engaged only on voyages in Category A, B, C and D waters;
Class V	ships engaged only on voyages in Category A, B, and C waters;
Class VI	ships engaged only on voyages with not more than 250 passengers on board, to sea, or in Category A, B, C and D waters, in all cases in favourable weather and during restricted periods, in the course of which the ships are at no time more than 15 miles, exclusive of any Category A, B, C and D waters, from their point of departure nor more than 3 miles from land;
Class VI(A)	ships carrying not more than 50 passengers for a distance of not more than 6 miles on voyages to or from isolated communities on the islands or coast of the United Kingdom and which do not proceed for a distance of more than 3 miles from land;
Class VII	ships (other than ships of Classes I, VII(A), VII(T), XI and XII) engaged on voyages any of which are long international voyages;
Class VII(A)	ships employed as fish processing or canning factory ships, and ships engaged in the carriage of persons employed in the fish processing or canning industries;
Class VII(T)	tankers engaged on voyages any of which are long international voyages;
Class VIII	ships (other than ships of Classes II, VIII(T), IX, XI and XII) engaged only on short international voyages;
Class VIII(T)	tankers engaged on voyages any of which are short international voyages;
Class VIII(A)	ships (other than ships of Classes II(A) to VI(A) inclusive, VIII(A)(T), IX, IX(A), IX(A)(T), XI and XII) engaged only on voyages which are not international voyages;
Class VIII(A)(T)	tankers engaged only on voyages which are not international voyages;
Class IX	tugs and tenders (other than ships of Classes II, II(A), III, VI and VI(A)) which proceed to sea but are not engaged on long international voyages;
Class IX(A)	ships (other than ships of Classes IV to VI inclusive) which do not proceed to sea;
Class IX(A)(T)	tankers which do not proceed to sea;
Class XI	sailing ships (other than fishing vessels and ships of Class XII) which proceed to sea; and
Class XII	pleasure vessels of 13.7 metres in length or over.

General Application
     4.  - (1) Subject to paragraph (2), these Regulations apply to United Kingdom ships wherever they may be, and to non-United Kingdom ships while they are within United Kingdom waters, whether or not they are engaged on international voyages.

    (2) These Regulations shall not apply to:

(a) a non-United Kingdom ship flying the flag of a state which is not a party to the Convention by reason of its being within United Kingdom waters if it would not have been there but for stress of weather or any other circumstances which neither the master nor the owner or the charterer (if any) could have prevented;

(b) fishing vessels;

(c) pleasure vessels of less than 13.7 metres in length;

(d) ships of Classes III to VI(A); and

(e) non-United Kingdom ships which are:


(i) cargo ships of less than 500 tons;

(ii) ships not propelled by mechanical means; or

(iii) pleasure vessels of whatever size.

Ships of Class II
     8.  - (1) This regulation applies to ships of Class II.

    (2) Every ship shall, subject to the provisions of paragraph (8), be fitted in accordance with its length with the number of sets of davits specified in Column A of the table set out in Schedule 1: provided that no ship shall be required to be fitted with more sets of davits than the number of lifeboats required to accommodate the total number of persons which the ship is certified to carry.

    (3) A lifeboat shall be attached to every such set of davits and the lifeboats so attached shall, subject to the provisions of paragraph (8), together provide at least the capacity specified in Column C of the table set out in Schedule 1 or the capacity required to accommodate the total number of persons which the ship is certified to carry, if this is less.

    (4) On every ship, two of the lifeboats required by paragraph (3) shall be kept ready, one on each side of the ship, for immediate use in an emergency while the ship is at sea. These lifeboats shall be not more than 8.5 metres in length and each of them may be a motor lifeboat and may be counted for the purpose of compliance with paragraph (5).

    (5) Every ship shall carry on each side of the ship at least one motor lifeboat which shall be provided with the equipment specified in Part 4, of Schedule 12; provided that in ships which are certified to carry not more than 30 persons only one such motor lifeboat shall be required.

    (6) Subject to the provisions of paragraphs (7) and (8), when lifeboats carried in compliance with the foregoing provisions of this regulation will not accommodate the total number of persons which the ship is certified to carry additional sets of davits with a lifeboat attached to each shall be fitted to make up the deficiency in such accommodation.

    (7) If the volume of traffic so required, the Secretary of State may permit any ship subdivided in accordance with the requirements of Schedule 2, Section 3 of MSN 1698(M) to carry persons in excess of the lifeboat capacity provided in compliance with paragraph (3), on condition that: - 

(a) if such a ship is to proceed to sea from a port in the United Kingdom on a long international voyage, such a ship shall carry lifeboats attached to davits affording accommodation for at least 75 per cent of the persons on board;

(b) liferafts shall be carried so that the total number of lifeboats together with such liferafts shall be sufficient to accommodate the total number of persons which the ship is certified to carry; and

(c) in any such ship in which a two-compartment standard of subdivision is not achieved throughout by virtue of the application of the provisions of paragraph (9) of Schedule 2 to MSN 1698(M) there shall be provided liferafts of sufficient aggregate capacity to accommodate 10 per cent of the total number of persons which the ship is certified to carry, such liferafts being additional to those required to be provided in compliance with subparagraph (b), paragraph (8)(b) and with paragraph (12).

    (8) Where it can be shown that it is impracticable to stow satisfactorily the liferafts carried in pursuance of paragraph (7) without reducing the number of lifeboats, the Secretary of State may permit the number of sets of davits required to be fitted under paragraph (2) and the number of lifeboats attached to davits required under paragraph (3) to be reduced: provided that: - 

(a) the number of lifeboats shall, in the case of ships of 58 metres in length or over, never be less than four, two of which shall be carried on each side of the ship, and in the case of ships of less than 58 metres in length shall never be less than two, one of which shall be carried on each side of the ship;

(b) the number of lifeboats and liferafts shall always be sufficient to accommodate the total number of persons which the ship is certified to carry; and

(c)


(i) where the total capacity of the lifeboats is less than that required by Column C of the table set out in Schedule 1, liferafts of a type capable of being launched by the appliances referred to in regulation 29(2) shall be provided;

(ii) the total carrying capacity of the liferafts shall be at least the number obtained by dividing by 0.283 the difference between the aggregate cubic capacity of the lifeboats and the capacity required by Column C;

(iii) the liferafts shall together be sufficient for at least forty persons; and

(iv) there is at least one launching appliance on each side of the ship and that the difference in the number of such appliances fitted on each side shall not exceed one.

    (9) The lifeboats required by this regulation shall not be less than 7.3 metres in length.

    (10) The lifeboat davits required to be carried in compliance with this regulation shall be of the gravity type, except that luffing type davits may be fitted for operating lifeboats weighing not more than 2,300 kgs in their turning out condition.

    (11) Every ship shall be provided with the following equipment:

(b) at least 3 waterproofed two-way VHF radiotelephone sets, complying with the standards contained in IMO Resolution A.762(18); and

(c) on each side of the ship, at least one radar transponder stowed in such a location that it can be rapidly placed in any survival craft or, alternatively, one radar transponder stowed in each survival craft.

    (12) Every ship shall carry, in addition to any liferafts that may be carried in pursuance of paragraphs (7) and (8), liferafts sufficient to accommodate 10 per cent of the total number of persons for whom there is accommodation in lifeboats.

    (13) Every ship shall carry buoyant apparatus, sufficient to support 5 per cent of the total number of persons which the ship is certified to carry.

    (14) Every ship shall carry at least the number of lifebuoys determined in accordance with the following table:

Length of ship in metres	Minimum number of lifebuoys
Under 61	8
61 or more but less than 122	12
122 or more but less than 183	18
183 or more but less than 244	24
244 and over	30

    (15)

(a) Every ship shall carry a lifejacket appropriate for every person on board.

(b) In addition to lifejackets carried in compliance with subparagraph (a), every ship shall carry lifejackets for at least 5 per cent of the number of persons which the ship is certified to carry and such lifejackets shall comply with the requirements of Schedule 8, Part 1 and shall be stowed in a conspicuous place on deck or at assembly stations.

(c) Each lifejacket required to be carried by subparagraphs (a) and (b) shall be fitted with a lifejacket light complying with the requirements of Schedule 9, Part 1 of MSN 1676(M).

    (16) Every ship shall carry a line-throwing appliance.

    (17)

(a) Every ship shall carry for each lifeboat on the ship at least 3 immersion suits and, in addition, a thermal protective aid for every person to be accommodated in the lifeboats not provided with an immersion suit except that immersion suits and thermal protective aids need not be carried for person to be accommodated in totally or partially enclosed lifeboats or on a ship which is constantly engaged on voyages between the parallels of latitude of 20° North and South.

(b) Every ship shall carry, for every person assigned to a marine evacuation system party, an immersion suit or an anti-exposure suit of an appropriate size complying with regulation 39.

    (18)

(a) Subject to sub-paragraph (b) every ship shall be provided with a public address system complying with Schedule 11, Part 2 of MSN 1676(M).

(b) Ships which are already fitted with a public address system which complies substantially with the requirements of Schedule 11, Part 2, paragraphs 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and 7 are not required to change their system.

    (19)

(a) This paragraph applies to ro-ro passenger ships.

(b) Liferafts on ro-ro ships shall:


(i) be served by marine evacuation systems complying with the requirements of Schedule 5, Part 1 of MSN 1676(M) or launching appliances complying with the requirements of Schedule 6, Part 3 of MSN 1676(M), equally distributed on each side of the ship;

(ii) be provided with float-free launching arrangements complying with the requirements of Schedule 4, Part 8 of MSN 1676(M);

(iii) be fitted with a semi-rigid boarding ramp capable of supporting a person weighing 100 kgs; and

(iv) either be an automatic self-righting liferaft or be a canopied reversible liferaft which is stable in a seaway and is capable of operating safely whichever way up it is floating. Alternatively, and providing the existing liferafts comply with Schedule 4 of MSN 1676(M), the ship shall carry automatic self-righting liferafts or canopied reversible liferafts, in addition to its normal complement of liferafts, of such aggregate capacity as will accommodate at least 50 per cent of the persons not accommodated in lifeboats. This additional liferaft capacity shall be determined on the basis of the difference between the total number of persons on board and the number of persons accommodated in lifeboats.



(c) Fast rescue boats



(i) At least one of the rescue boats provided pursuant to paragraph (4) shall be a fast rescue boat complying with the requirements of Schedule 2, Part 10 of MSN 1676(M) except that ships having a rescue boat that is substantially in compliance with Schedule 2, Part 10 shall not be required to replace their rescue boat;

(ii) each fast rescue boat shall be served by a suitable launching appliance complying with the requirements of Schedule 6, Part 1 and 2 of MSN 1676(M): such launching appliances shall take into account that the fast rescue boat is intended to be launched and retrieved even under severe adverse weather condition;

(iii) at least two crews of each fast rescue boat shall be trained, certified and drilled regularly having regard to the Merchant Shipping (Training and Certification) Regulations 1997 including all aspects of rescue, handling, manoeuvring, operating these craft in various conditions, and righting them after capsize; and

(iv) if the arrangement or size of the ship is such as to prevent the installation of the fast rescue boat required by subparagraph (c)(i), the fast rescue boat may be installed in place of an existing lifeboat which is accepted as a boat for use in an emergency, provided that all of the following conditions are met:


(aa) the fast rescue boat installed is served by a launching appliance complying with the provisions of (c)(ii);

(bb) the capacity of the survival craft lost by the above substitution is compensated by the installation of liferafts capable of carrying at least an equal number of persons served by the lifeboat replaced;

(cc) such liferafts are served by the existing launching appliances or marine evacuation systems; and

(dd) every ship shall carry, for every person assigned to crew of a fast rescue boat, an immersion suit or anti-exposure suit of an appropriate size and complying with regulation 60.



(d) Means of rescue



(i) Each ro-ro passenger ship shall be equipped with an efficient means of rescue complying with the requirements of Schedule 5, Part 3 of MSN 1676(M) for rapidly recovering survivors from the water and transferring survivors from rescue units or survival craft to the ship;

(ii) the means of transfer or survivors to the ship may be part of a marine evacuation system, or may be part of a system designed for rescue purposes;

(iii) if the inclined passage of a marine evacuation system is intended to provide the means of transfer or survivors to the deck of the ship, the inclined passage shall be equipped with handlines or ladders to aid in climbing up the inclined passage; and

(iv) a fast rescue boat launching and recovery appliance may be used as part of a means of rescue system.



(e) Lifejackets

A sufficient number of lifejackets shall be stowed in the vicinity of the assembly stations so that passengers do not have to return to their cabins to collect their lifejacket.

(f) Helicopter emergency pick-up area

A helicopter emergency pick-up area shall be provided on a ro-ro ship complying with the requirements of IAMSAR.

Ships of Class II(A)
     9. Regulation 8 shall apply to ships of Class II(A) as it applies to ships of Class II.

    (18) Every ship which complies either with paragraph (5)(b) or (7)(b) shall be provided with an immersion suit for every person on board unless the ship is provided with davit-launched liferafts or a marine escape system, or is constantly engaged on voyages between parallels of latitude of 20° North and South.

Ships of Class VII(A)
     11  - (1) This regulation applies to ships of Class VII(A).

    (2) Every ship shall carry:

(a) lifeboats on each side of the ship of sufficient aggregate capacity to accommodate one half of the total number of persons on board; or

(b) lifeboats and liferafts together providing sufficient aggregate capacity to accommodate the total number of persons on board: providing that there shall never be less than sufficient lifeboats on each side of the ship to accommodate 37.5 per cent of the total number of persons on board.

    (3) Two of the lifeboats shall be kept ready, one on each side of the ship, for immediate use in an emergency while the ship is at sea. These lifeboats shall not be more than 8.5 metres in length and each of them may be a motor lifeboat and may be counted for the purpose of compliance with paragraph (4).

    (4) Every ship shall carry on each side of the ship at least one motor lifeboat.

    (5) Every ship shall be provided with the following equipment:

(a) a satellite EPIRB;

(b) at least 2 waterproofed two-way VHF radiotelephone apparatus, complying with the standards contained in IMO Resolution A.762(18); and

(c) on each side of the ship, at least one radar transponder stowed in such a location that it can be rapidly placed in any survival craft or, alternatively, one radar transponder stowed in each survival craft.

    (6) Every motor lifeboat carried in compliance with these Regulations shall be provided with the equipment specified in Schedule 12, Part 4.

    (7) In every ship of 1,600 tons or over the lifeboats shall be not less than 7.3 metres in length.

    (8) Each lifeboat shall be attached to a separate set of davits, which shall be of the gravity type.

    (9) The liferafts carried in compliance with paragraph (2)(b) shall be served by launching appliances. There shall never be less than one on each side of the ship; and the difference in the number of appliances fitted on each side shall not exceed one.

    (10) Every ship shall carry liferafts, which shall not be required to be served by launching devices, of sufficient aggregate capacity to accommodate at least half the total number of persons on board: provided that if liferafts in addition to those carried in compliance with this paragraph are carried in compliance with paragraph (2)(b), all liferafts carried shall be of a type capable of being launched by the appliances fitted in compliance with paragraph (9).

    (11) Every ship shall carry at least eight lifebuoys.

    (12)

(a) Every ship shall carry a lifejacket appropriate for every person on board.

(b) A sufficient number of additional lifejackets shall be carried for the use of persons on watch and at remotely located survival craft stations: provided that:


(i) there shall be at least 4 additional lifejackets on ships where the number of persons on board is 16 or less, and at least an additional 25 per cent of the number of lifejackets required to be carried by subparagraph (a) in the case of ships where the number on board is more than 16:

(ii) the number of additional lifejackets need not exceed the number of persons on board.



(b) Each lifejacket required to be carried by subparagraphs (a) and (b) shall be fitted with a lifejacket light complying with the requirements of Schedule 9, Part 1 of MSN 1676(M), except for ships with lifejacket lights before 1st July 1998 not in accordance with such requirements, in which case such lights shall be replaced not later than the first periodical survey after 1st July 2002.

    (13) Every ship shall carry a line-throwing appliance.

    (14) Every ship shall carry for each lifeboat on the ship at least 3 immersion suits and, in addition, a thermal protective aid for every person on board not provided with an immersion suit. Immersion suits and thermal protective aids need not be carried for persons to be accommodated in totally or partially enclosed lifeboats or on a ship which is constantly engaged on voyages between parallels of latitude of 20° North and South.

Ships of Class VII(T)
     12.  - (1) This regulation applies to ships of Class VII(T).

    (2) Paragraphs (2), (3), (4), (7), (8), (9), (12), (13), (14), (15), (16), (17) and (18) of regulation 10 shall apply to ships of Class VII(T) as they apply to ships of Class VII.

    (3) Every ship of 3,000 tons or over shall carry on each side of the ship at least two lifeboats of sufficient aggregate capacity to accommodate the total number of persons on board. Two lifeboats shall be carried aft and two amidships: except that in ships which have no amidships superstructure all lifeboats shall be carried aft: unless it is impracticable to carry four lifeboats aft, in which case one lifeboat on each side of the ship may be permitted, on condition that:

(a) each lifeboat shall not exceed 8.5 metres in length;

(b) each lifeboat shall be stowed as far forward as practicable and so stowed that the aft end of the lifeboat is at least one-and-a-half times the length of the lifeboat forward of the ship's propeller; and

(c) each lifeboat shall be stowed as near the sea level as is safe and practicable.

    (4) In every ship to which regulation 10(2) or paragraph (3) above applies each lifeboat shall be attached to a separate set of davits, which shall be of the gravity type, except that in ships of less than 1,600 tons luffing davits may be fitted for operating lifeboats weighing not more than 2,300 kgs in their turning out condition.

    (5) In every ship of 1,600 tons or over at least one of the lifeboats carried on each side of the ship in compliance with regulation 10(2) or paragraph (3) above shall be a motor lifeboat.

Ships of Class VIII
     13. Regulation 10 shall apply to ships of Class VIII as it applies to ships of Class VII.

Ships of Class VIII(T)
     14. Regulation 12 shall apply to ships of Class VIII(T) as it applies to ships of Class VII(T).

Ships of Class VIII(A)
     15.  - (1) This regulation applies to ships of Class VIII(A).

    (2) Paragraphs (2), (3), (4), (8) and (9) of regulation 10 shall apply to ships of Class VIII(A) of 1,600 tons or over as they apply to ships of Class VII of 500 tons or over.

    (3) Paragraphs (7) and (9) of regulation 10 shall apply to ships of Class VIII(A) of under 1,600 tons as they apply to ships of Class VII of under 500 tons.

    (4) Paragraphs (12), (13), (14), (15), (16), (17) and (18) of regulation 10 shall apply to ships of Class VIII(A) as they apply to ships of Class VII and regulation 10(10) shall apply to such ships which carry lifeboats as prescribed by regulation 10(2).

Ships of Class VIII(A)(T)
     16.  - (1) This regulation applies to ships of Class VIII(A)(T).

    (2) Paragraphs (2), (3), (4), (8) and (9) of regulation 10 shall apply to ships of Class VIII(A)(T) of 1,600 tons or over as they apply to ships of Class VII of 500 tons or over.

    (3) Paragraphs (7) and (9) of regulation 10 shall apply to ships of Class VIII(A)(T) of under 1,600 tons as they apply to ships of Class VII of under 500 tons.

    (4) Paragraphs (2), (3) and (4) of regulation 12 shall apply to ships of Class VIII(A)(T) as they apply to ships of Class VII(T).

    (5) Paragraphs (12), (13), (14), (15), (16), (17) and (18) of regulation 10 shall apply to ships of Class VIII(A)(T) as they apply to ships of Class VII.

Ships of Class IX
     17.  - (1) This regulation applies to ships of Class IX.

    (2) Paragraphs (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), (10) and (11) of regulation 10 shall apply to ships of Class IX of 500 tons or over, engaged on an international voyage, as it applies to Class VII of 500 tons or over.

    (3) Every ship, other than a ship of 500 tons or over engaged on an international voyage, shall carry:

(a) a lifeboat of Class C boat or inflated boat which shall be capable of being launched on one side of the ship;

(b) one or more liferafts of sufficient aggregate capacity to accommodate the total number of persons on board, and in the case of a ship with 16 or more persons on board, at least two liferafts; and

(c) buoyant apparatus sufficient to support the total number of persons on board.

    (4) In every ship, liferafts (other than those fitted in compliance with regulation 10(5)(b)(i)) shall be so stowed that they can be readily transferred to the water on either side of the ship.

    (5) Paragraphs (12), (13), (14), (15), (16), (17) and (18) of regulation 10 shall apply to ships of Class IX as they apply to ships of Class VII.

Ships of Class IX(A)
     18.  - (1) This regulation applies to ships of Class IX(A).

    (2) Every ship of 12.2 metres in length or over shall, when in Category A, B, C and D waters, carry:

(a) a boat or liferaft in either case sufficient to accommodate the total number of persons on board; and

(b) in the case of ships of 21.3 metres in length or over, at least four lifebuoys; and,

(c) in the case of ships of less than 21.3 metres in length but of not less than 12.2 metres in length, at least two lifebuoys.

    (3) Every ship of 12.2 metres in length or over when in Category A, B and C waters, and every such ship of less than 12.2 metres in length, shall carry lifebuoys of a number at least equal in number to half the total number of persons on board: provided that ships of 21.3 metres in length or over shall carry at least four lifebuoys and ships of less than 21.3 metres in length shall carry at least two lifebuoys.

    (4) Every tug and tender shall carry, in addition to the equipment required by paragraphs (2) and (3), buoyant apparatus sufficient to support the total number of persons on board.

    (5) Every ship of 12.2 metres in length or over shall carry a lifejacket appropriate for every person on board.

    (6) Liferafts carried in accordance with this regulation shall be so stowed that they can be readily transferred to the water on either side of the ship.

Ships of Class IX(A)(T)
     19. Regulation 18 shall apply to ships of Class IX(A)(T) as it applies to ships of Class IX(A).

Ships of Class IX
     20.  - (1) This regulation applies to ships of Class IX.

    (2) Every ship shall carry either:

(a)


(i) at least two lifeboats, attached to davits, so arranged that there is at least one lifeboat on each side of the ship, the lifeboats on each side of the ship being of sufficient aggregate capacity to accommodate one half of the total number of persons on board the ship; and

(ii) at least two liferafts on ships with 16 or more persons on board or at least one liferaft on ships with fewer than 16 persons on board, of sufficient aggregate capacity to accommodate the total number of persons on board; or



(b) a lifeboat of Class C boat or inflated boat which shall be capable of being launched on one side of the ship and at least two liferafts of sufficient aggregate capacity to accommodate twice the total number of persons on board.

    (3) Liferafts carried in accordance with this regulation shall be so stowed that they can be readily transferred to the water on either side of the ship.

    (4) In every ship to which paragraph (2)(a) applies, the lifeboat davits shall be of the gravity type except that luffing davits may be fitted for operating lifeboats weighing not more than 2,300 kgs in their turning out condition.

    (5) Every ship shall carry at least four lifebuoys.

    (6)

(a) Every ship shall carry a lifejacket appropriate for every person on board.

(b) A sufficient number of additional lifejackets shall be carried for the use of persons on watch and at remotely located survival craft stations; there shall be at least 4 additional lifejackets on ships where the number of persons on board is 16 or less, and at least an additional 25 per cent of the number of lifejackets required to be carried by subparagraph (a) in the case of ships where the number on board is more than 16: provided that the number of additional lifejackets need not exceed the number of persons on board.

(c) Each lifejacket required to be carried by paragraphs (a) and (b) shall be fitted with a lifejacket light complying with the requirements of Schedule 9, Part 1 of MSN 1676(M), except for ships with lifejacket lights not in accordance with these requirements, in which case such lights shall be replaced not later than the first periodical survey after 1st July 2001.

    (7) Every ship shall carry a line-throwing appliance.

    (8) Every ship shall be provided with the following equipment:

(a) a satellite EPIRB;

(b) in the case of a ship of 500 tons or over, at least 3 waterproofed two-way VHF radiotelephone apparatus and in the case of a ship of under 500 tons, at least 2 waterproofed two-way radiotelephone apparatus of which at least one shall be portable, in either case complying with the standards contained in IMO Resolution A.762(18); and

(c) in the case of a ship of 500 tons or over, on each side of the ship at least one radar transponder, and in the case of a ship of under 500 tons at least one radar transponder, and any such radar transponders shall be stowed in such locations that they can rapidly be placed in any survival craft or, alternatively, one radar transponder shall be stowed in each survival craft.

    (9) Every ship shall carry for each lifeboat on the ship at least 3 immersion suits and, in addition, a thermal protective aid for every person on board not provided with an immersion suit. In the case of a ship which complies with paragraph (2)(b) an immersion suit shall be carried for every person on board. Immersion suits and thermal protective aids need not be carried if:

(a) totally enclosed lifeboats are carried;

(b) davit-launched liferafts are carried; or

(c) the ship is constantly engaged on voyages between the parallels of latitude of 20° North and South.

Ships of Class XII
     21.  - (1) This regulation applies to ships of Class XII.

    (2) Every ship of 21.3 metres in length or over shall carry:

(a) at least two liferafts of sufficient aggregate capacity to accommodate twice the total number of persons on board;

(b) at least four lifebuoys; and

(c) a line-throwing appliance;

and every ship of 25.9 metres in length or over shall carry in addition a lifeboat, Class C boat or inflated boat which shall be capable of being launched on one side of the ship.

    (3) Every ship of less than 21.3 metres in length which is engaged on either a voyage to sea in the course of which it is more than 3 miles from the coast of the United Kingdom or a voyage to sea during the months of November to March inclusive, shall carry:

(a) one or more liferafts of sufficient aggregate capacity to accommodate the total number of persons on board; and

(b) at least two lifebuoys.

    (4) Every ship of less than 21.3 metres in length which does not proceed to sea or which only proceeds to sea during the months of April to October inclusive, on voyages in the course of which it is not more than 3 miles from the coast of the United Kingdom, shall carry lifebuoys at least equal in number to half the total number of persons on board: provided that such ships shall carry at least two lifebuoys and that any such ship which operates only in Category A, B and C waters shall not be required to carry more than two lifebuoys.

    (5) Every ship of less than 21.3 metres in length shall be provided with a buoyant line of at least 18 metres in length.

    (6) Liferafts carried in accordance with this regulation shall be so stowed that they can be readily transferred to the water on either side of the ship.

    (7)

(a) Every ship shall carry either - 


(i) a lifejacket appropriate for every person on board; or

(ii) for every person on board, a lifejacket which complies with British Standard Specification BS 3595; 1981 or BS EN 394 and BS EN 3961994, provided it does not depend wholly upon oral inflation. If such lifejacket is of the partially inherently buoyant type, the buoyancy of the jacket in the uninflated state shall be not less than 89 Newtons for every lifejacket for a person weighing 32 kilogrammes or more; and



(b) Each lifejacket required to be carried by sub-paragraphs (a) and (b) shall be fitted with a lifejacket light complying with the requirements of Schedule 9, Part 1 of MSN 1676(M), except for ships with lifejacket lights not in accordance with these requirements, in which case all such lights shall be replaced not later than the first periodical survey after 1st July 2002.

    (3) Two of the lifebuoys to which self-igniting lights are attached in accordance with paragraphs (1)(a), (b) and (c) and the lifebuoy to which a self-igniting light is attached in accordance with paragraph (1)(d) shall be provided with a self-activating smoke signal complying with the requirements of Schedule 8, Part 5 of MSN 1676(M).

    (4) Two of the lifebuoys provided with self-igniting lights in accordance with subparagraphs (1)(a), (b) and (c) and self-activating smoke signals in accordance with paragraph (3) shall be carried on each side of the ship and be capable of quick release from the navigating bridge.

Line-throwing appliances
     25. Ships of less than 12 metres in length need not comply with the requirements for throwing appliances contained in regulations 7(13), 8(16), 10(16), 11(13) and 20(7).

Retro-reflective material
     26. Life-saving appliances carried on ships of Classes I to XI inclusive, and ships of Class XII which proceed to sea, shall be fitted with retro-reflective material where it will, and the dimensions and location of the retro-reflective material shall be in accordance with Schedule 16 of MSN 1676(M).

Stowage and handling of lifeboats, Class C boats, inflated boats and other boats
     28.  - (1) Subject to the provisions of paragraphs (2), (3) and (4) every lifeboat attached to a set of davits, other than a lifeboat which is carried as an alternative to a Class C boat, inflated boat or other boat, shall be so arranged that, even under unfavourable conditions of trim and of up to 15 degrees of list either way, it can be put into the water when loaded with its full complement of persons and equipment required by these Regulations.

    (2) Any lifeboat which is carried as an alternative to a Class C boat, inflated boat or other boat, and any Class C boat, inflated boat or other boat which is attached to a davit or set of davits other than a mechanically controlled single arm davit, shall be so arranged that when loaded with its equipment required by these Regulations and a launching crew of two persons it can be put into the water on one side of the ship when the ship is upright or is listed to 15 degrees towards that side.

    (3) Every lifeboat, Class C boat, inflated boat, or other boat attached to a mechanically controlled single-arm davit shall be so arranged that when loaded with its equipment required by these Regulations and a launching crew of two persons, it can be put into the water on one side of the ship when the ship is upright or is listed up to 15 degrees towards that side.

    (4) Every lifeboat or Class C boat carried in compliance with regulation 10(5)(b) or (7)(b), 15(2), 17(3)(a), 20(2)(b) or 21(2), and every boat carried in compliance with regulation 18(2), if not attached to a davit or set of davits, shall be attached to a device which shall be provided primarily for the purpose of launching the boat, and which shall be capable of putting the boat into the water on one side of the ship when it is loaded with its equipment required by these Regulations and a launching crew of two persons, and when the ship is upright or is listed up to 15 degrees towards that side.

    (5) Every inflated boat carried in compliance with regulation 10(5)(b) or (7)(b), 15(2), 17(3)(a), 20(2)(b) or 21(2) shall be attached to a launching appliance, which shall be capable of launching and recovering the inflated boat when the ship is upright or listed to 15 degrees towards the side on which the appliance is fitted: provided that the boat shall be so stowed that it is capable of being manhandled overboard without the use of the launching device.

    (6) Not more than one lifeboat, Class C boat, inflated boat or other boat shall be attached to any davit, set of davits or other means of launching.

    (7) Lifeboats may be stowed on more than one deck on condition that proper measures are taken to prevent lifeboats on lower decks being fouled by those stowed on the decks above.

    (8) Lifeboats shall be positioned as close to accommodation and service spaces as possible. They shall be stowed in such positions as to ensure safe launching, having particular regard to clearance from the propeller, steeply overhanging portions of the hull, and the ability, so far as practicable, to be launched down the straight side of the ship. If positioned forward they shall be stowed abaft the collision bulkhead in a sheltered position and the strength of the davits shall be adequate for the location.

    (9) Davits shall be suitablye placed on the ship.

    (10) Davits, winches, falls, blocks and all other launching gear provided in accordance with these Regulations shall comply with the requirements of Schedule 10 or 11.

    (11)

(a) All lifeboats, Class C boats, inflated boats or other boats attached to davits shall be served by wire rope falls and winches in the following cases:


(i) when they are attached to gravity davits;

(ii) when they are attached to mechanically controlled single-arm davits;

(iii) when they are fitted in any ship of Classes I or II, or in any ship of Class VII(A) in compliance with regulation 11(2);

(iv) when they are fitted in any ship of Classes VII, VII(T), VIII, VIII(T) or IX in compliance with regulation 10(2), (5) or (7) (including those paragraphs as applied to such Classes); or

(v) when the weight of the attached lifeboat, Class C boat, inflated boat or other boat in the lowering condition exceeds 2,300 kgs:



provided that the Secretary of State may permit other types of falls to be fitted, with or without winches, in cases other than emergency lifeboats, where he is satisfied that such falls are adequate.

(b) In every ship in which lifeboats, Class C boats, inflated boats or other boats are served by wire rope falls, winches shall be provided for handling such falls.

(c) Emergency lifeboats carried in compliance with regulations 7(3), 8(4) or 11(3) shall be served by winches which are capable of recovering them at a speed of not less than 0.3 metres per second when the lifeboat is loaded with its equipment required by these Regulations and a distributed load equal to 1,000 kgs.

    (12) Efficient hand gear shall be provided for the recovery of all lifeboats, Class C boats, inflated boats or other boats which are served by winches.

    (13) Where davits or other launching devices are recovered by action of the falls by power, safety devices shall be fitted which will automatically cut off the power, if necessary, before the davits come against the stops to ensure that the wire rope falls or davits are not over-stressed.

    (14) Except in the case of lifeboats required by regulations 7(2), 8(4) and 11(2), to facilitate the launching of lifeboats against a list of 15 degrees, skates or other suitable means shall be provided for any lifeboat stowed under davits which are of such strength that the lifeboat can be lowered with its full complement of persons and its equipment required by these Regulations.

    (15) Means shall be provided for bringing the lifeboats, which are required to be capable of being lowered in the fully loaded condition, against the ship's side and for holding them there for the safe embarkation of persons.

    (16) In ships other than ships in which the lifeboat, Class C boat, inflated boat or other boat is attached to a mechanically controlled single-arm davit, the davits shall be fitted with a wire rope span so positioned that when the boat is in the lowering position the span is as near as practicable over the centre line of the boat. There shall be at least two lifelines fitted to the span long enough to reach water with the ship at her lightest seagoing draught and listed to 15 degrees either way.

    (17)

(a) Lifeboats, Class C boats, inflated boats and other boats attached to davits shall have the falls ready for service, and the falls shall be at least long enough to reach the water with the ship at her lightest sea-going draught and listed to 15 degrees either way.

(b) Means shall be provided for detaching the lifeboats, Class C boats, inflated boats or other boats from the falls.

(c) Lower fall blocks, if provided, shall be fitted with a suitable ring or long link for attaching to the sling hooks, unless disengaging gear complying with Schedule 2, Part 6 is fitted.

(d) The points of attachment of the Lifeboats, Class C boats, inflated boats and other boats to the falls shall be at such height above the gunwale as to ensure stability when lowering the lifeboats, Class C boats, inflated boats or other boats.

    (18) Every emergency lifeboat carried in compliance with regulation 7(3), 8(4) and regulation 11(3) shall be provided with means for facilitating the attachment of the lower fall blocks to the lifting arrangements of the boat when the boat is recovered from the sea in adverse weather conditions. For this purpose a pendant of adequate strength and suitable length shall be provided for each davit and one end of the pendant shall be attached to the lower fall block and the other end to the lifting arrangement on the boat. Additionally, means shall be provided for hanging off the boat after hoisting to enable the lower fall block to be attached directly to the lifting hook.

    (19) When - 

(a) a lifeboat is attached to a davit, set of davits or other launching device which is not of sufficient strength for the lifeboat to be safely lowered into the water loaded with its full complement of persons and equipment required by this Part of these Regulations under the conditions of trim and specified in this Part of these Regulations for the Class of ship, or

(b) a Class C boat, inflated boat or other boat is not of sufficient strength to be safely lowered into the water loaded with its full complement of persons and equipment required by this Part of these Regulations,

the davit or the launching device shall be conspicuously marked with a red band 150 millimetres wide painted on a white background.

Stowage and handling of liferafts, buoyant apparatus, lifebuoys and lifejackets
     29.  - (1) Liferafts and buoyant apparatus shall be so stowed that they can be put into the water safely even under unfavourable conditions of trim and of up to 15 degrees of list either way.

    (2)

(a) Launching appliances shall be provided in every ship of Classes I, II, II(A) and VII(A) which carry liferafts in accordance with regulations 7(2)(b), 8(8)(c) or 11(2)(b).

(b) Every liferaft launching appliance shall be so arranged that even under unfavourable conditions of trim and of up to 15 degrees of list either way each liferaft which is designed for use with such an appliance can be launched when loaded with its full complement of persons and equipment.

(c) The requirements of regulation 28(8) shall apply to liferafts for which approved launching devices are required to be carried, as they apply to lifeboats.

(d) Means shall be provided for bringing liferafts for which launching appliances are provided against the ship's side and for holding them there for the safe embarkation of persons.

    (3)

(a) Lifebuoys shall be so distributed as to be readily available on both sides of the ship and as far as practicable on all open decks extending to the ship's side. At least one lifebuoy shall be placed in the vicinity of the stern.

(b) Lifebuoys shall be so stowed as to be capable of being rapidly cast loose, and shall not be permanently secured in any way.

(c) Except as otherwise provided, lifebuoys with lights and those with lights and smoke signals shall be equally distributed on both sides of the ship.

    (4) Lifejackets shall be so stowed as to be readily accessible to all persons on board. Their position shall be clearly and permanently indicated.

    (4) Ships of Classes I, II, II(A), VII, VII(A), VII(T), VIII, VIII(A), VIII(A)(T) and IX shall be provided with means situated outside the engine room whereby any discharge of water into the lifeboats or into liferafts at fixed launching positions, including those under launching appliances, can be prevented.

    (5) For ro-ro passenger ships of Classes I, II and II(A) the term "muster station" shall be replaced with "assembly station" on all signs and in all emergency procedure instructions.

Manning of survival craft
     31.  - (1) This regulation applies to ships of Classes I, II, II(A), VII, VII(A), VII(T), VIII, VIII(T) and ships of Classes IX and XI engaged on international voyages.

    (2) There shall be sufficient members of the crew to operate the survival craft and the launching arrangements when evacuating all on board. The minimum number of deck officers, certificated persons and others for this purpose shall be determined in accordance with Merchant Shipping Notice No. M.1682.

    (3) A deck-officer or certificated person shall be placed in charge, and a deck officer or certificated person shall be nominated second-in-command of each lifeboat to be used.

    (4) A deck officer or certificated person shall be placed in charge of each liferaft to be used. In ships of Classes II and II(A) the person in charge may be a crew member practised in the handling and operation of liferafts.

    (5) The person in charge of survival craft shall have a list of the survival craft crew and shall ensure that the crew under his command are acquainted with their duties. In lifeboats the second-in-command shall also have a list of the lifeboat crew.

    (6) In ships carrying liferafts served by launching appliances a deck officer or certificated person shall be assigned to each launching appliance.

    (7) In ships carrying liferafts not served by launching appliances a deck officer or certificated person shall be assigned to each launching position.

    (8) A person capable of operating the engine and carrying out minor adjustments shall be assigned to every motor lifeboat.

    (9) A person capable of operating a radiotelegraph installation shall be assigned to every lifeboat required to carry such equipment.

    (10) There shall be a sufficient number of trained persons on board for mustering and assisting untrained persons.

    (11) The master shall ensure the equitable distribution of persons referred to in paragraphs (2), (3), (4) and (10) when compiling the muster list referred to in regulation 4(2) of the Merchant Shipping (Musters and Training) Regulations 1986[15].

Portable radio equipment
     32.  - (1) The two-way radiotelephone apparatus required to be carried in compliance with regulations 7(5), 8(11), 10(12), 11(5) and 20(8), which are not stowed in survival craft, shall be kept in a suitable place ready to be moved into survival craft in case of emergency.

    (2) In ships where there is substantial fore and aft separation between superstructures or deck houses, the two-way radiotelephone apparatus shall not all be located in any one superstructure or deck house.

Electrically operated signals
     33. Every ship of Class I shall be provided throughout the ship with electrically operated signals controlled from the bridge for summoning passengers to assembly stations.

Electric lighting
     34.  - (1) In e