The Fishing Vessels (Safety Provisions) Rules 1975

Requirements for vessels of 24.4 metres in length and over but less than 45 metres in length

78.—(1) Every vessel of 24.4 metres in length and over but less than 45 metres in length to which these Rules apply shall carry either:—

(a) (i) a lifeboat attached to a mechanically controlled single arm davit of sufficient capacity to accommodate the total number of persons on board the vessel; and

(ii) liferafts on the following scale:—

• vessels with 16 or more persons on board—at least two liferafts of sufficient aggregate capacity to accommodate the total number of persons on board;

• vessels with fewer than 16 persons on board—at least one liferaft of sufficient capacity to accommodate the total number of persons on board; or

(b) (i) a lifeboat, Class C boat or suitable inflatable boat which shall be capable of being launched on one side of the vessel; and

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

(2) In every such vessel liferafts carried in compliance with this Rule shall be so stowed that they can be readily transferred to the water on either side of the vessel.

(3) Every such vessel shall carry:—

(a) a portable radio equipment which shall comply with Schedule 13 to these Rules provided that the batteries of any radio equipments which comply with Part II of the said Schedule shall be renewed annually. Such radio equipment shall be kept in a suitable place ready to be moved into a lifeboat or a liferaft in case of emergency and, in vessels where the disposition of superstructures or deckhouses is such that the main transmitter and lifeboats or liferafts are a substantial distance apart, such equipment shall be kept in the vicinity of those lifeboats or liferafts which are furthest away from the main transmitter;

(b) for every person on board weighing 32 kilogrammes or more a lifejacket which shall comply with the requirements of Part I of Schedule 11 to these Rules and for every person on board weighing less than 32 kilogrammes a lifejacket which shall comply with the requirements of Part II of the said Schedule;

(c) a line-throwing appliance;

(d) at least four lifebuoys which shall comply with the following provisions:—

(i) half the lifebuoys carried shall have self-igniting lights attached. Two of the lifebuoys having such lights attached shall be provided with self activating smoke signals capable of producing smoke of a highly visible colour for at least 15 minutes;

(ii) one lifebuoy on each side of the vessel shall have attached to it a buoyant line of at least 27 metres in length but any such lifebuoy having a line attached shall not have a self-igniting light;

(iii) the two lifebuoys equipped with self-igniting lights and self-activating smoke signals shall be carried one on each side of the navigating bridge, and if reasonably practicable, so fitted as to be capable of quick release;

(e) not less than 12 parachute distress rocket signals which comply with the requirements of Schedule 18 to these Rules.