for persons to be accommodated in totally enclosed life boats; or
if the ship is constantly engaged on voyages in warm climates where in the opinion of the Administration they are unnecessary, having regard to the recommendations in IMO MSC/Circ.1046.
| a Survival craft may be lifeboats or life rafts or a combination of them in compliance with the provisions in Regulation III/2.2 When justified by the sheltered nature of the voyages and/or the favourable climatic conditions of the area of operation, having regard to the recommendations in IMO MSC/Circ.1046, the Administration of the flag State may accept, if this is not rejected by the host Member State: (a) open reversible inflatable life-rafts not complying with the section 4.2 or 4.3 of the LSA Code provided that such life-rafts entirely comply with the requirements in Annex 10 of 1994 High Speed Craft Code and for ships constructed on or after 1 January 2012, Annex 11 of the 2000 High Speed Craft Code; (b) life-rafts not complying with the requirements of paragraphs 4.2.2.2.1 and 4.2.2.2.2 of the LSA Code on the insulation against cold of the floor of the life-raft. Survival craft for existing B, C and D ships shall comply with the relevant Regulations of SOLAS 74 for existing ships as amended on 17 March 1998. Ro-ro passenger ships shall comply with the requirements in Regulation III/5-1 as applicable. A marine evacuation system or systems complying with section 6.2 of the LSA Code may be substituted for the equivalent capacity of life-rafts required by the table, including its launching appliances where applicable. | ||||||
| b Survival craft shall, as far as practicable, be equally distributed on each side of the ship. | ||||||
| c The total/aggregated capacity of survival craft, including additional life rafts, shall be in accordance with the requirements in the table above, i.e. 1,10N = 110 % and 1,25N = 125 % of the total number of persons (N) the ship is certified to carry. Sufficient number of survival craft has to be carried in order to ensure that in the event of any one survival craft being lost or rendered unserviceable, the remaining survival craft can accommodate the total number of persons the ship is certified to carry. If the stowage requirement for life rafts, in Regulation III/7.5 not is complied with, additional life rafts can be required. | ||||||
| d The number of lifeboats and/or rescue boats, shall be sufficient to ensure that in providing for abandonment by the total number of persons the ship is certified to carry, no more than nine life-rafts need to be marshalled by each lifeboat or rescue boat. | ||||||
| e Launching appliances for rescue boats shall comply with the requirements of Regulation III/10. If a rescue boat complies with the requirements section 4.5 or 4.6 of the LSA Code it may be included in the capacity of the survival craft specified in the table above. A lifeboat may be accepted as a rescue boat provided that it and its launching and recovery arrangements also comply with the requirements of a rescue boat. At least one of the rescue boats, if such a boat is required to be carried, on ro-ro passenger ships shall be a fast rescue boat complying with the requirements of Regulation III/5-1.3. When the Administration of the flag State considers that the installation, of a rescue boat or a fast rescue boat, on board of a ship is physically impossible, such ship may be exempted from carrying a rescue boat, provided the ship meets all of the following requirements: (a) the ship is arranged to allow a helpless person to be recovered from the water; (b) recovery of the helpless person can be observed from the navigating bridge; and (c) the ship is sufficiently manoeuvrable to close and recover persons in the worst intended conditions. | ||||||
| f At least one lifebuoy on each side shall be equipped with a buoyant lifeline equal in length to not less than twice the height at which it is stowed above the waterline in the lightest seagoing condition or 30 metres, whichever is the greater. Two lifebuoys shall be equipped with a self-activating smoke signal and a self-activating light; they shall be capable of quick release from the navigation bridge. The remainder of the lifebuoys shall be equipped with self-igniting lights, in compliance with the provisions of paragraph 2.1.2 of the LSA Code. | ||||||
| g Distress flares, complying with the requirements of section 3.1 of the LSA Code shall be stowed on the navigation bridge or steering position. | ||||||
| h An inflatable life jacket shall be provided for each person that has to carry out work on board in exposed areas. These inflatable life jackets may be included in the total number of life jackets required by this Directive. | ||||||
| i A number of lifejackets suitable for children equal to at least 10 % of the number of passengers on board shall be provided or such greater number as may be required to provide a lifejacket for each child. | ||||||
| j A number of lifejackets suitable for infant equal to at least 2,5 % of the number of passengers on board shall be provided or such greater number as may be required to provide a lifejacket for each infant. | ||||||
| l All ships shall carry a sufficient number of lifejackets for persons on watch and for use at remotely located survival craft stations. The lifejackets carried for persons on watch should be stowed on the bridge, in the engine control room and at any other manned watch station. Not later than the first periodical survey after 1 January 2012 all passenger ships shall comply with the provisions in footnote 12 and 13. | ||||||
| k If the adult lifejackets provided are not designed to fit persons weighing up to 140 kg and with a chest girth of up to 1 750 mm, a sufficient number of suitable accessories shall be available on board to allow them to be secured to such persons. | ||||||
| m On all passenger ships each life jacket shall be fitted with light complying with the requirements of paragraph 2.2.3 of the LSA Code. All ro-ro passenger ships shall comply with the provisions in Regulation III/5.5.2. | ||||||
| Ship’s class: | B | C | D | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of persons (N) Number of passengers (P) | > 250 | ≤ 250 | > 250 | ≤ 250 | > 250 | ≤ 250 |
| Survival craft capacitya b c d: | ||||||
—existing ships | 1,1 N | 1,1 N | 1,1 N | 1,1 N | 1,1 N | 1,1 N |
—new ships | 1,25 N | 1,25 N | 1,25 N | 1,25 N | 1,25 N | 1,25 N |
| Rescue boatsd e | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Lifebuoysf | 8 | 8 | 8 | 4 | 8 | 4 |
| Life jacketsh i k m | 1,05 N | 1,05 N | 1,05 N | 1,05 N | 1,05 N | 1,05 N |
| Child life jacketsi m | 0,1 P | 0,1 P | 0,1 P | 0,1 P | 0,1 P | 0,1 P |
| Infant life jacketsj m | 0,025 P | 0,025 P | 0,025 P | 0,025 P | 0,025 P | 0,025 P |
| Distress flaresg | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 6 | 6 |
| Line-throwing appliances | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — |
| Radar transponders | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Two-way VHF radiotelephone apparatus | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 |
Every ship shall be provided with:
It must comply with the requirements of paragraph 7.2.1.1 of the LSA Code, and be suitable for summoning passengers and crews to assembly stations and to initiate the actions included in the assembly list.
In all ships carrying more than 36 passengers the emergency alarm system shall be supplemented by a public address system that can be used from the bridge. The system shall be of a such nature and so arranged and located that messages read out over the system are readily audible for persons whose hearing is normal, in all places where persons are likely to stay when the main engine is in operation.
The general emergency alarm systems shall be audible throughout all the accommodation, normal crew working spaces and on all open decks and minimum sound pressure levels for the emergency alarm tone shall be in accordance with paragraphs 7.2.1.2 and 7.2.1.3 of the LSA Code.
The minimum sound pressure levels for broadcasting emergency announcements shall be in accordance with paragraph 7.2.2.2 of the LSA Code.
Clear instructions to be followed in the event of an emergency shall be provided for every person on board, in accordance with SOLAS Regulation III/8.
Assembly lists and emergency instructions complying with the requirements of SOLAS Regulation III/37 shall be exhibited in conspicuous places throughout the ship including the navigating bridge, engine room and crew accommodation spaces.
Illustrations and instructions in appropriate languages shall be posted in passenger cabins and be conspicuously displayed at assembly stations and other passenger spaces to inform passengers of:
their assembly station;
the essential actions they must take in an emergency;
the method of donning life jackets.
Posters or signs shall be provided on or in the vicinity of survival craft and their launching controls and shall:
illustrate the purpose of controls and the procedures for operating the appliance and give relevant instructions or warnings;
be easily seen under emergency lighting conditions;
use symbols in accordance with IMO Resolution A.760(18) as amended (by IMO Resolution MSC.82(70)).
A training manual complying with the requirements of SOLAS Regulation III/35 shall be provided in each crew messroom and recreation room or in each crew cabin.
Instructions for on-board maintenance of life-saving appliances or a shipboard planned maintenance programmes which includes the maintenance of life-saving appliances, shall be provided on board and maintenance shall be carried out accordingly. The instructions shall be in compliance with the requirements of SOLAS Regulation III/36.
On ships constructed before 1 July 1998, each muster station shall have sufficient space to accommodate all persons assigned to muster at that station.
Such lighting shall be capable of being supplied by the emergency source of electrical power required by Regulations II-1/D/3 and II-1/D/4.
In addition to and as part of the markings required under Regulation II-2/B 6.1.7 for new class B, C and D ships, routes to assembly stations shall be indicated with the assembly station symbol, intended for that purpose, in accordance with IMO Resolution A.760(18) as amended. This requirement shall also be applied to existing class B ships, carrying more than 36 passengers.
On ships fitted with a marine evacuation system communication between the embarkation station and the platform of the survival craft shall be ensured.
Communication between the embarkation station and the platform shall be ensured.
Notwithstanding the above, when marine evacuation systems on ro-ro passenger ships are replaced or such ships undergo repairs, alterations or modifications of a major character which involve replacement of, or any addition to, their existing life saving appliances or arrangements, the ro-ro passenger ship’s life rafts shall be served with marine evacuation systems complying with section 6.2 of the LSA Code or launching appliances complying with paragraph 6.1.5 of the LSA Code equally distributed on each side of the ship.
Communication between the embarkation station and the platform shall be ensured.
Alternatively, the ship shall/can carry automatically self-righting liferafts or canopied reversible life-rafts in addition to its normal complement of life-rafts, of such aggregate capacity as will accommodate at least 50 % of the persons not accommodated in lifeboats.
This additional life-raft 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. Every such life-raft shall be approved by the administration of the flag State having regard to the recommendations in IMO MSC/ Circ.809.
the fast rescue boat installed is served by a launching appliance complying with the provisions of paragraph .3.2;
the capacity of the survival craft lost by the above substitution is compensated by the installation of life-rafts capable of carrying at least an equal number of persons served by the lifeboat replaced; and
such life-rafts are served by the existing launching appliances or marine evacuation systems.
These means shall be approved by the flag State having regard to the recommendations in IMO MSC/Circ.810.
fire;
damage to ship;
pollution;
unlawful acts threatening the safety of the ship and the security of its passengers and crew;
personnel accidents; and
cargo-related accidents;
emergency assistance to other ships.
Launching stations shall be in such positions as to ensure safe launching having particular regard to clearance from the propeller and steeply overhanging portions of the hull, and so that survival craft can be launched down the straight side of the ship. If positioned forward they shall be positioned abaft the collision bulkhead, in a sheltered position.
so that neither the survival craft nor its stowage arrangements will interfere with other survival craft launching operations;
as near to the water surface as is safe and practicable; for a davit-launched survival craft the height of the davit head, with the survival craft in embarkation position, shall, as far as practicable, not exceed 15 metres to the waterline when the ship is in its lightest seagoing condition, and the position of a davit launched survival craft in the embarkation position shall be such that it stays clear of the waterline with the ship in the fully loaded condition under all conditions of trim of up to 10° and listed up to 20° either way for new ships, respectively up to at least 15° either way for existing ships, or to the angle at which the ship’s weatherdeck becomes submerged, whichever is less;
in a state of continuous readiness so that two crew members can prepare it for embarkation and launching within 5 minutes;
as far forward of the propeller as is practicable; and
fully equipped, as required by the relevant SOLAS Regulations, except that the life-rafts, as defined in note 1(a) or 1(b) to the table of Regulation III/2, may be exempted from some of the SOLAS requirements for equipment as mentioned in this note;
with its painter attached to the ship;
with a float-free arrangement, complying with the requirements paragraph 4.1.6 of the LSA Code enabling the life-raft to float free and, if inflatable, to inflate automatically when the ship sinks. One float-free arrangement may be used for two or more life-rafts if the float-free arrangement is sufficient to comply with the requirements paragraph 4.1.6 of the LSA Code;
so as to permit manual release from its securing arrangements.
be stowed close to the container containing the MES;
be capable of release from its stowage rack with arrangements which will enable it to be moored and inflated alongside the boarding platform;
be capable of release as an independent survival craft; and
be provided with retrieving lines to the boarding platform.
Rescue boats shall be stowed:
in a state of continuous readiness for launching in no more than 5 minutes and if the inflated type, in a fully inflated condition at all times;
in a position suitable for launching and recovery;
so that neither the rescue boat nor its stowage arrangements will interfere with the operation of any survival craft at any other launching station;
if it is also a lifeboat, in compliance with the requirements of Regulation 7.
The shipside shall not have any openings between the embarkation station of the marine evacuation system and the waterline in the lightest seagoing condition and means shall be provided to protect the system from any projections.
Marine evacuation systems shall be in such position as to ensure safe launching having particular regard to clearance from the propeller and steeply overhanging positions of the hull and so that, as far as practicable, the system can be launched down the straight side of the ship.
Each marine evacuation system shall be stowed so that neither the passage nor the platform nor its stowage or operational arrangements will interfere with the operation of any other life-saving appliance at any other launching station.
Where appropriate, the ship shall be so arranged that the marine evacuation systems in their stowed positions are protected from damage by heavy seas.
FOR EXISTING CLASS B, C AND D SHIPS:
survival craft which are boarded from a position on deck which is less than 4,5 metres above the waterline in the lightest seagoing condition and which either:
have a mass of not more than 185 kg; or
are stowed for launching directly from the stowed position under all conditions of trim of up to 10° and list up to at least 15° either way; or
survival craft which are carried in excess of the survival craft for 110 % of the total number of persons on board; or survival craft provided for use in conjunction with a marine evacuation system (MES) complying with the requirements of section 6.2 of the LSA Code and stowed for launching directly from the stowed position under all conditions of trim of up to 10° and list of up to 20° either way.
FOR NEW CLASS B, C AND D SHIPS:
where, subject to survival craft and rescue boat embarkation arrangements being effective within the environmental conditions in which the ship is likely to operate and in all undamaged and prescribed damage conditions of trim and heel, the freeboard between the intended embarkation position and the waterline in the lightest seagoing condition is not more than 4,5 metres, the Administration of the flag State may accept a system where persons board life-rafts directly.
In addition there shall be provision for hanging-off the lifeboat to free the release gear for maintenance.
Rescue boat embarkation and recovery arrangements shall allow for safe and efficient handling of a stretcher case. Foul weather recovery strops shall be provided for safety if heavy fall blocks constitute a danger.
Whenever new passengers embark a passenger safety briefing shall be given immediately before or after departure. This briefing shall at least include the instructions required by Regulation III/3.3. It shall be made by means of an announcement in one or more languages likely to be understood by the passengers. The announcement shall be made on the ship’s public address system or by other suitable means likely to be heard at least by the passengers who have not yet heard it during the voyage.
Each member of the crew shall participate in at least one abandon ship drill and one fire drill every month. The drills of the crew shall take place before departure of the ship if more than 25 % of the crew have not participated in abandon ship and fire drills on board that particular ship in the previous month. When a ship enters into service for the first time, after modification of a major character or when a new crew is engaged, the above mentioned drills shall be held before sailing.
If lifeboat and rescue boat launching drills are carried out with the ship making headway, such drills shall, because of the dangers involved, be practised in sheltered waters only and under the supervision of an officer experienced in such drills, having regard to the guidelines in IMO Resolution A.624(15) “Guidelines on training for the purpose of launching lifeboats and rescue boats from ships making headway throw the water”, and the guidelines in IMO Resolution A.771(18) “Recommendations on training requirements for crews on fast rescue boats”.
The Administration of the flag State may allow ships not to launch the lifeboats on one side if their berthing arrangements in port and their trading patterns do not permit launching of lifeboats on that side. However, all such lifeboats shall be lowered at least once every 3 months and launched at least annually.