The Fishing Vessels (Safety Provisions) Rules 1975

SCHEDULE 9 REQUIREMENTS FOR LIFERAFTS

Rule 85

PART I INFLATABLE LIFERAFTS

Every inflatable liferaft shall comply with the following requirements:—

(a) the liferaft shall be so constructed that, when fully inflated and floating with the cover uppermost, it shall be stable in a seaway;

(b) the liferaft shall be so constructed that if it is dropped into the water from a height of 18 metres, neither the liferaft nor its equipment will be damaged;

(c) the construction of the liferaft shall include a cover of a highly visible colour which shall automatically be set in place when the liferaft is inflated. This cover shall be capable of protecting the occupants against injury from exposure, and means shall be provided for collecting rain. The top of the cover shall be fitted with a lamp which derives its luminosity from a sea-activated cell and a similar lamp shall also be fitted inside the liferaft;

(d) the liferaft shall be fitted with a painter and shall have a lifeline becketed round the outside. A lifeline shall also be fitted round the inside of the liferaft;

(e) the liferaft shall be capable of being readily righted by one person if it inflates in an inverted position;

(f) the liferaft shall be fitted at each opening with efficient means to enable persons in the water to climb on board;

(g) the liferaft shall be contained in a valise or other container so constructed as to be capable of withstanding hard wear under conditions encountered at sea. The liferaft in its valise or other container shall be inherently buoyant;

(h) the buoyancy of the liferaft shall be so arranged as to ensure by a division into an even number of separate compartments, half of which shall be capable of supporting out of the water the number of persons which the liferaft is fit to accommodate, or by some other equally efficient means, that there is a reasonable margin of buoyancy if the raft is damaged or partially fails to inflate;

(i) the total weight of the liferaft, its valise or other container and its equipment shall not exceed 180 kilogrammes;

(j) the number of persons which a liferaft shall be deemed fit to accommodate shall be equal to—

(i) the greatest whole number obtained by dividing by ·096 the volume measured in cubic metres of the main buoyancy tubes (which for this purpose shall include neither the arches nor the thwart or thwarts if fitted) when inflated; or

(ii) the greatest whole number obtained by dividing by 3720 the area measured in square centimetres of the floor (which for this purpose may include the thwart or thwarts if fitted) of the liferaft when inflated;

whichever number shall be the less;

(k) the floor of the liferaft shall be waterproof and shall be capable of being sufficiently insulated against cold, either—

(i) by means of one or more compartments which the occupants can inflate if they so desire, or which inflate automatically and can be deflated and re-inflated by the occupants; or

(ii) by other equally efficient means not dependent on inflation;

(l) the liferaft shall be inflated by a gas which is not injurious to the occupants and the inflation shall take place automatically either on the pulling of a line or by some other equally simple and efficient method. Means shall be provided whereby a topping-up pump or bellows may be used to maintain pressure;

(m) the liferaft shall be of suitable material and construction, and shall be so constructed as to be capable of withstanding exposure for 30 days afloat in all sea conditions;

(n) every liferaft which is designed for use with a launching appliance shall be properly constructed for the purpose for which it is intended and shall be of sufficient strength to permit it to be safely lowered into the water when loaded with its full complement of persons and equipment;

(o) the liferaft shall have a carrying capacity calculated in accordance with subparagraph (j) above of not less than six persons or more than 25 persons; provided that in vessels in which the total number of persons on board is less than six the minimum carrying capacity of the liferaft shall be four persons;

(p) the liferaft shall be capable of operating throughout a temperature range of 66°C to minus 30°C;

(q) the liferaft shall be fitted with arrangements enabling it to be readily towed;

(r) every liferaft carried on a vessel which is provided with portable radio equipment which complies with the specification set forth in Part I of Schedule 13 to these Rules shall be provided with arrangements for accommodating properly in the operating position the aerial referred to in the specification set out in the said Schedule to these Rules.

Rule 85

PART II RIGID LIFERAFTS

Every rigid liferaft shall comply with the following requirements:—

(a) the liferaft shall be so constructed that if it is dropped into the water from its stowed position neither the liferaft nor its equipment will be damaged;

(b) any liferaft which is designed for use with a launching appliance shall be properly constructed for the purpose for which it is intended and shall be of sufficient strength to permit it to be safely lowered into the water when loaded with its full complement of persons and equipment;

(c) the liferaft shall be so constructed that its air cases or buoyant material are placed as near as possible to its sides;

(d) the deck area of the liferaft shall be situated within that part of the liferaft which affords protection to its occupants. The nature of the deck shall be such as to prevent so far as practicable the ingress of water and it shall effectively support the occupants out of the water;

(e) the liferaft shall be fitted with a cover or equivalent arrangement of a highly visible colour, which shall be capable of protecting the occupants against injury whichever way up the liferaft is floating;

(f) the equipment of the liferaft shall be so stowed as to be readily available whichever way up the liferaft is floating;

(g) the total weight of any liferaft and its equipment shall not exceed 180 kilogrammes except that such total weight may be exceeded where the liferaft is capable of being launched from both sides of the vessel or if means are provided for putting it into the water mechanically on either side of the vessel;

(h) the liferaft shall at all times be effective and stable when floating either way up;

(i) the number of persons which the liferaft shall be deemed fit to accommodate shall be equal to—

(i) the greatest whole number obtained by dividing by .096 the volume measured in cubic metres of the air cases or buoyant material; or

(ii) the greatest whole number obtained by dividing by 3720 the deck area of the liferaft measured in square centimetres;

whichever number shall be the less;

(j) the liferaft shall have a painter attached and a lifeline securely becketed round the outside. A lifeline shall also be fitted round the inside of the liferaft;

(k) the liferaft shall be fitted at each opening with efficient means to enable persons in the water to climb on board;

(l) the liferaft shall be so constructed as not to be affected by oil or oil products;

(m) a buoyant light of the electric battery type shall be attached to the liferaft by a lanyard;

(n) the liferaft shall be fitted with arrangements enabling it to be readily towed;

(o) liferafts shall be so stowed as to float free in the event of the vessel sinking;

(p) every liferaft carried on a vessel which is provided with portable radio equipment which complies with the specification set forth in Part I of Schedule 13 to these Rules shall be provided with arrangements for accommodating properly in the operating position the aerial referred to in the specification set out in the said Schedule.