The Merchant Shipping (Life-Saving Appliances for Passenger Ships of Classes III to VI (A)) Regulations 1992

Regulations 2(3), 5, 6, 7(3), 7(4), 8 and 9

SCHEDULE 13 BUOYANT APPARATUS

General

1.1  All buoyant apparatus shall:

1.1.1 be constructed with proper workmanship and materials;

1.1.2 be of such construction that it retains its shape and properties when exposed to the weather on board ship and when in the water. It shall be constructed so as not to require adjustment prior to use; and

1.1.3 be corrosion-resistant and not affected by sea water, oil or oil products.

Construction

2.1  The buoyant apparatus shall be so constructed to withstand a minimum drop into the water from a height of 10 metres. If the buoyant apparatus is to be stowed at a height of more than 10 metres above the waterline in the lightest seagoing condition, it shall be of a type which has satisfactorily drop-tested from at least that height.

2.2  Buoyant apparatus shall be effective and stable when floating either way up. It shall be capable of supporting a weight of iron, suspended in fresh water from the grab lines, of 22.5 kilograms per metre of length along any edge (subject to a minimum of 29 kilogrammes), without immersing any part of the upper surfaces of the apparatus.

2.3  The air cases or equivalent buoyancy shall be placed as near as possible to the sides of the apparatus, this buoyancy is not to be dependant upon inflation. The buoyant material shall not be adversely affected by oil or oil products.

2.4  Buoyant apparatus shall not exceed 185 kilogrammes in weight unless suitable means are provided to enable it to be launched without lifting by hand. If the weight of the apparatus exceeds 135 kilogrammes suitable handles or rungs are to be fitted for this purpose.

2.5  The number of persons which the buoyant apparatus shall be permitted to support shall be equal to the lesser of:

2.5.1 the greatest whole number obtained by dividing by 14.5 the number of kilogrammes of iron which the apparatus is capable of supporting from its grab lines in fresh water; or

2.5.2 the greatest whole number obtained by dividing the perimeter in metres by 0.3.

Buoyant Apparatus Fittings

3.1  Grab Lines

3.1.1 Buoyant grablines shall be securely fitted all around the apparatus so as to provide an equal number of loops corresponding to the number of persons the apparatus is fit to support.

3.1.2 Each loop shall have a depth of not less than 150 millimetres and not more than 200 millimetres. On apparatus exceeeding 300 millimetres in overall depth two rows of grablines shall be fitted, one having its points of attachment below the top of the air cases and the other above the bottom of the air cases and as close to the sides of the air cases as practical. On apparatus of 300 millimetres or less in overall depth, one row of grab lines are to be attached along the line of the mid depth.

3.1.3 Grab lines shall be of buoyant rope of not less than 14 millimetres in diameter. They may be attached to the apparatus by being passed through holes in the framing and being interlaced to prevent movement, or attached by means of wrought iron or steel fastenings. Whichever method is adopted the attachment is to be of sufficient strength to permit the apparatus to be lifted by the grab lines.

3.2  The buoyant apparatus shall be fitted with an efficient painter of length at least equal to the height from its stowed position to the lightest sea going condition plus 5 metres.

3.3  Retro-reflective material required in accordance with regulation 22 is to be fitted on all surfaces of the buoyant apparatus.

Marking of Buoyant Apparatus

4.1  Each apparatus should be marked as follows;

4.1.1 maker’s name or trademark;

4.1.2 serial number; 4.1.3 “DOT (UK) APPROVED” and the number of persons it is permitted to support; and

4.1.4 maximum permitted height of stowage above waterline.