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

SHIPS OTHER THAN PASSENGER SHIPS

Ships of Class VII

10.—(1) This regulation applies to ships of Class VII.

(2) Subject to paragraph (5), every ship of 500 tons or over shall carry on each side of the ship one or more lifeboats of sufficient aggregate capacity to accommodate all persons on board.

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

(4) Subject to paragraph (5), every ship of 500 tons or over shall carry liferafts of sufficient aggregate capacity to accommodate at least the total number of persons on board. At least two of the liferafts shall be of approximately the same capacity.

(5) In lieu of complying with paragraphs (2) and (4) every ship of 500 tons or over but under 1,600 tons, shall carry:

(a) liferafts on each side of the ship capable of being launched readily, and of sufficient aggregate capacity to accommodate the total number of persons on board; the liferaft capacity being approximately evenly divided. If these liferafts cannot be readily launched on each side of the ship, there shall be provided additionally the liferafts prescribed in paragraph (4) stowed in accordance with paragraph (9); and

(b) (i) a motor lifeboat;

(ii) a Class C boat fitted with a motor complying with Schedule 2, Part 3, if over 4.3 metres in length, or with Schedule 2, Part 4, if under 4.3 metres in length; or

(iii) an inflated boat fitted with a motor complying with Schedule 4, Part 3.

• The boat prescribed in subparagraph (b)(i), (ii) or (iii) shall be capable of being launched on one side of the ship with its equipment and a launching crew of two persons when the ship is upright or listed up to 15 degrees towards the side on which the boat is fitted and shall be launched and recovered by a davit complying with the requirements of Schedule 10 or Schedule 11; where a winch is provided, it shall comply with Schedule 10.

(6) In every ship provided with the liferafts prescribed in paragraph (5)(a) where the distance from the embarkation position to the water in the lightest sea-going condition exceeds 4.5 metres, the rafts shall be of a type designed for use with a launching appliance. The launching appliances shall comply with the requirements of regulation 29 and Schedule 11; at least one launching appliance shall be provided on each side of the ship and not more than two liferafts shall be allocated to each launching appliance.

(7) Every ship of under 500 tons shall carry either:

(a) the lifeboats prescribed in paragraph (2) for ships of 500 tons or over and liferafts of sufficient aggregate capacity to accommodate all persons on board. Such ships with 16 persons or more on board shall carry at least two liferafts; 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.

(8) Every ship where survival craft are stowed in a position which is more than 100 metres from the stem or stern shall carry, in addition to the liferafts required by paragraph (4), a liferaft stowed as far forward or aft, or one as far forward and another as far aft, as is reasonable and practicable.

(9) Liferafts carried under this regulation, except those liferafts fitted in compliance with paragraph (5)(a) shall be so stowed that they can be readily transferred to the water on either side of the ship.

(10) In every ship to which paragraph (2) applies each lifeboat shall be attached to a separate set of davits which 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.

(11) In every ship of 1,600 tons or over, one of the lifeboats carried in compliance with paragraph (2) shall be a motor lifeboat.

(12) 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 VHF radiotelephone apparatus, 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. The radar transponders shall be stowed in such locations that they can rapidly be placed in any survival craft other than the liferaft or liferafts required by regulation 10(8). Alternatively, one radar transponder shall be stowed in each survival craft other than those required by regulation 10(8).

(13) Every ship of 500 tons or over shall carry at least eight lifebuoys.

(14) Every ship of less than 500 tons shall carry at least four lifebuoys.

(15) (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 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 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 fitted before 1st July 1998 not in accordance with these requirements, in which case such lights shall be replaced not later than the first periodical survey after 1st July 2002.

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

(17) Every ship, except a ship which complies with either subparagraphs (5)(b) or (7)(b) 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: provided that immersion suits and thermal protective aids need not be carried if:

(a) the lifeboats required under paragraph (2) and paragraph (7)(a) are totally enclosed;

(b) a totally enclosed lifeboat capable of free-fall launching is carried in lieu of the lifeboats required under paragraph (2) and paragraph (7)(a); or

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

(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.