13.1 General Requirements

  13.1.1 Life-Saving Appliances should be provided in accordance with Table 1 - Life-Saving Appliances.

  13.1.2 All equipment fitted should be of a type which has been accepted by the Administration as complying with IMO Lifesaving Appliances Code and IMO Resolution MSC.81(70).

  13.1.3 Additional life-saving equipment which is provided should meet the requirements of 13.1.2.

When personal safety equipment is provided for use in water sports activities, arrangements for its stowage should ensure that it will not be used mistakenly as life-saving equipment in an emergency situation.

  13.1.4 All life-saving equipment carried should be fitted with retro-reflective material in accordance with the recommendations of IMO Resolution A.658(16) as amended.

  13.1.5 Liferaft embarkation arrangements should comply with the following:

• .1 Where the distance between the embarkation deck and the top of the liferaft buoyancy tube exceeds 1 metre with the vessel in its lightest condition, an embarkation ladder is to be provided. A means for fastening is to be provided and ladders are to be readily available for use at all times.

• .2 Where the distance between the embarkation deck and the top of the liferaft buoyancy tube exceeds 4.5 metres with the vessel in its lightest condition, davit launched liferafts and at least one launching appliance for launching are to be provided on each side of the vessel.

  13.1.6 Falls for launching devices are to comply with IMO Lifesaving Appliances Code. When falls are of stainless steel, they should be renewed at intervals not exceeding the service life recommended by the manufacturer, or where no service life is stated be treated as galvanised steel falls. Falls of alternative materials may be considered by the Administration.

  13.1.7 Every inflatable or rigid inflatable rescue boat, inflatable lifejacket, inflatable liferaft and hydrostatic release unit other than a disposable hydro static release unit should be serviced, at intervals not exceeding 12 months unless extended service intervals have been approved by the Administration; at a manufacturers approved service station.

  13.1.8 All repairs and maintenance of permanently inflated rescue boats should be carried out in accordance with the manufacturers’ instructions; emergency repairs may be carried out onboard; however, permanent repairs should be effected at an approved servicing station.

  13.1.9 Maintenance of equipment should be carried out in accordance with the instructions for onboard maintenance.

  13.1.10 The stowage and installation of all life-saving appliances is to be to the satisfaction of the Administration.

  13.1.11 All life-saving appliances should be in working order and be ready for immediate use at the commencement of, and at all times during, the voyage.

  13.1.12 For a vessel equipped with stabiliser fins or having other projections at the sides of the hull, special consideration should be given, and provisions made, as necessary to avoid possible interference with the safe evacuation of the vessel in an emergency.

  13.1.13 Means should be provided to prevent overboard discharge of water into survival craft.