10.7.1 Launching appliances complying with the
requirements of the LSA Code should be provided for all lifeboats
and davit-launched liferafts.
10.7.2 Launching and recovery arrangements should
be such that the appliance operator on the unit is able to observe
the survival craft at all times during launching and lifeboats during
recovery.
10.7.3 Only one type of release mechanism should
be used for similar survival craft carried on board the unit.
10.7.4 Preparation and handling of survival craft
at any one launching station should not interfere with the prompt
preparation and handling of any other survival craft or rescue boat
at any other station.
10.7.5 Falls, where used, should be long enough
for the survival craft to reach the water with the unit under unfavourable
conditions, such as maximum air-gap, lightest transit or operational
condition or any damaged condition, as described in chapter 3.
10.7.6 During preparation and launching, the survival
craft, its launching appliance and the area of water into which it
is to be launched should be adequately illuminated by emergency lighting.
10.7.7 Means should be available to prevent any
discharge of fluids on to survival craft during abandonment.
10.7.8 All lifeboats required for abandonment
by the total number of persons permitted on board, should be capable
of being launched with their full complement of persons and equipment
within 10 min from the time the signal to abandon the unit is given.
10.7.9 Manual brakes should be so arranged that
the brake is always applied unless the operator, or a mechanism activated
by the operator, holds the brake control in the “off”
position.
10.7.10 Each survival craft should be so arranged
as to clear each leg, column, footing, brace, mat and each similar
structure below the hull of a self-elevating unit and below the upper
hull of a column-stabilized unit, with the unit in an intact condition.
The Administration may allow a reduction in the total number of survival
craft when the unit is in the transit mode and the number of personnel
on board has been reduced. In such cases, sufficient survival craft
to meet the provisions of this chapter, including section 10.3, should
be available for use by those personnel remaining on board.
10.7.11 In any case of damage specified in chapter 3, lifeboats with an aggregate capacity
of not less than 100% of persons on board should, in addition to meeting
all other provisions regarding the launching and stowage contained
in this chapter, be capable of being launched clear of any obstruction.
10.7.12 Consideration should be given to the location
and orientation of the survival craft with reference to MODU design
such that clearance of the unit is achieved in an efficient and safe
manner having due regard to the capabilities of the survival craft.
10.7.13 Notwithstanding the requirement of paragraph
6.1.2.8 of the LSA Code, the speed of lowering need not be greater
than 1 m/s.