Regulation 22 - Rigid liferafts
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Statutory Documents - IMO Publications and Documents - International Conventions - SFV - International Convention for the Safety of Fishing Vessels (The Torremolinos Convention)Regulations for the Construction and Equipment of Fishing Vessels - Chapter VII - Life-Saving Appliances and Arrangements - Part C - Life-Saving Appliances Requirements - Regulation 22 - Rigid liferafts

Regulation 22 - Rigid liferafts

  (1) Rigid liferafts shall comply with the requirements of regulation 20 and, in addition, shall comply with the requirements of this regulation.

  (2) Construction of rigid liferafts

  • (a) The buoyancy of the liferafts shall be provided by approved inherently buoyant material placed as near as possible to the periphery of the liferaft. The buoyant material shall be fire-retardant or be protected by a fire-retardant covering.

  • (b) The floor of the liferaft shall prevent the ingress of water and shall effectively support the occupants out of the water and insulate them from cold.

  (3) Carrying capacity of rigid liferafts

 The number of persons which a liferaft shall be permitted to accommodate shall be equal to the lesser of:

  • (i) the greatest whole number obtained by dividing by 0.096 the volume, measured in cubic metres, of the buoyancy material multiplied by a factor of 1 minus the specific gravity of that material; or

  • (ii) the greatest whole number obtained by dividing by 0.372 the horizontal cross-sectional area of the floor of the liferaft measured in square metres; or

  • (iii) the number of persons having an average mass of 75 kg all wearing lifejackets, that can be seated with sufficient comfort and headroom without interfering with the operation of any of the liferaft's equipment.

  (4) Access into rigid liferafts

  • (a) At least one entrance shall be fitted with a rigid boarding ramp to enable persons to board the liferaft from the sea. In the case of a davit-launched liferaft having more than one entrance, the boarding ramp shall be fitted at the entrance opposite to the bowsing and embarkation facilities.

  • (b) Entrances not provided with a boarding ramp shall have a boarding ladder, the lowest step of which shall be situated not less than 0.4 m below the liferaft's light waterline.

  • (c) The shall be means inside the liferaft to assist persons to pull themselves into the liferaft from the ladder.

  (5) Stability of rigid liferafts

  • (a) Unless the liferaft is capable of operating safely whichever way up it is floating, its strength and stability shall be such that it is either self-righting or can be readily righted in a seaway and in calm water by one person.

  • (b) The stability of the liferaft when loaded with its full complement of persons and equipments shall be such that it can be towed at speeds of up to 3 knots in calm water.

  (6) Rigid liferaft fittings

  • (a) The liferaft shall be fitted with an efficient painter. The breaking strength of the painter system, including its means of attachment to the liferaft, except the weak link required by regulation 20(6)(b), shall be not less than 10.0 kN for liferafts permitted to accommodate nine persons or more, and not less than 7.5 kN for any other liferaft.

  • (b) A manually controlled lamp visible on a dark night with a clear atmosphere at a distance of at least 2 miles for a period of not less than 12 h shall be fitted to the top of the liferaft canopy. If the light is a flashing light it shall flash at a rate of not less than 50 flashes per minute for the first 2 h of operation of the 12 h operating period. The lamp shall be powered by a sea-activated cell or a dry chemical cell and shall light automatically when the liferaft canopy is set in place. The cell shall be of a type that does not deteriorate due to damp or humidity in the stowed liferaft.

  • (c) A manually controlled lamp shall be fitted inside the liferaft, capable of continuous operation for a period of at least 12 h. It shall light automatically when the canopy is set in place and be of sufficient intensity to enable reading of survival equipment instructions.

  (7) Markings on rigid liferafts

 The liferafts shall be marked with:

  • (i) name and port of registry of the vessel to which it belongs;

  • (ii) maker's name or trade mark;

  • (iii) serial number;

  • (iv) name of approving authority;

  • (v) number of persons it is permitted to accommodate over each entrance in characters not less than 100 mm in height of a colour contrasting with that of the liferaft;

  • (vi) SFV;footnote

  • (vii) type of emergency pack enclosed;

  • (viii) length of painter;

  • (ix) maximum permitted height of stowage above waterline (drop-test height);

  • (x) launching instructions.

  (8) Davit-launched rigid liferafts

 In addition to the above requirements, a rigid liferaft for use with an approved launching appliance shall, when suspended from its lifting hook or bridle, withstand a load of four times the mass of its full complement of persons and equipment.

Parent topic: Part C - Life-Saving Appliances Requirements
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