(1) Lifebuoy specification
Every lifebuoy shall:
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(i) have an outer diameter of not more than 800
mm and an inner diameter of not less than 400 mm;
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(ii) be constructed of inherently buoyant material;
it shall not depend upon rushes, cork shavings or granulated cork,
any other loose granulated material or any air compartment which depends
on inflation for buoyancy;
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(iii) be capable of supporting not less than 14.5
kg of iron in fresh water for a period of 24 h;
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(iv) have a mass of not less than 2.5 kg;
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(v) not sustain burning or continue melting after
being totally enveloped in a fire for a period of 2 s;
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(vi) be constructed to withstand a drop into the
water from the height at which it is stowed above the waterline in
the lightest seagoing condition or 30 m, whichever is the greater,
without impairing either its operating capability or that of its attached
components;
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(vii) if it is intended to operate the quick-release
arrangement provided for the self-activated smoke signals and self-igniting
lights, have a mass sufficient to operate the quick-release arrangement
or 4 kg, whichever is the greater;
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(viii) be fitted with a grabline not less than
9.5 millimetres in diameter and not less than four times the outside
diameter of the body of the buoy in length. The grabline shall be
secured at four equidistant points around the circumference of the
buoy to form four equal loops.
(2) Lifebuoy self-igniting lights
Self-igniting lights required by regulation 10(2) shall:
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(i) be such that they cannot be extinguished by
water;
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(ii) be capable of either burning continuously
with a luminous intensity of not less than 2 cd in all directions
of the upper hemisphere or flashing (discharge flashing) at a rate
of not less than 50 flashes per minute with at least the corresponding
effective luminous intensity;
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(iii) be provided with a source of energy capable
of meeting the requirement of subparagraph (ii) for a period of at
least 2 h;
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(iv) be capable of withstanding the drop test
required by paragraph (1)(vi).
(3) Lifebuoy self-activating smoke signals
Self-activating smoke signals required by regulation 10(3) shall:
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(i) emit smoke of a highly visible colour at a
uniform rate for a period of at least 15 min when floating in calm
water;
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(ii) not ignite explosively or emit any flame
during the entire smoke emission time of the signal;
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(iii) not be swamped in a seaway;
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(iv) continue to emit smoke when fully submerged
in water for a period of a least 10 s;
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(v) be capable of withstanding the drop test required
by paragraph (1)(vi)