13.2.3 Rescue Boats and Recovery of Persons from the Sea

13.2.3(a) Means should be provided for the recovery of a person from the sea to the vessel and it should be assumed that the person is unconscious or unable to assist in the rescue. This requirement is satisfied by the following sections as appropriate to the size of the vessel. If an overside boarding ladder or scrambling net is provided the ladder or net should extend from the weather deck to at least 600mm below the lowest operational waterline.

13.2.3(b) All rescue boats covered within this section are to be equipped to the requirements of the IMO Lifesaving Appliance Code Ch V/5.1.2. Additionally, rescue boats need not be capable of being launched from both sides, and means to lower the boat from within the boat is not required.

13.2.3(c) Launching stations should be in such positions as to ensure safe launching having particular regard to clearance from the propeller and steeply overhanging portions of the hull and so that, as far as possible, the rescue boat can be launched down the straight side of the ship whilst maintaining minimum speed to keep a course.

13.2.3(d) If stowed forward the launching appliance and rescue boat should be entirely located in a sheltered position abaft the vertical extension of the aft most portion of the collision bulkhead.

13.2.3.1 Vessels of 500GT and over

13.2.3.1.1 All vessels of 500GT and over should be provided with a rescue boat meeting SOLAS requirements in all respects, except for the colour where white will also be considered acceptable.

13.2.3.1.2 The launching appliances should comply and be approved in accordance with the IMO Lifesaving Appliance Code except that when a power operated crane is fitted, it should be capable of operation either by hand or by an emergency source of power in the event of a main power failure. The routing of the emergency source of power should be considered in respect of damaged waterlines and fire.

13.2.3.2 Vessels under 500GT

13.2.3.2.1 Vessels under 500GT should be provided with a rescue boat either meeting the requirements of 13.2.3.1 or the following:

13.2.3.2.2 A boat which is not SOLAS approved but which is suitable for rescue purposes. The boat may be rigid, rigid inflated, or inflated, and should have a capacity for not less than 4 persons, one of which should be assumed to be lying down. Tubes of rigid inflatable or inflatable boats should have a minimum of 3 buoyancy compartments. The boat is to be capable of displaying a highly visible colour. If the equipment as required is stowed in a grab bag, it may be stowed in the boat or in an easily accessible location close to the rescue boat.

13.2.3.2.3 Launching appliances should be either of an approved type or comply with the following requirements:

13.2.3.2.4 The appliance should be able to launch the boat within 5 minutes. When a power operated device is fitted, it should be capable of operation either by hand or by an emergency source of power in the event of a main power failure. The routing of the emergency source of power should be considered in respect of damaged waterlines and fire.

13.2.3.2.5 The launching appliance and its attachments should be constructed to withstand a static proof load on test of not less than 2.2 times the maximum working load. Acceptable factors of safety are 6 for wires, hooks and sheaves, and 4.5 for the remainder of the launching appliance. The appliance and its attachments should also be tested dynamically to 1.1 times the working load. It should be noted that there is no requirement to recover the rescue boat provided that the casualty and the boat's crew can be recovered on board from the boat in the water.

The design of the falls and winch system should take account of the principles of IMO Lifesaving Appliances Code Ch VI/6.1.2

13.2.3.2.6 Where it is proposed to use the running rigging on sailing vessels, the above requirements should also be met.

13.2.3.3 Short Range Yachts

13.2.3.3.1 Vessels operating as Short Range Yachts should comply either comply with requirements of 13.2.3.1 or 13.2.3.2, or the following:

13.2.3.3.2 The vessel should have sufficient mobility and manoeuvrability in a seaway to enable persons to be retrieved from the water. For assessing this ability it is not considered acceptable to retrieve persons over the stern of the vessel or adjacent to the propeller(s). The recovery location should be visible from the conning position at all times during the recovery, although this may be achieved by the use of remote controls where necessary.

13.2.3.3.3 The vessel should be provided with suitable equipment and/or arrangements to enable the person(s) to be recovered without further persons entering the water.