8.6.1 Survival craft shall be securely stowed
outside and as close as possible to the passenger accommodation and
embarkation stations. The stowage shall be such that each survival
craft can be safely launched in a simple manner and remain secured
to the craft during and subsequent to the launching procedure. The
length of the securing lines and the arrangements of the bowsing lines
shall be such as to maintain the survival craft suitably positioned
for embarkation. The Administrations may permit the use of adjustable
securing and/or bowsing lines at exits where more than one survival
craft is used. The securing arrangements for all securing and bowsing
lines shall be of sufficient strength to hold the survival craft in
position during the evacuation process.
8.6.2 Survival craft shall be so stowed as to
permit release from their securing arrangements at or near to their
stowage position on the craft and from a position at or near to the
operating compartment.
8.6.3 So far as is practicable, survival craft
shall be distributed in such a manner that there is an equal capacity
on both sides of the craft.
8.6.4 The launching procedure for inflatable liferafts
shall, where practicable, initiate inflation. Where it is not practicable
to provide automatic inflation of liferafts (for example, when the
liferafts are associated with a MES), the arrangement shall be such
that the craft can be evacuated within the time specified in 4.8.1.
8.6.5 Survival craft shall be capable of being
launched and then boarded from the designated embarkation stations
in all operational conditions and also in all conditions of flooding
after receiving damage to the extent prescribed in chapter 2.
8.6.6 Survival craft launching stations shall
be in such positions as to ensure safe launching having particular
regard to clearance from the propeller or waterjet and steeply overhanging
portions of the hull.
8.6.7 During preparation and launching, the survival
craft and the area of water into which it is to be launched shall
be adequately illuminated by the lighting supplied from the main and
emergency sources of electrical power required by chapter 12.
8.6.8 Means shall be available to prevent any
discharge of water onto survival craft when launched.
8.6.9 Each survival craft shall be stowed:
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.1 so that neither the survival craft nor its
stowage arrangements will interfere with the operation of any other
survival craft or rescue boat at any other launching station;
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.2 in a state of continuous readiness;
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.3 fully equipped; and
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.4 as far as practicable, in a secure and sheltered
position and protected from damage by fire and explosion.
8.6.10 Every liferaft shall be stowed with its
painter permanently attached to the craft and with a float free arrangement
complying with the requirements of paragraph
4.1.6 of the LSA Code so that, as far as practicable, the liferaft
floats free and, if inflatable, inflates automatically should the
high speed craft sink.
8.6.11 Rescue boats shall be stowed:
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.1 in a state of continuous readiness for launching
in not more than 5 min;
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.2 in a position suitable for launching and recovery;
and
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.3 so that neither the rescue boat nor its stowage
arrangements will interfere with the operation of survival craft at
any other launching station.
8.6.12 Rescue boats and survival craft shall be
secured and fastened to the deck so that they at least withstand the
loads likely to arise due to a defined horizontal collision load for
the actual craft and the vertical design load at the stowage position.