Requirements for LSA:

Constructed with proper workmanship and materials. Not to be damaged from -30 to 65 deg air temp. Should be of a distinctive colour such that it is easy to detect. Should be rot proof, corrosion resistant etc. Should operate in seawater temp -1 to 30 deg. Resistant to deterioration from exposure to sunlight. Fitted with retro reflective materials to facilitate detection. Short circuit protection to prevent damage or injury. Clearly marked with approval info and any operational info.

Batteries with no expiration dates should be replaced annually.

Lifebuoys.

Outer dia not more than 800mm and inner not less than 400mm. Constructed from inherently buoyant material. Support 14.5kg of iron in FW for 24hrs. Min mass 2.5kgs. Resistant to flame up to 2s. Able to sustain a drop of 30m or the height of stowage, whichever is greater. Fitted with grab line of 9.5mm in dia and 4times the outer dia in length.

Readily available on both sides of the ship on all open decks. 1 in the vicinity of the stern. At least 1 on each side with a buoyant lifeline. Length not less than twice the distance from the stowage position to the waterline or 30m, whichever is greater. At least 50% lifebuoys to be fitted with self igniting lights. 2 buoys with lights to have smokes and be able to be released from the bridge. All types to be evenly distributed on both sides. Marked with the ships name and port of registry. For passenger ships Under 60m 8 60 120 12 120 180 18 180 240 24 240 above 36

For cargo ships

Under 100 8 100 150 10 150 200 12 200 above 14 Lifebuoy self igniting lights:

Cannot be extinguished by water. White colour. Burn continuously for at least 2hrs. Intensity of 2cd. 50-70 flashes per minute. Able to withstand the drop test.

Lifebuoy smoke signals:

Emit smoke of a highly visible colour at a uniform rate for at least 15min when floating in calm water. Not ignite, explode or emit any flame during the smoke period. Not be swamped in a seaway. Continue to emit smoke when fully submerged for at least 10s. Able to withstand drop test.

Buoyant lifelines:

Non kinking. Min dia 8mm. Min breaking strength 5kN.

Life jackets. Shall not sustain burning or melt after an exposure of 2s. Buoyancy not to be reduced by 5% after 24hrs of immersion in FW. Fitted with a whistle firmly secured by a cord.

Provided for every person onboard. Child life jackets 10% of the passengers on board or one for each child, whichever is greater. Sufficient number for the watch keepers kept on the bridge, ECR and other manned stations. Sufficient number at remotely located survival craft stations. Should not interfere with the entry into any survival craft or in seating. All lifejackets to be fitted with lights. On passenger vessels, in addition 5% o the total number of persons onboard.

Adult lifejacket:

75% of people who are completely unfamiliar with it can don within a period of 1min without guidance or assistance. After demonstration every1 can don within 1min. Capable of being worn in 1 way only. Comfortable to wear. Allows the wearer to jump at least 4.5m into the water without injury, damage or dislodging the lifejacket. Sufficient buoyancy and stability in FW to lift the mouth at least 120mm from the water with the body inclined backwards by at least 20deg from the vertical. Time period to bring the body in this position is max 5s. Allow the person to swim and board a boat.

Child lifejacket:

Assistance permitted for small children. Lift the mouth clear of the water only by a distance appropriate to the size of the wearer. Wearer mobility not to be restricted. Assistance in boarding permitted. Marked with child symbol. Marked with height and weight range for which the jacket is designed.

Inflatable lifejackets:

Min 2 separate compartments for inflation. Inflate automatically upon immersion. Provision to inflate by a single manual motion. Capable of being inflated by mouth. Rest requirements same as adult and child.

Lifejacket lights:

Luminous intensity min 0.75cd. Capable source of energy. White colour. Manual switch. Flash rate 50-70 per min.

Immersion suits.

Constructed with waterproof material. Unpacked and donned without assistance within 2min along with a life jacket etc. Resist burning or melting for 2s. Cover the entire body except for the face. Arrangement to minimize or reduce the free air in legs. No undue ingress of water after a jump of at least 4.5m. Classified as a life jacket if complies with all the life jacket requirements. Shall permit the wearer to climb up and down a vertical ladder of min 5m. Normal duties for abandonment.

Swim and board a boat. Buoyant immersion suit to be fitted with a lifejacket type light. If lifejacket is required, then it should be worn over the suit. No assistance allowed.

One for every crew. On passenger vessels 3 immersion and 1 TPA per person per lifeboat.

Thermal requirements:

If the suit does not have insulation, then it should be marked accordingly. When worn with warm clothing, body temp does not fall more than 2deg on an immersion of 1hr in calm circulating water of 5deg. When warm clothing is not required, body temp not to fall more than 2 deg on an immersion of 6hrs in calm circulating water of 0 to 2 deg.

Buoyancy requirement:

Turn body from face down to face up position in not more than 5s.

TPA.

Made of waterproof material. Max thermal conductivity of 7800w/m2k. Reduce conductive and evaporative heat loss. Cover the whole body along with a lifejacket with the exception of the face. Unpacked and donned easily without assistance in a survival craft. Can be removed within 2mins. Function between -30 to 20deg.

Pyrotechnics. 12 rockets on the bridge. 6 flares, 4 rockets and 2 smokes in lifeboats and liferafts. Rocket parachute flares:

Contained in a water resistant casing. Operational instructions on the casing. Integral means of ignition. Comfortable to use. When fired vertically, reach an altitude of at least 300m At or near the top of trajectory, eject a parachute. Parachute flare to burn with bright red colour.

Luminous intensity min 30,000cd. Burn period min 40s. Max rate of descent 5m/s.

Hand flares:

Contained in a water resistant casing. Operational instructions on the casing. Self contained means of ignition. Comfortable to use. Burn with bright red colour. Luminous intensity min 15,000cd. Bur period min 1min. Continue to burn after an immersion of 10s under 100mm of water.

Buoyant smoke signals:

Contained in a water resistant case. Operational instructions on the casing. Not ignite explosively. Emit smoke of a highly visible colour at a uniform rate for min 3min in calm water. Not emit any flame during the entire smoke emission period. Not be swamped by seaway. Continue to emit smoke upon an immersion of 10s under 100mm of water.

Liferafts. Construction:

Capable of withstanding exposure for 30days afloat in all sea conditions. Drop test for life raft and its equipment is 18m. If height of stowage is more then it should be tested accordingly. Withstand repeated jumps from 4.5m above its floor with or without the canopy. Can be towed at 3kts with its full equipment, compliment of persons and one anchor streaming. Canopy to provide insulation and protection against heat and cold by two layers of material separated by air gap. Interior to be of a non discomforting colour. Admit sufficient air for breathing. At least 1 viewing port. Means for collecting rain water. Means to mount a radar transponder at least 1m above sea level. Sufficient headroom for all sitting occupants. Min carriage of 6. Max weight of container and its equipment 185kg. Lifelines around the inside and outside. Painter length min 10m + the distance from the stowed position to the waterline or 15m whichever is greater. White light of 4.3cd with burn period of min 12hrs and flash rate of 50-70 per min. Light inside the canopy to light automatically. Burn period of min 12hrs. Light enough for reading. Inflation by a non toxic gas. Inflation within 1min at 18 20 deg or within 3min at -30deg.

Equipment:

Rescue quoits with min 30 m lines. Non folding knife with a buoyant handle. For more than 13 persons, a second knife. 12 persons or less, 1 bailer. 13 persons or more, 2 bailers. 2 sponges. 2 sea anchors. 2 buoyant paddles. 3 tin openers. 1 scissors. 1 first aid kit in a waterproof kit. 1 whistle. 6 hand flares. 4 rockets. 2 smokes. 1 waterproof torch for Morse with 1 spare set of batteries and bulb. 1 radar reflector. 1 daylight signaling mirror. 1 life saving signals waterproof card. 1 fishing tackle. Food ration with min 10,000kj per person. 1.5l FW per person. 1 rustproof graduated drinking vessel. Anti-seasickness tablets sufficient for 48hrs. 1 sea sickness bag per person. TPA 10% of the capacity or 2 or whichever is greater. Survival booklet. Markings on a liferaft container:

Makers name/trade mark. Serial no. Name of authority and number of persons carried. SOLAS. Type of emergency pack enclosed. Date of last service. Length of painter. Max height of stowage. Launching instructions.

Markings on an inflatable liferaft:

Makers name/trade mark. Serial no. Date of mfg. Name of approving authority. Name and place of last service. No of persons permitted. Min char height of 100mm.

Lifeboats.

Capable of maintaining positive stability. Hull and rigid covers shall be fire retardant and non combustible. Sufficient strength to be launched with its full compliment and equipment and to be launched or towed while making headway of 5kts. Seating should be provided on benches. Benches to support 100kg per person when launched from 3m above the waterline or 1.3m for a free fall lifeboat. Max carrying capacity 150 persons. Max time for boarding on a cargo ship is 3min. Non skid walking surfaces. Painter to release at 5kts.

Min distances between the floors n the roof to be:

1.3m for 9 persons. 1.7m for 24 persons. Linear interpolation for persons between 9 and 24.

Propulsion:

Compression-ignition engine. Flash point of fuel > 43. Power starting system with 2 independent rechargeable sources. Manual starting. Engine to start at -15deg within 2mins. Min running of 5min on a cold start sans water. Operate with 50% flooding of the crankshaft. Min speed of 6kts. 2kts when towing a 25 person liferaft. Min fuel to last 24hrs @ 6kts.

Equipments:

Buoyant oars. 2 boat hooks. 1 bailer and 2 buckets. Survival manual Operational compass. 1 sea anchor. 2 painters. Length to be twice the distance from the stowage position to the waterline or 15m whichever is greater. 2 hatchets. Watertight containers for 3l of water per person. 1 rustproof dipper with lanyard. 1 rustproof graduated drinking vessel. Food ration of 10,000kj per person. 6 hand flares. 4 rockets. 2 smokes.

1 waterproof electric torch for Morse signaling. 1 day signaling mirror. 1 copy of life saving signals. 1 whistle or equivalent sound signaling device. 1 first aid kit in a waterproof case. Anti-seasickness tablets for every1 to last for 48hrs. 1 seasickness bag per person. 1 jack knife with lanyard. 3 tin openers. 2 buoyant rescue quoits with 30m lines. 1 bilge pump. 1 fishing tackle. Engine tool kit. 1 portable fire extinguisher for oil fires. 1 searchlight. Horizontal and vertical sector of 6deg. Luminosity of 2500cd. Min run time 3hrs. 1 radar reflector. TPA 2 or 10% of the compliment whichever is greater.

Rescue boats.

Length 3.8 to 8.5m. 5 seated persons and 1 lying on a stretcher. Bow cover min 15%. 4hrs @ 6kts. Marshal or tow liferafts @ 2kts.

Equipments:

Buoyant oars. 1 Buoyant bailer. 1 Operational compass. 1 sea anchor. 1 painter. 1 buoyant towline of 50m. 1 waterproof electric torch for Morse signaling. 1 waterproof first aid kit. 2 buoyant rescue quoits with 30m lines. 1 searchlight. Horizontal and vertical segment of 6deg. Luminosity of 2500cd for 3hrs. 1 radar reflector. TPA 2 or 10% of the compliment, whichever is greater. 1 portable fire extinguisher for oil fires. 1 boat hook. 1 knife or hatchet. 1 bucket.

Embarkation ladders.

480x115x25mm. Spacing 300-380mm. Non skid surface by longitudinal groves or coating. Side ropes to be manila of 65mm dia. Ropes to be continuous with no joints.

Line throwing apparatus.

Min 4 projectiles which can carry at least 230m. Min 4 lines. Brief instructions and diagrams about how to use.

General alarm system. Sound pressure level in interior and exterior spaces shall be 80db and at least 10db above the ambient noise level. In cabins it should be at least 75db and at least 10db above the ambient noise levels. PA Systems. In interior spaces - 75db and at least 20db above the speech interference level. In exterior spaces 80db and at least 15db above the speech interference level. SOLAS Chapter III Exemptions.

Vessels not proceeding more than 20miles from the nearest land. Vessels engaged in special trades. Carrying large number of pilgrims.

Radio LSA.

3 two way VHF for 500grt+ and 2 for 300-500grt. 1 radar transponder on each side for 500grt+ and 1 for 300-500grt.

Muster list and emergency instructions.

In languages required by the flag state and English. Clear instructions for every person. Exhibited in conspicuous places bridge, ECR, crew accommodation. Illustrations and instructions in passenger cabins, muster stations and other passenger spaces. Contain muster station, essential actions to be taken and method of donning lifejackets.

Operating instructions.

On or in the vicinity of survival crafts and their launching controls. Purpose of controls and procedures of operation.

Easily seen under emergency lighting conditions.

Manning of survival crafts and supervision.

Sufficient number of crew members for operation. 1 deck officer in-charge of each boat. Second in command to be appointed. Muster list with 1st n 2nd in command for head count. 1 engineer to each boat. Master to ensure equal distribution amongst the boats.

Survival craft muster and embarkations arrangements.

Survival crafts to be stowed as close to the accommodation and service spaces as possible. Muster stations to be close to embarkation stations. All stations to be readily accessible from all accommodation and work spaces. Adequate illumination supplied from emergency source. Alleyways, stairways and exits to muster and embarkations stations to be well illuminated. Provisions for embarkation ladder. Provision for lowering the boat to ships side for embarkation. On cargo whips or 20,000grt+ boats are capable of being launched at 5kts.

Stowage of survival crafts.

No survival craft or its stowage arrangement shall interfere with the operation of other survival crafts or rescue crafts. Stowed as near the water surface as is practicable. In a state of continuous readiness so that 2 crew members can prepare for launching and embarkation in less than 5mins. Stowed as far forward of the propeller as is practicable. Stowed attached to launching appliances. Liferafts to be stowed with the painter permanently attached to the ship. Liferafts to be stowed with a float free arrangement. On cargo vessels where the distance from stem or stern to nearest lifeboat is more than 100m, a liferaft forward or aft. On cargo vessels, one or more liferaft on each side accommodating the entire crew. On tankers, shall not be stowed above a cargo tank, slop tank or other tanks containing explosive or hazardous cargoes. For davit type launch max height from water line in lightest seagoing condition to be 15m.

Stowage of rescue boats.

In a state of continuous readiness for launching in not more than 5mins. Position suitable for launching and recovery. Passenger ships 1 on each side for 500grt+ and 1 for less than 500grt.

Emergency training and drills.

Every crew member shall participate in at least one abandon ship drill and one fire drill every month. Drill within 24hrs of leaving port if 25% crew change. Drills to be conducted before sailing when the ship enters sailing for the first time, after a modification of major character or a new crew is engaged. On passenger vessels weekly boat and fire drill.

Training manuals.

1 in crew mess and day room or in each crew cabin. Content:

Donning life jackets, TPA etc. Muster. Boarding, launching and clearing boats. Launching from inside the boat. Release from launching appliances. Illumination in launching areas. Use of all survival equipment. Use of all detection equipment. Use of radio LSA. Use of drogues/sea anchors. Use of engine and accessories. Recovery, stowage and securing of boats. Hazards of exposure and need of warm clothing. Best use of survival craft for survival. Methods of rescue. All functions of muster list. Emergency repair of LSA.

Weekly inspections.

All survival crafts, rescue boats and launching appliances to be visually checked to ensure that they are ready for use. General emergency alarm. All engines to b test run for at least 3mins.

Monthly inspections. Complete inspection of LSA and their equipments. Servicing. Inflatable liferafts, inflatable lifejackets and marine evacuation systems to be serviced every 12 months which can be extended up to 17.

HRU every 12months which can be extended up to 17. Launching appliances thorough inspection every 5yrs