Notes:-
1 Liferafts
1.1 Category 0 vessels should be provided with liferafts or such number and capacity that, in the event of any one liferaft being lost or rendered unserviceable, there is sufficient capacity remaining for all on board.
1.2 Category 1 vessels carrying 15 or more persons should carry liferafts in accordance with 1.1.
1.3 Liferafts on vessels identified in 1.1 and 1.2 should be of DTp approved type equipped with "SOLAS A PACK" and contained in grp containers. The liferafts should be stowed on the weather deck or in an open space and should be fitted with float free arrangements (hydrostatic release units) so that the liferafts float free and inflate automatically.
1.4 Category 1 vessel carrying 14 or less persons and vessel of categories 2, 3 and 4 should be provided with liferaft capacity to accommodate at least the total number of persons on board.
1.5 Liferafts on vessels identified in 1.4 should be of either DTp approved type or Offshore Racing Council (ORC) type. Liferafts should be equipped with "SOLAS B PACK" or, if ORC standard liferafts are fitted each liferaft should be provided with a "grab bag" containing the following equipments:-
.1 second sea anchor and line;
.2 a firs aid kit;
.3 one daylight signalling mirror;
.4 one signalling whistle;
.5 one radar reflector;
.6 two red rocket parachute flares;
.7 three red hand flares;
.8 one buoyant smoke signal;
.9 one thermal protective aid for each person on board; and
.10 one copy of the illustrated table of life-saving signals (SOLAS No. 2).
NOTE! To facilitate rapid abandonment in an emergency a 'grab bag' should be provided in a position accessible and known to all on board.
1.6 Liferafts on vessels identified in 1.4 may be either
.1 in approved grp containers stowed on the weather deck or in an open space and fitted with float free arrangements so that the liferafts float free and inflate automaticaclly;
or
.2 in grp containers or valise stowed in readily accessible and dedicated weathertight lockers opening directly to the weather deck.
2. Dan-buoy
The Dan-buoy should be attached to one of the lifebuoys fitted with a light and a drogue.
3 Lifebuoys
3.1 On vessels carrying 15 or more persons, buoyant lines of not less than 18 metres in length should be attached to each of the two lifebuoys not fitted with a light and a drogue.
3.2 Lifebuoys on category 4 vessels need not be provided with lights.
4 Lifejackets
4.1 If the lifejackets are inflatable an additional 10% or 2, whichever is the greater, should be provided.
4.2 A sufficient number of lifejackets should be provided for children carried on the vessel.
4.3 Lifejackets on category 4 vessels need not be provided with lights.
5 Thermal Protective Aids
TPAs may be stowed in the 'grab bag' (see note 1.5).
6 Portable VHF
If a fixed VHF is fitted in a category 4 vessel a portable VHF need not be provided.
7 406 MHz EPIRB
7.1 The 406 MHz EPIRB should be installed in an easily accessible position ready to be manually released, capable of being placed in a liferaft, and capable of floating free and automatic activation if the ship sinks.
7.2 On ships of less than 15 metres in length and carrying 14 or less persons the 406MHz EPIRB may be stowed in an accessible place and be capable of being placed readily in a liferaft without being capable of floating free.
8 SART
A SART is not required if the 406MHz EPIRB provided has a 121.5MHz transmitting capability and is of the non-float free type for placing in a liferaft.
9 Instructions for on board maintenance
Vessels operating on bare boat charter should be provided with instructions.
