General requirements for liferafts

4.1.1Construction of liferafts

4.1.1.1Every liferaft shall be so constructed as to be capable of withstanding exposure for 30 days afloat in all sea conditions.

4.1.1.2The liferaft shall be so constructed, that when it is dropped into the water from a height of 18 m, the liferaft and its equipment will operate satisfactorily. If the liferaft is to be stowed at a height of more than 18 m above the water-line in the lightest seagoing condition, it shall be of a type which has been satisfactorily drop-tested from at least that height.

4.1.1.3The floating liferaft shall be capable of withstanding repeated jumps onto it from a height of at least 4.5 m above its floor both with and without the canopy erected.

4.1.1.4The liferaft and its fittings shall be so constructed as to enable it to be lowed at a speed of 3 knots in calm water when loaded with its full complement of persons and equipment and with one of its sea-anchors streamed.

4.1.1.5The liferaft shall have a canopy to protect the occupants from exposure which is automatically set in place when the liferaft is launched and waterborne. The canopy shall comply with the following:

.1it shall provide insulation against heat and cold by means of either two layers of material separated by an air gap or other equally efficient means. Means shall be provided to prevent accumulation of water in the air gap;

.2its interior shall be of a colour that does not cause discomfort to the occupants;

.3each entrance shall be clearly indicated and be [provided with efficient adjustable closing arrangements which can be easily and quickly opened by persons clothed in immersion suits from inside and outside, and closed from inside the liferaft so as to permit ventilation but exclude seawater, wind and cold. Liferafts accommodating more than eight persons shall have at least two diametricallv opposite entrances;

.4it shall admit sufficient ail for the occupants at all times, even with the entrances closed;

.5it shall be provided with at least one viewing port;

.6it shall be provided with means for collecting rainwater;

.7it shall be provided with means to mount a survival craft radar transponder at a height of at least 1 m above the sea; and

.8it shall have sufficient headroom for sitting occupants under all parts of the canopy.

4.1.2Minimum carrying capacity and mass of liferafts

4.1.2.1No liferaft shall be approved which has a carrying capacity of less than six persons calculated in accordance with the requirements of paragraph 4.2.3 or 4.3.3, as appropriate.

4.1.2.2Unless the liferaft is to be launched by an approved launching appliance complying with the requirements of section 6.1 or is not required to be stowed in a position providing for easy side-to-side transfer, the total mass of the liferaft, its container and its equipment shall not be more than 185 kg.

4.1.3Liferaft fittings

4.1.3.1Lifelines shall be securely becketed around the inside and outside of the liferaft.

4.1.3.2The liferaft shall be fitted with an efficient painter of length equal to not less than 10 m plus the distance from the stowed position to the waterline in the lightest seagoing condition or 15 m, whichever is the greater. The breaking strength of the painter system, including its means of attachment to the liferaft, except the weak link required by paragraph 4.1.6, shall be not less than 15 kN for liferafts permitted to accommodate more than 25 persons, not less than 10 kN for liferafts permitted to accommodate 9 to 25 persons and not less than 7.5 kN for any other liferaft.

4.1.3.3A manually controlled lamp shall be fitted to the top of the liferaft canopy. The light shall be white and be capable of operating continuously for at least 12 h with a luminous intensity of not less than 4.3 cd in all directions of the upper hemisphere. However, if the light is a flashing light it shall flash at a rate of not less than 50 flashes and not more than 70 flashes per minute for the 12 h operating period with an equivalent effective luminous intensity. The lamp shall light automatically when the canopy is erected. Batteries shall be of a type that does not deteriorate due to dampness or humidity in the stowed liferaft.

4.1.3.4A manually controlled lamp shall be fitted inside the liferaft capable of continuous operation for a period of at least 12 h. It shall light automatically when the canopy is erected and be of sufficient intensity to permit reading of survival and equipment instructions. Batteries shall be of a type that does not deteriorate due to damp or humidity in the stowed liferafts

4.1.4Davit-launched liferafts

4.1.4.1In addition to the above requirements, a liferaft for use with an approved launching appliance shall:

.1when the liferaft is loaded with its full complement of persons and equipment, be capable of withstanding a lateral impact against the ship's side at an impact velocity of not less than 3.5 m/s and also a drop into the water from a height of not less than 3 m without damage that will affect its function;

.2be provided with means for bringing the liferaft alongside the embarkation deck and holding it securely during embarkation.

4.1.4.2Every passenger ship davit-launched liferaft shall be so arranged that it can be rapidly boarded by its full complement of persons.

4.1.4.3Every cargo ship davit-launched liferaft shall be so arranged that it can be boarded by its full complement of persons in not more than 3 min from the time the instruction to board is given.

4.1.5Equipment

4.1.5.1The normal equipment of every liferaft shall consist of:

.1one buoyant rescue quoit, attached to not less than 30 m of buoyant line;

.2one knife of the non-folding type having a buoyant handle and lanyard attached and stowed in a pocket on the exterior of the canopy near the point at which the painter is attached to the liferaft. In addition, a liferaft which is permitted to accommodate 13 persons or more shall be provided with a second knife which need not be of the non-folding type;

.3for a liferaft which is permitted to accommodate not more than 12 persons, one buoyant bailer. For a liferaft which is permitted to accommodate 13 persons or more, two buoyant bailers;

.4two sponges;

.5two sea-anchors each with a shock-resistant hawser and tripping line if fitted, one being spare and the other permanently attached to the liferaft in such a way that when the liferaft inflates or is waterborne it will cause the liferaft to be oriented to the wind in the most stable manner. The strength of each sea-anchor and its hawser and tripping line if fitted shall be adequate in all sea conditions. The sea-anchors shall have means to prevent twisting of the line and shall be of a type which is unlikely to turn inside out between its shroud lines. The sea-anchor permanently attached to davit-launched liferafts and liferafts fitted on passenger ships shall be arranged for manual deployment only. All other liferafts are to have the sea-anchor deployed automatically when the liferaft inflates;

.6two buoyant paddles;

.7three tin-openers and a pair of scissors. Safety knives containing special tin-opener blades are satisfactory for this requirement;

.8one first-aid outfit in a waterproof case capable of being closed tightly after use;

.9one whistle or equivalent sound signal;

.10four rocket parachute flares complying with the requirements of section 3.1;

.11six hand flares complying with the requirements of section 3.2;

.12two buoyant smoke signals complying with the requirements of section 3.3;

.13one waterproof electric torch suitable for Morse signalling together with one spare set of batteries and one spare bulb in a waterproof container;

.14an efficient radar reflector, unless a survival craft radar transponder is stowed in the liferaft;

.15one daylight signalling mirror with instructions on its use for signalling to ships and aircraft;

.16one copy of the life-saving signals referred to in regulation V/16 on a waterproof card or in a waterproof container;

.17one set of fishing tackle;

.18a food ration totalling not less than 10,000 kJ for each person the liferaft is permitted to accommodate. These rations should be palatable, edible throughout the recommended shelf life, and packed in a manner which can be readily divided and easily opened. The rations shall be kept in airtight packaging and be stowed in a watertight container;

.19watertight receptacles containing a total of 1.5 l of fresh water for each person the liferaft is permitted to accommodate, of which either 0.5 l per person may be replaced by a desalting apparatus capable of producing an equal amount of fresh water in two days or 1 l per person may be replaced by a manually powered reverse-osmosis desalinator, as described in paragraph 4.4.7.5, capable of producing an equal amount of fresh water in two days;

.20one rustproof graduated drinking vessel;

.21anti-seasickness medicine sufficient for at least 48 h and one seasickness bag for each person the liferaft is permitted to accommodate;

.22instructions on how to survive[§];

.23instructions for immediate action; and

.24thermal protective aids complying with the requirements of section 2.5 sufficient for 10% of the number of persons the liferaft is permitted to accommodate or two, whichever is the greater.

4.1.5.2The marking required by paragraphs 4.2.6.3.5 and 4.3.6.7 on liferafts equipped in accordance with paragraph 4.1.5.1 shall be "SOLAS A PACK" in block capitals of the Roman alphabet.

4.1.5.3In the case of passenger ships engaged on short international voyages of such a nature and duration that, in the opinion of the Administration, not all of the items specified in paragraph 4.1.5.1 are necessary, the Administration may allow the liferafts carried on any such ships to be provided with the equipment specified in paragraphs 4.1.5.1.1 to 4.1.5.1.6 inclusive, 4.1.5.1.8, 4.1.5.1.9, 4.1.5.1.13 to 4.1.5.1.16 inclusive and 4.1.5.1.21 to 4.1.5.1.24 inclusive and one half of the equipment specified in paragraphs 4.1.5.1.10 to 4.1.5.1.12 inclusive. The marking required by paragraphs 4.2.6.3.5 and 4.3.6.7 on such liferafts shall be "SOLAS B PACK" in block capitals of the Roman alphabet.

4.1.5.4Where appropriate the equipment shall be stowed in a container which, if it is not an integral part of, or permanently attached to, the liferaft, shall be stowed and secured inside the liferaft and be capable of floating in water for at least 30 min without damage to its contents.

4.1.6 Float-free arrangements for liferafts

4.1.6.1Painter system

The liferaft painter system shall provide a connection between the ship and the liferaft and shall be so arranged as to ensure that the liferaft when released and, in the case of an inflatable liferaft, inflated is not dragged under by the sinking ship.

4.1.6.2Weak Link

If a weak link is used in the float-free arrangement, it shall:

.1not be broken by the force required to pull the painter from the liferaft container;

.2if applicable, be of sufficient strength to permit the inflation of the liferaft; and

.3break under a strain of 2.2 ±0.4 kN.

4.1.6.3Hydrostatic release units

If a hydrostatic release unit is used in the float-free arrangements, it shall:

.1be constructed of compatible materials so as to prevent malfunction of the unit. Galvanizing or other forms of metallic coating on parts of the hydrostatic release unit shall not be accepted;

.2automatically release the liferaft at a depth of not more than 4 m;

.3have drains to prevent the accumulation of water in the hydrostatic chamber when the unit is in its normal position;

.4be so constructed as to prevent release when seas wash over the unit;

.5be permanently marked on its exterior with its type and serial number;

.6be permanently marked, on the unit or identification plate securely attached to the unit, with the date of manufacture, type and serial number and whether the unit is suitable for use with a liferaft with a capacity of more than 25 persons;

.7be such that each part connected to the painter system has a strength of not less than that required for the painter; and

.8if disposable, in lieu of the requirement in paragraph 4.1.6.3.6, be marked with a means of determining its date of expiry.

Inflatable liferafts

4.2.1Inflatable liferafts shall comply with the requirements of section 4.1 and, in addition, shall comply with the requirements of this section.

4.2.2Construction of inflatable liferaft

4.2.2.1The main buoyancy chamber shall be divided into not less than two separate compartments, each inflated through a nonreturn inflation valve on each compartment. The buoyancy chambers shall be so arranged that, in the event of any one of the compartments being damaged or failing to inflate, the intact compartments shall be able to support, with positive freeboard over the liferaft's entire periphery, the number of persons which the liferaft is permitted to accommodate, each having a mass of 75 kg and seated in their normal positions.

4.2.2.2The floor of the liferaft shall be waterproof and shall be capable of being sufficiently insulated against cold either:

.1by means of one or more compartments that the occupants can inflate, or which inflate automatically and can be deflated and re-inflated by the occupants; or

.2by other equally efficient means not dependent on inflation.

4.2.2.3The liferaft shall be capable of being inflated by one person. The liferaft shall be inflated with a non-toxic gas. Inflation shall be completed within a period of 1 min at an ambient temperature of between 18°C and 20°C and within a period of 3 min at an ambient temperature of -30°C. After inflation, the liferaft shall maintain its form when loaded with its full complement of persons and equipment.

4.2.2.4Each inflatable compartment shall be capable of withstanding a pressure equal to at least three times the working pressure and shall be prevented from reaching a pressure exceeding twice the working pressure either by means of relief valves or by a limited gas supply. Means shall be provided for fitting the topping-up pump or bellows required by paragraph 4.2.9.1.2 so that the working pressure can be maintained.

4.2.3Carrying capacity of inflatable liferafts

The number of persons which a liferaft shall be permitted to accommodate shall be equal to the lesser of:

.1the greatest whole number obtained by dividing by 0.096 the volume, measured in cubic metres, of the main buoyancy tubes (which for this purpose shall include neither the arches nor the thwarts, if fitted) when inflated; or

.2the greatest whole number obtained by dividing by 0.372 the inner horizontal cross-sectional area of the liferaft measured in square metres (which for this purpose may include the thwart or thwarts, if fitted) measured to the innermost edge of the buoyancy tubes; or

.3the number of persons having an average mass of 75 kg, all wearing either immersion suits and lifejackets or, in the case of davit-launched liferafts, lifejackets, that can be seated with sufficient comfort and headroom without interfering with the operation of any of the liferaft's equipment.

4.2.4Access into inflatable liferafts

4.2.4.1At least one entrance shall be fitted with a semi-rigid boarding ramp, capable of supporting a person weighing 100 kg, to enable persons to board the liferaft from the sea. The boarding ramp shall be so arranged as to prevent significant deflation of the liferaft if the ramp is damaged. In the case of a davit-launched liferaft having more than one entrance, the boarding ramp shall be fitted at the entrance opposite the bowsing lines and embarkation facilities.

4.2.4.2Entrances not provided with a boarding ramp shall have a boarding ladder, the lowest step of which shall be situated not less than 0.4 m below the liferaft's light waterline.

4.2.4.3There shall be means inside the liferaft to assist persons to pull themselves into the liferaft from the ladder.

4.2.5Stability of inflatable liferafts

4.2.5.1Every inflatable liferaft shall be so constructed that, when fully inflated and floating with the canopy uppermost, it is stable in a seaway.

4.2.5.2The stability of the liferaft when in the inverted position shall be such that it can be righted in a seaway and in calm water by one person.

4.2.5.3The stability of the liferaft when loaded with its full complement of persons and equipment shall be such that it can be towed at speeds of up to 3 knots in calm water.

4.2.5.4The liferaft shall be fitted with water pockets complying with the following requirements:

.1the water pockets shall be of a highly visible colour;

.2the design shall be such that the pockets fill to at least 60% of their capacity within 25 s of deployment;

.3the pockets shall have an aggregate capacity of at least 220 l for liferafts up to 10 persons;

.4the pockets for liferafts certified to carry more than 10 persons shall have an aggregate capacity of not less than 20N l, where N = number of persons carried; and

.5the pockets shall be positioned symmetrically round the circumference of the liferaft. Means shall be provided to enable air to readily escape from underneath the liferaft.

4.2.6Containers for inflatable liferaft

4.2.6.1The liferaft shall be packed in a container that is:

.1so constructed as to withstand hard wear under conditions encountered at sea;

.2of sufficient inherent buoyancy, when packed with the liferaft and its equipment, to pull the painter from within and to operate the inflation mechanism should the ship sink; and

.3as far as practicable watertight, except for drain holes in the container bottom.

4.2.6.2The liferaft shall be packed in its container in such a wav as to ensure, as far as possible, that the waterborne liferaft inflates in an upright position on breaking tree from its container.

4.2.6.3The container shall be marked with:

.1maker's name or trade mark;

.2serial number;

.3name of approving authority and the number of persons it is permitted to carry;

.4SOLAS;

.5type of emergency pack enclosed;

.6date when last serviced;

.7length of painter;

.8maximum permitted height at stowage above waterline (depending on drop-test height and length of painter); and

.9launching instructions.

4.2.7Markings on inflatable liferafts

4.2.7.1The liferaft shall be marked with:

.1maker's name or trade mark;

.2serial number;

.3date of manufacture (month and year);

.4name of approving authority;

.5name and place of servicing station where it was last serviced; and

.6number of persons it is permitted to accommodate over each entrance in characters not less than 100 mm in height of a colour contrasting with that of the liferaft.

4.2.7.2Provision shall be made for marking each liferaft with the name and port of registry of the ship to which it is to be fitted, in such a form that the ship identification can be changed at any time without opening the container.

4.2.8Davit-launched inflatable liferafts

4.2.8.1In addition to complying with the above requirements, a liferaft for use with an approved launching appliance shall, when suspended from its lifting hook or bridle, withstand a load of:

.14 times the mass of its full complement of persons and equipment, al an ambient temperature and a stabilized liferaft temperature of 20±3°C with all relief valves inoperative; and

.21.1 times the mass of its full complement of persons and equipment at an ambient temperature and a stabilized liferaft temperature of -30°C with all relief valves operative.

4.2.8.2Rigid containers for liferafts to be launched by a launching appliance shall be so secured that the container or parts of it are prevented from tailing into the sea during and after inflation and launching of the contained liferaft.

4.2.9Additional equipment for inflatable liferafts

4.2.9.1In addition to the equipment required by paragraph 4.1.5, every inflatable liferaft shall be provided with:

.1one repair outfit for repairing punctures in buoyancy compartments; and

.2one topping-up pump or bellows.

4.2.9.2The knives required by paragraph 4.1.5.1.2 shall be safety knives, and the tin-openers and scissors required by paragraph 4.1.5.1.7 shall be of the safety type.

Rigid liferafts

4.3.1Rigid liferafts shall comply with the requirements of section 4.1 and, in addition, shall comply with the requirements of this section.

4.3.2Construction of rigid liferafts

4.3.2.1The buoyancy of the liferaft shall be provided by approved inherently buoyant material placed as near as possible to the periphery of the liferaft. The buoyant material shall be fire-retardant or be protected by a fire-retardant covering.

4.3.2.2The floor of the liferaft shall prevent the ingress of water and shall effectively support the occupants out of the water and insulate them from cold.

4.3.3Carrying capacity of rigid liferafts

The number of persons which it liferaft shall be permitted to accommodate shall be equal to the lesser of:

.1the greatest whole number obtained by dividing by 0.096 the volume, measured in cubic metres, of the buoyancy material multiplied by a factor of 1 minus the specific gravity of that material; or

.2the greatest whole number obtained by dividing by 0.372 the horizontal cross-sectional area of the floor of the liferaft measured in square metres; or

.3the number of persons having an average mass of 75 kg, all wearing immersion suits and lifejackets, that can be seated with sufficient comfort and headroom without interfering with the operation of any of the liferaft's equipment.

4.3.4Access into rigid liferafts

4.3.4.1At least one entrance shall be fitted with a rigid boarding ramp to enable persons to hoard the liferaft from the sea. In the case of a davit-launched liferaft having more than one entrance, the hoarding ramp shall be fitted at the entrance opposite to the bowsing and embarkation facilities.

4.3.4.2Entrances not provided with a boarding ramp shall have a boarding ladder, the lowest step of which shall be situated not less than 0.4 m below the liferaft's light waterline.

4.3.4.3There shall be means inside the liferaft to assist persons to pull themselves into the liferaft from the ladder.

4.3.5Stability of rigid liferafts

4.3.5.1Unless the liferaft is capable of operating safely whichever way up it is floating, its strength and stability shall be such that it is either self-righting or can be readily righted in a seaway and in calm water by one person.

4.3.5.2The stability of a liferaft when loaded with its full complement of persons and equipment shall be such that it can be lowed at speeds of up to 3 knots in calm water.

4.3.6Marking on rigid liferafts

The liferaft shall be marked with:

.1name and port of registry of the ship to which it belongs;

.2maker's name or trade mark;

.3serial number;

.4name of approving authority;

.5number of persons it is permitted lo accommodate over each entrance in characters not less than 100 mm in height of a colour contrasting with that of the liferaft;

.6SOLAS;

.7type of emergency pack enclosed;

.8length of painter;

.9maximum permitted height of stowage above waterline (drop-test height); and

.10launching instructions.

4.3.7Davit launched rigid liferafts

In addition to the above requirements, a rigid liferaft for use with an approved launching appliance shall, when suspended from its lifting hook or bridle, withstand a load of four times the mass of its full complement of persons and equipment.