MERCHANT SHIPPING (LIFE SAVING APPLIANCES) RULES, 1975 (LI 1010).

For the purposes of these Rules ships shall be arranged in the following classes:— A—PASSENGER SHIPS Class I—Passenger ships engaged on voyages (not being short international voyages) any of which are long international voyages. Class II—Passenger ships engaged on voyages (not being long international voyages) any of which are short international voyages. B—SHIPS OTHER THAN PASSENGER SHIPS Class III—Cargo ships engaged on long International voyages. Class IV—Cargo ships of Class III which are employed in the carriage of unberthed passengers on voyages between ports on the west coast of Central West Africa during the course of which they do not go more than 20 miles from the nearest land. Class V—Cargo ships engaged on coastal voyages or on voyages with near neighbouring countries. Class VI—Other ships such as tugs, dredgers, hopper barges and similar vessels, which do not fall under classes I to V, and which proceed to sea. Class VII—Fishing vessels.

(1) This rule shall apply to ships of class I. (2) ships of class I shall carry — (a) on each side of the ship, such number of lifeboats as would be of sufficient aggregate capacity to accommodate one-half of the total number of persons the ship is certified to carry; or (b) lifeboats and liferafts in such number as would be sufficient to provide, together, aggregate capacity to accommodate the total number of persons the ship is certified to carry provided that lifeboats carried on each side of the ship shall never be less than what would be required to accommodate at least 37½ per cent of the total number of persons the ship is certified to carry; Provided that in the case of a ship the keel of which was laid before 26th May, 1965, the provisions of this clause shall apply only if the number of persons the ship is certified to carry is not increased for the reason that the liferafts available on board are adequate for such increased number. (3) On every ship, two of the lifeboats required under sub-rule (2) of this rule shall be kept ready, one on each side of the ship, for immediate use in an emergency while the ship is at sea. None of these two lifeboats shall be more than 28 feet in length but either or both of them may be motor lifeboats and, in that case, may be counted for the purpose of compliance with sub-rule. (4) of this rule. Notwithstanding the provisions of sub-rule (10) of rule 25, skates or other suitable appliances are not required to be fitted to these lifeboats. (4) Every ship shall carry on each side of the ship at least one motor lifeboat: Provided that a ship which is certified to carry not more than 30 persons, shall be required to carry only one such motor lifeboat. (5) (a) In every ship, which is certified to carry 1,500 persons or more, each of the motor lifeboats carried in compliance with sub-rule (4) of this rule, shall be provided with the equipment specified in sub-rule (1) of rule 21. (b) In every ship which is certified to carry more than 199 but less than 1,500 persons, at least one of the motor lifeboats carried in compliance with sub-rule (4) of this rule shall be provided with the equipment specified in sub-rule (1) of rule 21. (c) Every motor lifeboat carried in compliance with this rule shall be provided with the equipment specified in sub-rule (2) of rule 21. (6) Every ship which does not carry on each side of the ship a motor lifeboat provided with equipment specified in sub-rule (1) of rule 21, shall carry a portable radio equipment which shall comply with rule 30. (7) Every lifeboat carried in compliance with this rule shall not be less than 24 feet in length. (8) In every ship, each lifeboat shall be attached to a separate set of davits which shall be of the gravity type except that the davits of luffing type may be fitted for operating lifeboats weighing not more than 2 tons in their turning out condition. (9) The liferafts carried in compliance with clause (b) of sub-rule (2) of this rule shall be served by launching appliances. On each side of the ship there shall be at least one such appliance and the difference between the number of appliances fitted on each side shall never exceed one. (10) Every ship shall also carry liferafts, which may not be served by launching appliances, of sufficient capacity to accommodate 25 per cent of the total number of persons the ship is certified to carry together with buoyant apparatus for 3 per cent of that number provided that— (a) if liferafts are also carried in compliance with clause (b) of sub-rule (2) of this rule, all liferafts carried by the ship shall be of a type capable of being launched by the launching appliance fitted on the ship in compliance with sub-rule (9) of this rule; and (b) a ship which has a factor of sub-division of 0.33 or less may carry in lieu only buoyant apparatus for 25 per cent of the total number of persons it is certified to carry. (11) (a) Every ship shall carry a minimum number of lifebuoys in accordance with the following table:—

(b) At least half of the total number of lifebuoys so carried, subject to a minimum of 6, shall be provided with efficient self-igniting lights. At least two of the lifebuoys provided with self-igniting lights shall also be provided with an efficient self-activating smoke signal of a highly visible colour lasting for not less than 15 minutes and lifebuoys so provided with smoke signals shall be capable of quick release from the navigating bridge; (c) At least one lifebuoy on each side of the ship shall be provided with a buoyant life line of at least 15 fathoms in length. (12) (a) Every ship shall carry— (i) a lifejacket complying with the requirements of Part I of the Ninth Schedule for every person on board or, as the case may be, for the number of persons it is certified to carry, whichever is more; and (ii) a lifejacket complying with the requirements of Part II of the Ninth Schedule for at least 10 per cent of the total number of persons the ship is certified to carry; (b) Every ship, in addition to lifejackets carried in compliance with clause (a) of this sub-rule, shall also carry lifejackets complying with the requirements of Part I of the Ninth Schedule for at least 5 per cent of the number of persons it is certified to carry and such lifejackets, shall be stowed on deck at a suitable place which shall be conspicuously marked. (13) Every ship shall carry an approved line throwing appliance.