( SOLAS reg III/4 and reg III/24-1, SOLAS reg III/4 and reg III/26 )
1 The Maritime Safety Committee, at its
sixty-eighth session (28 May to 6 June 1997), noted that the 1995 SOLAS Conference, in
adopting amendments to the 1974 SOLAS Convention concerning the safety of ro-ro passenger
ships, also adopted Conference resolution 7 - Development of requirements, guidelines and
performance standards, whereby the Committee was requested to develop relevant requirements,
guidelines and performance standards to assist in the implementation of the amendments
adopted by the Conference.
2 The Committee,
having considered recommendations made by the Sub-Committee on Ship Design and Equipment
(DE), at its fortieth session, approved the Recommendation for canopied reversible
liferafts, automatically self-righting liferafts and fast rescue boats, including testing,
on ro-ro passenger ships, set out in the annex.
3
Member Governments are invited to bring the annexed Recommendation to the attention of those
concerned and use the provisions contained therein, as appropriate, in conjunction with the
relevant requirements of the 1974 SOLAS Convention, as amended. Annex
1 Application
This recommendation should apply to canopied reversible liferafts,
automatically self-righting liferafts and fast rescue boats required by SOLAS regulation
III/24-1.
Note: This regulation has been included as regulation 26 in new SOLAS chapter III
adopted by resolution MSC.47(66), which is expected to enter into force on 1 July
1998.
2 Canopied reversible liferafts
2.1 Except as provided in this section, all canopied
reversible liferafts should comply with the requirements of paragraph 4.1,* and if an
inflatable liferaft, paragraph 4.2, or if a rigid liferaft, with the requirements of
paragraph 4.3.
2.2 The requirements of
paragraphs 4.2.5.2 and 4.2.6.2 do not apply to inflatable canopied reversible liferafts
and the requirements of paragraph 4.3.5.1 do not apply to rigid canopied reversible
liferafts.
2.3 The floating canopied
reversible liferaft should be fitted with self-draining arrangements. The liferafts
should be capable of being safely used at all times by untrained persons.
2.4 The canopied reversible liferaft should be
capable of operating safely whichever way up it is floating. The liferaft should have a
canopy on both sides of the main body, if applicable, of the liferaft, which should be
set in place when the liferaft is launched and waterborne. Both canopies should meet the
requirements of paragraphs 4.1.1.5, 4.1.3.3 and 4.1.3.4.
2.5 The equipment required under paragraph 4.1.5 should be
readily accessible whichever way up the canopied reversible liferaft is floating, either
by use of an equipment container which is accessible from either side, or by duplication
of equipment on each side of the liferaft.
2.6 The fully equipped canopied reversible liferaft should float in a stable
upright position in a seaway at all times, regardless of the conditions of loading.
2.7 The canopied reversible liferafts do not
need to be arranged for easy side-to-side transfer, and are therefore, not subject to
the 185 kg mass limitation of paragraph 4.1.2.2.
2.8 On ro-ro passenger ships operating on fixed routes in shallow water, the
requirements that liferafts be arranged so as to ensure that the liferafts are not
dragged under the sinking ship, can be achieved by using a liferaft painter with a
length of at least the maximum depth of the water plus an additional 20%.
* Unless indicated otherwise, paragraphs referred to in this recommendation are those
of the International Life-Saving Appliance (LSA) Code (resolution
MSC.48(66)). 3 Automatically self-righting liferafts
3.1 Except as provided in this section, all automatically
self- righting liferafts should comply with the requirements of paragraph 4.1 and, if an
inflatable liferaft, with the requirements of paragraph 4.2 or, if a rigid liferaft,
with the requirements of paragraph 4.3.
3.2
The requirements of paragraphs 4.2.5.2 and 4.2.6.2 do not apply to inflatable
automatically self-righting liferafts. The requirements of 4.3.5.1 do not apply to rigid
automatically self-righting liferafts.
3.3
The fully equipped liferaft should automatically turn from a capsized position to an
upright position on the surface of the water, regardless of whether it inflates in the
inverted position underwater or on the surface of the water or capsizes for any reason
following inflation.
3.4 The floating
automatically self-righting liferaft should be fitted with self-draining arrangements.
The liferaft should be capable of being safely used at all times by untrained persons.
3.5 The automatically self-righting
liferafts do not need to be arranged for easy side-to-side transfer, and are, therefore,
not subject to the 185 kg mass limitation of paragraph 4.1.2.2.
3.6 On ro-ro passenger ships operating on fixed routes in shallow
water, the requirement that liferafts be arranged so as to ensure that the liferafts are
not dragged under the sinking ship, can be achieved by using a liferaft painter with a
length of at least the maximum depth of the water plus an additional 20%.
4 Fast rescue boats
The provisions of this section should apply to fast rescue boats
in lieu of provisions of the Guidelines on fast rescue boats (resolution A.656(16)).
4.1 Requirements for fast rescue boats
4.1.1 The fast rescue boat and its launching
appliances should be such as to enable it to be safely launched and retrieved under
adverse weather and sea conditions.
4.1.2
Except as provided in this section, all fast rescue boats should comply with the
requirements of section 5.1, except for paragraphs 4.4.1.5.3, 4.4.1.6, 4.4.6.8, 4.4.7.2,
5.1.1.6 and 5.1.1.10.
4.1.3 Notwithstanding
paragraph 5.1.1.3.1, fast rescue boats should have a hull length of not less than 6 m
and not more than 8.5 m, including inflated structures.
4.1.4 Fully equipped fast rescue boats should be capable of
manoeuvring for at least 4 h at a speed of at least 20 knots in calm water with a crew
of 3 persons and at least 8 knots with a full complement of persons and equipment.
4.1.5 Fast rescue boats should be self-righting
or capable of being readily righted by not more than two of their crew.
4.1.6 Fast rescue boats should be self-bailing or be
capable of being rapidly cleared of water.
4.1.7 Fast rescue boats should be steered by a wheel at a helmsman's position
remote from the tiller. An emergency steering system providing direct control of the
rudder, water jet or outboard motor should also be provided.
4.1.8 Engines in fast rescue boats should stop automatically or
be stopped by the helmsman's emergency release switch should the rescue boat capsize.
When the rescue boat has righted, each engine or motor should be capable of being
restarted, provided the helmsman's emergency release, if fitted, has been reset. The
design of the fuel and lubricating systems should prevent the loss of more than 250 ml
of fuel or lubricating oil from the propulsion system should the rescue boat capsize.
4.1.9 Fast rescue boats should, if
possible, be equipped with an easily and safely operated fixed single-point suspension
arrangement or equivalent.
4.1.10 A rigid fast rescue boat
should be constructed in such a way that, when suspended by its lifting point it is of
sufficient strength to withstand a load without residual deflection on removal of load
of 4 times the mass of its full complement of persons and equipment.
4.1.11 The normal equipment of the fast rescue boat should
include a hands free and watertight VHF radiocommunication set.
4.1.12 The crew of the fast rescue boat should consist of at
least the helmsman and two crew members trained and drilled regularly having regard to
the Seafarers' Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) Code and recommendations
adopted by the Organization.*
4.2 Fast rescue
boat launching appliances
4.2.1 Every fast rescue boat launching
appliance should comply with the requirements of paragraphs 6.1.1 and 6.1.2 except
6.1.2.10.
4.2.2 The launching appliance
should be fitted with a device to dampen the forces due to interaction with the waves
when the fast rescue boat is launched or recovered. The device should include a flexible
element to soften shock forces and a damping element to minimize oscillations.
4.2.3 The winch should be fitted with an
automatic high-speed tensioning device which prevents the wire from going slack in all
sea state conditions in which the fast rescue boat is intended to operate.
4.2.4 The winch brake should have a gradual
action. When the fast rescue boat is lowered at full speed and the brakes are applied
sharply, the additional dynamical force induced in the wire due to retardation should
not exceed 0.5 times the working load of the launching appliance.
4.2.5 The lowering speed for a fully equipped fast rescue boat
with its full complement of persons on board should not exceed 1 m/s. Notwithstanding
the requirements of paragraph 6.1.1.9, launching appliances should be capable of
hoisting the fully equipped rescue boat loaded with 6 persons at a speed of not less
than 0.8 m/s. The appliance should also be capable of lifting the rescue boat with the
maximum number of persons that can be accommodated in the rescue boat as calculated
under paragraph 4.4.2.
4.2.6 At least three
turns of wire should remain on the winch after the fast rescue boat is lowered to the
sea with the ship at its lightest seagoing condition, a trim of up to 10 degrees and a
list of up to 20 degrees, either way.
* Refer to the Recommendations on training requirements for crews of fast rescue
boats, adopted by the Organization by resolution A.771(18) and section A-VI/2, table
A-VI/2-2 "Specification of the minimum standard of competence in fast rescue boats" of
the Seafarers' Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) Code. 5 Testing of canopied reverible liferafts, automatically self-righting liferafts and fast rescue boats
The testing of canopied reversible liferafts, automatically self-
righting liferafts and fast rescue boats should be carried out in accordance with the
provisions of the Recommendation on testing of canopied reversible liferafts,
automatically self-righting liferafts and fast rescue boats, set out in the
appendix.
Appendix Recommendation on testing of canopied reversible liferafts, automatically self-rghting liferafts and fast rescue boats on Ro-Ro Passenger ships
The canopied reversible liferafts, automatically self-righting
liferafts and fast rescue boats on ro-ro passenger ships should be tested in accordance
with the provisions of the Recommendation on Testing of Life-Saving Appliances (resolution
A.689(17)) modified as indicated below.
NOTE : The amended text is contained in the respective documents. The amendments impede
the following paragraphs: 5.17.2, 5.17.2.2, 5.17.13, 5.17.9, 5.18, 5.19, 5.20, 5.21,
7.4, 7.5, 7.6, 8.1.4, 8.1.5 and 8.1.8.