1 ApplicationThis recommendation should apply to means of rescue on ro-ro passenger
ships required by SOLAS regulation III/24-1.4.*
2
Requirements for means of rescue2.1 The means of rescue should provide for the
safe transfer of persons, including helpless persons, from the water level to the deck of
the ship.
2.2 The means of rescue should
provide an area of at least 9 m
2 at water level to receive rescued persons.
2.3 The rescue area into which the means of
rescue is launched should be adequately illuminated from the deck of the ship.
2.4 The means of rescue should be one of the
following:
.1 A marine evacuation system complying with the
requirements of paragraph 6.2** providing a suitable floating platform, with a ladder or
other means to ascend to the deck for able-bodied persons, and a mechanically powered
means to safely hoist persons lying down. If an inclined passage of a marine evacuation
system is intended to provide the means of transfer from the platform to the deck of the
ship for able- bodied persons, the inclined passage should be provided with suitable
handholds or portable ladders with steps having an efficient non-slip surface.
.2 A device complying with the requirements for davit-launched
liferafts in paragraphs 4.1.3.1, 4.1.4.1, 4.1.5.1.1, and in the case of an inflatable
device, 4.2.2, 4.2.2.1, 4.2.2.3, 4.2.2.4, 4.2.7, 4.2.8.1, 4.2.8.2 (if fitted) and 4.2.9.1;
or in the case of a rigid device, 4.3.1, 4.3.2, 4.3.6.2, 4.3.6.3, 4.3.6.4, 4.3.6.6,
4.3.6.9, 4.3.6.10 and 4.3.7, to provide a suitable floating platform.
The device should be used with a launching appliance, meeting the requirements of 6.1 or
equivalent, with a powered winch motor capable of raising the loaded device from the water
to the deck of the ship with the total number of persons for which it is approved as a
means of rescue at a rate of not less than 0.3 m/s. A safety device should be fitted to
prevent over stressing the launching appliance. Additionally, the device should comply
with the following:
.2.1 the device should be of a highly visible colour, and should
be protected against damage when moving against the ship's side;
.2.2
the occupants should be protected against injury caused by the launching appliance;
.2.3 two boarding ramps complying with 4.2.4.1 or 4.3.4.1 should be
fitted;
.2.4 the maximum number of persons permitted on the device
should be conspicuously marked;
.2.5 the floor should be self-draining;
.2.6 suitable means should be provided for bowsing in the device to
the ship's side;
.2.7 one knife of a type described in 4.1.5.1.2 should
be stowed in a pocket close to each bowsing line attachment patch;
.2.8
a special arrangement should be fitted to close the gap between the loaded device and the
deck when the rescued persons board the ship;
.2.9 the device should be
conspicuously marked to prevent confusion with liferafts;
.2.10 if
inflatable, the inflation system should be quickly initiated by a manual control; and
.2.11 means should be provided for preventing occupants from falling from
the device on impact with the ship's side.
.3 A means of rescue approved by the
Administration in accordance with SOLAS regulation III/4.3.
3 Testing3.1 It should be demonstrated that the means of
rescue has the capability to receive and accommodate rescued persons out of the water at
water level.
3.2 It should be demonstrated that
the means of rescue has the capability to rapidly transfer persons from the water level to
the deck of the ship.
3.3 It should be
demonstrated that a means of rescue meeting the requirements of 2.4.2 above, is designed
to the same structural requirements as a davit-launched liferaft of equivalent capacity
and tested under section 5 of part 1 of the annex to resolution A.689(17).
3.4 The bowsing line system should be subjected
to the test specified in 5.6 of part 1 of the annex to resolution A.689(17).
3.5 It should be demonstrated that the floor of
the means of rescue is self-draining to minimize a build-up of water.
3.6 It should be demonstrated that the means of rescue is
able to lift from the water to the deck of the ship a mass equal to the mass of the number
of persons for which it is approved at 0.3 m/s.
3.7 A means of rescue meeting the requirements of 2.4.2 above, should be
subjected to the tests specified in part 2 of the Annex to resolution A.689(17) for
davit-launched liferafts and launching appliances.
* This regulation has been included as regulation 26.4 in new SOLAS chapter III adopted
by resolution MSC.47(66), which is expected to enter into force on 1 July 1998.
** Unless indicated otherwise, paragraphs referred to in this
recommendation are those of the International Life- Saving Appliance (LSA) Code
(resolution MSC.48(66)).