Instruction manual

PROFICIENCY IN SURVIVAL CRAFT AND RESCUE BOATS OTHER THAN

FAST RESCUE BOATS

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life-raft from the sea so arranged as to prevent significant deflation of the life-raft

if the ramp is damaged. In the case of a davit-launched life-raft having more than

one entrance, the boarding ramp must be fitted at the entrance opposite the

bowsing lines and embarkation facilities.

Entrances not provided with a boarding ramp must have a boarding ladder,

the lowest step of which must be situated not less than 0.4 metres below the life-

raft's light waterline.

There must be means inside the life-raft to assist persons to pull themselves

into the life-raft from the ladder.

d) Stability of inflatable life-rafts

An inflatable life-raft must be so constructed that, when fully inflated and

floating with the canopy uppermost, it is stable in a seaway.

The stability of the life-raft when in the inverted position must be such that it

can be righted in a seaway and in calm water by one person.

The stability of the life-raft when loaded with its full complement of persons

and equipment must be such that it can be towed at speeds of up to 3 knots in

calm water.

The life raft must be fitted with water pockets complying with the following

requirements:

(a) the water pockets must be of a highly visible color;

(b) the design must be such that the pockets fill to at least 60% of

their capacity within 25 seconds of deployment;

liters for life rafts up to 10 persons;

(d) the pockets for life rafts certified to carry more than 10 persons

must have an aggregate capacity of not less than 20xN liters, where N = number

of persons carried; and

(e) the pockets must be positioned symmetrically round the

circumference of the life raft. Means must be provided to enable air to readily

escape from underneath the life raft.

e) Containers for inflatable life-rafts

A life-raft must be packed in a container that is:

(a) so constructed as to withstand hard wear under conditions

encountered at sea;

(b) as far as practicable watertight, except for drain holes in the

container bottom.

A life-raft must be packed in its container in such a way as to ensure, as far

as possible that the waterborne life-raft inflates in an upright position on breaking

free from its container.