Instruction manual

PROFICIENCY IN SURVIVAL CRAFT AND RESCUE BOATS OTHER THAN
FAST RESCUE BOATS
4 27
d) Stability of rigid life-rafts
Unless a life-raft is capable of operating safely whichever way up it is
floating, its strength and stability must be such that it is either self-righting or can
be readily righted in a sea way and in calm water by one person.
The stability of a 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.
e) Markings on rigid life-rafts
A life-raft must be marked with:
(a) name and port of registry of the ship to which it belongs;
(b) maker's name or trade mark;
(c) serial number;
(d) name of approving authority;
(e) number of persons it is permitted to accommodate over each
entrance in characters not less than 100 millimeters in height of a color
contrasting with that of the life-raft;
(f) SOLAS;
(g) type of emergency pack enclosed;
(h) length of painter;
(i) maximum permitted height of stowage above water-line (drop-test
height); and
(j) launching instructions.
Each canopy of a rigid life-raft must be fitted with retro-reflective tapes not
less than 50 millimeters wide in such a way that:
(a) tapes not less than 300 millimeters long are spaced around the
canopy so that the distance between the centre of a tape and the centre of the
tape next in line is not greater than 500 millimeters and the distance between the
lower edge of a tape and the lower edge of the canopy is not less than half the
height of the canopy; and
(b) 2 tapes form a cross at the centre of the top of the canopy, the
tapes being:
- on a circular life-raft of a length that is not less than half the
diameter of the life-raft; and
- on any other life-raft of lengths that are not less than half
the length and width, respectively, of the life-raft.
4.2.7 Stowed of liferafts
Every liferaft shall be stowed with its painter permanently attached to
the ship.
Each liferaft or group of liferafts shall be stowed with a float-free