Inland Waters Small Passenger Boat Code CATEGORY D WATERS 13 LIFE-SAVING APPLIANCES (LSA) 13.1 Lifebuoys 13.1.1 For the recovery of persons from the water, vessels should carry lifebuoys. 13.1.3 A minimum of two suitable lifebuoys should be carried, at least one with a buoyant line of at least 18m in length. If operating at night one suitable lifebuoy should have a light. 13.1.4 On vessels where all passengers and crew wear a lifejacket, no lifebuoys are needed. [NB: See Annex 5 - Beach Craft Guidelines]. 13.2 Lifejackets and buoyant apparatus 13.2.2 Vessels should carry enough lifejackets for all persons on board for use in the event of an emergency. 13.2.3 Lifejackets can be of a solid buoyancy or inflatable type, and should be approved by MCA (DfT) or under the Marine Equipment Directive (MED) approved “Wheelmarked”, or should comply with BS/EN 396: Life Jackets and personal buoyancy aids of 150N, or BS/EN 399: Life Jackets and personal buoyancy aids of 275N. Lifejackets that comply with BS 3595: Specification for Life Jackets, and with a current servicing certificate where applicable, may for the time being continue to be used where already fitted on a vessel. Lifejackets relying entirely on oral inflation are not appropriate for emergency use, unless they are inflated at all times during operation. 13.2.4 Where vessels operate at night, lifejackets should be fitted with lights. 13.3 Liferafts 13.3.1 Vessels should carry a liferaft with capacity to accommodate at least the total number of passengers onboard. 13.3.2 Liferafts are to be of either a DfT approved type (SOLAS or non-SOLAS, including open reversible) or built to the International Sailing Federation (ISAF), Offshore Special Regulations (OSR) Appendix A Part 2 requirements. A liferaft need not be fitted with an insulated floor or canopy. 13.3.3 The liferaft equipment is to be to DfT approved standard and comprise either a "SOLAS B PACK" for the OSR type or the contents of a “DfT (UK) E PACK” (as provided for open reversible liferafts on Class VI (A) passenger ships which do not proceed more than 3 miles from land) as follows: - .1 one buoyant rescue quoit with buoyant line; .2 two non-folding safety knives with buoyant handle secured to the liferaft by a line and stowed in a pocket on the upper buoyancy tube adjacent to the painter; .3 one buoyant bailer plus lanyard; .4 two sponges; .5 one sea anchor permanently attached to the liferaft for ready deployment when the liferaft inflates; .6 two buoyant paddles; .7 one first aid outfit in a waterproof case; .8 one whistle or equivalent sound signal; .9 one waterproof electric torch suitable for Morse signaling; .10 two red hand flares; .11 one repair outfit for repairing punctures in buoyancy compartments; and .12 one topping-up pump or bellows. 13.3.4 For each liferaft, the equipment which is not attached to the liferaft may be either packed into the liferaft by the liferaft manufacturer and the contents listed on the certificate for the liferaft or listed and stowed in a suitable protective grab bag which is sited in a prominent position for ready transfer to the liferaft in an emergency. 13.3.5 A liferaft may be either: - .1 preferably stowed on the weather deck in an open space in an approved fibre re-in forced plastic (FRP) container and fitted with a float free arrangement (Hydrostatic Release Unit) so that the liferaft floats free and inflates automatically; or alternatively .2 stowed in a FRP container or in a valise in a readily accessible and dedicated weathertight locker or enclosure opening directly onto the weather deck. 13.4 Instructions 13.4.1 An instruction manual should be carried for onboard maintenance of the life-saving appliances. The manual may be kept ashore by the operator in the case of an open boat. It is to include the following where applicable: 1. Check list for use when carrying out inspections. 2. Maintenance and repair instructions (including a list of replaceable parts and sources for spare parts, and a log of records of inspection and maintenance). 3. Schedule of periodic maintenance 13.5 Maintenance All life saving appliances should be serviced at the manufacturer’s recommended service station at recommended intervals. N.B. Paragraph numbering may not be consecutive, as this page only
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