CHAPTER 8 MARINE EVACUATION SYSTEMS AND MEANS OF RESCUE SYSTEMS Previous Continue Contents A Marine Evacuation System (MES) is an appliance designed to rapidly transfer large numbers of persons from an embarkation station to survival craft (inflatable liferafts). It consists of an escape passage which may be either a vertical chute or an inflatable slide leading directly into associated inflatable liferafts or via an inflatable floating platform. The statutory requirements are contained in Schedule 5, Part I of MSN 1676(M). 8.1.2.1 A formal application for consideration of a new design of MES should be submitted to MCA and Notified Body for acceptance. This submission should include fully detailed plans and specifications for construction of the escape passage and boarding platform together with methods of inflation, fabrics, adhesives, release and securing arrangements and containers. 8.1.2.2 A prototype MES should be constructed in accordance with the plans and specifications submitted and should then be tested as required by Chapter 5, Part I, Sections 1 and 2 of Volume 2—Testing of Life- Saving Appliances and the results of the tests submitted to MCA and Notified Body. 8.1.2.3 On completion two sets of ‘‘as fitted’’ plans and specifications should be forwarded to MCA and Notified Body for record purposes, one copy being returned to the manufacturers stamped ‘‘approved’’. 8.2.1 The passage should be continuous from the ship’s side at the embarkation station to the waterline in the lightest seagoing condition and should provide means for protection against projections. The distance from the embarkation position to the waterline in the lightest seagoing condition should, as far as practicable, not exceed 15 metres. 8.2.2 MES should be in such positions as to ensure safe launching and embarkation having particular regard to clearance from the propeller and steeply overhanging portions of the hull. 8.2.3 Each MES should be stowed so that neither the passage or the platform nor its stowage or operational arrangements will interfere with the operation of any other life-saving appliance at any other launching station. 8.2.4 Where appropriate, the ship should be so arranged that MES’s in their stowed position, are protected from damage by heavy seas. 8.3 Operational readiness, maintenance and inspections 8.3.1.1 Every MES shall be serviced at intervals not exceeding 12 months at an approved service station which has been appointed by the manufacturer and approved by the MCA. See Marine Guidance Note MGN 62(M+F). 8.3.1.2 In addition to the servicing intervals of MES’s each system should be deployed from the ship on a rotational basis at intervals to be agreed by the MCA. 8.4 Additional equipment for MES’s 8.4.1 Personal life-saving appliances Where a ship is fitted with MES’s there should be suitable protective clothing for each member of the MES party. If the ship is constantly engaged in voyages in warm climate where, in the opinion of the MCA thermal protection is unnecessary, this protective clothing need not be carried. A means should be provided to allow communication between the embarkation station of the MES and the platform. The statutory requirements for a means of rescue system are contained in Schedule 5, Part 2 of MSN 1676(M). 8.5.2.1 A formal application for consideration of a new design of a means of rescue system should be submitted to the MCA and Notified Body for acceptance. This submission should include fully detailed plans and specifications for construction of the boarding area at water level to receive rescued persons, the means of rescue for transferring helpless persons to the deck of the ship and the means of securing and release of the proposed system and containers (if applicable). 8.5.2.2 A prototype means of rescue system should be constructed in accordance with the plans and specifications submitted and should then be tested as required by Chapter 5, Part II, Sections 1 and 2 of Volume 2—Testing of Life-Saving Appliances and the results of the tests submitted to the MCA and Notified Body. 8.5.2.3 On completion two sets of ‘‘as fitted’’ plans and specifications should be forwarded to MCA and Notified Body for record purposes, one copy being returned to the manufacturers stamped ‘‘approved’’. Previous Continue Contents |
