4.1.5 Equipment
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Statutory Documents - IMO Publications and Documents - International Codes - LSA Code - International Life-Saving Appliance Code – Resolution MSC.48(66) - Chapter IV - Survival Craft - 4.1 General requirements for liferafts - 4.1.5 Equipment

4.1.5 Equipment

  4.1.5.1 The normal equipment of every liferaft shall consist of:

  • .1 one buoyant rescue quoit, attached to not less than 30 m of buoyant line;

  • .2 one knife of the non-folding type having a buoyant handle and lanyard attached and stowed in a pocket on the exterior of the canopy near the point at which the painter is attached to the liferaft. In addition, a liferaft which is permitted to accommodate 13 persons or more shall be provided with a second knife which need not be of the non-folding type;

  • .3 for a liferaft which is permitted to accommodate not more than 12 persons, one buoyant bailer. For a liferaft which is permitted to accommodate 13 persons or more, two buoyant bailers;

  • .4 two sponges;

  • .5 two sea-anchors each with a shock resistant hawser and tripping line if fitted, one being spare and the other permanently attached to the liferaft in such a way that when the liferaft inflates or is waterborne it will cause the liferaft to lie oriented to the wind in the most stable manner. The strength of each sea-anchor and its hawser and tripping line if fitted shall be adequate in all sea conditions. The sea-anchors shall have means to prevent twisting of the line and shall be of a type which is unlikely to turn inside out between its shroud lines. The sea- anchor permanently attached to davit launched liferafts and liferafts fitted on passenger ships shall be arranged for manual deployment only. All other liferafts are to have the sea-anchor deployed automatically when the liferaft inflates;

  • .6 two buoyant paddles;

  • .7 three tin openers and a pair of scissors. Safety knives containing special tin-opener blades are satisfactory for this requirement;

  • .8 one first-aid outfit in a waterproof case capable of being closed tightly after use;

  • .9 one whistle or equivalent sound signal;

  • .10 four rocket parachute flares complying with the requirements of section 3.1;

  • .11 six hand flares complying with the requirements of section 3.2;

  • .12 two buoyant smoke signals complying with the requirements of section 3.3;

  • .13 one waterproof electric torch suitable for Morse signalling together with one spare set of batteries and one spare bulb in a waterproof container;

  • .14 an efficient radar reflector, unless a survival craft radar transponder is stowed in the liferaft;

  • .15 one daylight signalling mirror with instructions on its use for signalling to ships and aircraft;

  • .16 one copy of the life-saving signals referred to in regulation V/16 on a waterproof card or in a waterproof container;

  • .17 one set of fishing tackle;

  • .18 a food ration consisting of not less than 10,000 kJ (2,400 kcal) for each person the liferaft is permitted to accommodate. These rations shall be palatable, edible throughout the marked life, and packed in a manner which can be readily divided and easily opened, taking into account immersion suit gloved hands.

    The rations shall be packed in permanently sealed metal containers or vacuum packed in a flexible packaging material with a negligible vapour transmission rate (<0.1 g/m2 per 24 h at 23ºC/85% relative humidity) when tested to a standard acceptable to the Administration. Flexible packaging materials shall be further protected by outer packaging, if needed, to prevent physical damage to the food ration and other items as result of sharp edges. The packaging shall be clearly marked with date of packing and date of expiry, the production lot number, the content in the package and instructions for use. Food rations complying with the requirements of an international standard acceptable to the Organization are acceptable in compliance with these requirements;

  • .19 1.5 l of fresh water for each person the liferaft is permitted to accommodate, of which either 0.5 l per person may be replaced by a de-salting apparatus capable of producing an equal amount of fresh water in 2 days or 1 l per person may be replaced by a manually powered reverse osmosis desalinator, as described in paragraph 4.4.7.5, capable of producing an equal amount of fresh water in 2 days. The water shall satisfy suitable international requirements for chemical and microbiological content, and shall be packed in sealed watertight containers that are of corrosion resistant material or are treated to be corrosion resistant. Flexible packaging materials, if used, shall have a negligible vapour transmission rate (<0.1 g/m2 per 24 h at 23ºC / 85% relative humidity) when tested to a standard acceptable to the Administration, except that individually packaged portions within a larger container need not meet this vapour transmission requirement. Each water container shall have a method of spill proof reclosure, except for individually packaged portions of less than 125 ml. Each container shall be clearly marked with date of packing and date of expiry, the production lot number, the quantity of water in the container, and instructions for consumption. The containers shall be easy to open, taking into account immersion suit gloved hands. Water for emergency drinking complying with the requirements of an international standard acceptable to the Organization is acceptable in compliance with these requirements;

  • .20 one rustproof graduated drinking vessel;

  • .21 anti-seasickness medicine sufficient for at least 48 h and one seasickness bag for each person the liferaft is permitted to accommodate;

  • .22 instructions on how to survive footnote;

  • .23 instructions for immediate action; and

  • .24 thermal protective aids complying with the requirements of paragraph 2.5 sufficient for 10% of the number of persons the liferaft is permitted to accommodate or two, whichever is the greater.

  4.1.5.2 The marking required by paragraphs 4.2.6.3.5 and 4.3.6.7 on liferafts equipped in accordance with paragraph 4.1.5.1 shall be "SOLAS A PACK" in block capitals of the Roman alphabet.

  4.1.5.3 In the case of passenger ships engaged on short international voyages of such a nature and duration that, in the opinion of the Administration, not all the items specified in paragraph 4.1.5.1 are necessary, the Administration may allow the liferafts carried on any such ships to be provided with the equipment specified in paragraphs 4.1.5.1.1 to 4.1.5.1.6 inclusive, 4.1.5.1.8, 4.1.5.1.9, 4.1.5.1.13 to 4.1.5.1.16 inclusive and 4.1.5.1.21 to 4.1.5.1.24 inclusive and one half of the equipment specified in paragraphs 4.1.5.1.10 to 4.1.5.1.12 inclusive. The marking required by paragraphs4.2.6.3.5 and 4.3.6.7 on such liferafts shall be "SOLAS B PACK" in block capitals of the Roman alphabet.

  4.1.5.4 Where appropriate the equipment shall be stowed in a container which, if it is not an integral part of, or permanently attached to, the liferaft, shall be stowed and secured inside the liferaft and be capable of floating in water for at least 30 min without damage to its contents.

Parent topic: 4.1 General requirements for liferafts
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