5.1.1.1 Except as provided by this section, all
rescue boats shall comply with the requirements of paragraphs 4.4.1 to 4.4.7.4 inclusive, excluding paragraph
4.4.6.8, and 4.4.7.6, 4.4.7.8, 4.4.7.10, 4.4.7.11
and 4.4.9, except that, for all rescue boats, an average mass
of 82.5 kg shall apply to paragraph 4.4.2.2.1. A lifeboat may be approved
and used as a rescue boat if it meets all of the requirements of this
section, if it successfully completes the testing for a rescue boat
required in regulation III/4.2, and
if its stowage, launching and recovery arrangements on the ship meet
all of the requirements for a rescue boat.
5.1.1.2 Notwithstanding the requirements of paragraph 4.4.4 required buoyant material for rescue
boats may be installed external to the hull, provided it is adequately
protected against damage and is capable of withstanding exposure as
specified in paragraph 5.1.3.3.
5.1.1.3 Rescue boats may be either of rigid or
inflated construction or a combination of both and shall:
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.1 be not less than 3.8 m and not more than 8.5
m in length; and
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.2 be capable of carrying at least five seated
persons and a person lying on a stretcher all wearing immersion suits,
and lifejackets if required. Notwithstanding paragraph 4.4.1.5, seating, except for the helmsman,
may be provided on the floor, provided that the seating space analysis
in accordance with paragraph 4.4.2.2.2 uses
shapes similar to figure 1, but altered
to an overall length of 1190 mm to provide for extended legs. No part
of a seating space shall be on the gunwale, transom, or on inflated
buoyancy at the sides of the boat.
Figure 1
5.1.1.4 Rescue boats which are a combination of
rigid and inflated construction shall comply with the appropriate
requirements of this section to the satisfaction of the Administration.
5.1.1.5 Unless the rescue boat has adequate sheer,
it shall be provided with a bow cover extending for not less than
15% of its length.
5.1.1.6 Every rescue boat shall be provided with
sufficient fuel, suitable for use throughout the temperature range
expected in the area in which the ship operates, and be capable of
manoeuvring at a speed of at least 6 knots and maintaining that speed,
for a period of at least 4 h, when loaded with its full complement
of persons and equipment.
5.1.1.7 Rescue boats shall have sufficient mobility
and manoeuvrability in a seaway to enable persons to be retrieved
from the water, marshal liferafts and tow the largest liferaft carried
on the ship when loaded with its full complement of persons and equipment
or its equivalent at a speed of at least 2 knots.
5.1.1.8 A rescue boat shall be fitted with an
inboard engine or outboard motor. If it is fitted with an outboard
motor, the rudder and tiller may form part of the engine. Notwithstanding
the requirements of paragraph 4.4.6.1,
petrol-driven outboard engines with an approved fuel system may be
fitted in rescue boats provided the fuel tanks are specially protected
against fire and explosion.
5.1.1.9 Arrangements for towing shall be permanently
fitted in rescue boats and shall be sufficiently strong to marshal
or tow liferafts as required by paragraph 5.1.1.7.
5.1.1.10 Unless expressly provided otherwise,
every rescue boat shall be provided with effective means of bailing
or be automatically self-bailing.
5.1.1.11 Rescue boats shall be fitted with weathertight
stowage for small items of equipment.
5.1.1.12 Every rescue boat shall be so arranged
that an adequate view forward, aft and to both sides is provided from
the control and steering position for safe launching and manoeuvring
and, in particular, with regard to visibility of areas and crew members
essential to man-overboard retrieval and marshalling of survival craft.