8.6.1 Survival craft should be securely stowed
outside and as close as possible to the passenger accommodation and
embarkation stations. The stowage should be such that each survival
craft can be safely launched in a simple manner and remain secured
to the craft during and subsequent to the launching procedure. The
length of the securing lines and the arrangements of the bowsing lines
should be such as to maintain the survival craft suitably positioned
for embarkation. The Administrations may permit the use of adjustable
securing and/or bowsing lines at exits where more than one survival
craft is used. The securing arrangements for all securing and bowsing
lines should be of sufficient strength to hold the survival craft
in position during the evacuation process.
8.6.2 Survival craft should be so stowed as to
permit release from their securing arrangements at or near to their
stowage position on the craft and from a position at or near to the
operating compartment.
8.6.3 So far as is practicable, survival craft
should be distributed in such a manner that there is an equal capacity
on both sides of the craft.
8.6.4 The launching procedure for inflatable liferafts
should, where practicable, initiate inflation. Where it is not practicable
to provide automatic inflation of liferafts (for example, when the
liferafts are associated with an MES), the arrangement should be such
that the craft can be evacuated within the time specified in 4.8.1.
8.6.5 Survival craft should be capable of being
launched and then boarded from the designated embarkation stations
in all operational conditions and also in all conditions of flooding
after receiving damage to the extent prescribed in chapter
2.
8.6.6 Survival craft launching stations should
be in such positions as to ensure safe launching having particular
regard to clearance from the propeller or waterjet and steeply overhanging
portions of the hull.
8.6.7 During preparation and launching, the survival
craft and the area of water into which it is to be launched should
be adequately illuminated by the lighting supplied from the main and
emergency sources of electrical power required by chapter
12.
8.6.8 Means should be available to prevent any
discharge of water on to survival craft when launched.
8.6.9 Each survival craft should be stowed:
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.1 so that neither the survival craft nor its
stowage arrangements will interfere with the operation of any other
survival craft or rescue boat at any other launching station;
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.2 in a state of continuous readiness;
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.3 fully equipped; and
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.4 as far as practicable, in a secure and sheltered
position and protected from damage by fire and explosion.
8.6.10 Every liferaft should be stowed with its
painter permanently attached to the craft and with a float free arrangement
complying with the requirements of regulation
III/38.6 of the Convention so that, as far as practicable,
the liferaft floats free and, if inflatable, inflates automatically
should the high speed craft sink.
8.6.11 Rescue boats should be stowed:
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.1 in a state of continuous readiness for launching
in not more than 5 min;
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.2 in a position suitable for launching and recovery;
and
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.3 so that neither the rescue boat nor its stowage
arrangements will interfere with the operation of survival craft at
any other launching station.
8.6.12 Rescue boats and survival craft should
be secured and fastened to the deck so that they at least withstand
the loads likely to arise due to a defined horizontal collision load
for the actual craft, and the vertical design load at the stowage
position.