Navigation and Seamanship (1+1)

5.2.7. Life rafts

   

Lifer aft shall

a) be constructed with suitable materials that capable of withstanding exposure of 30 days in all sea conditions.

b) be tested for its capacity to withstand when it is dropped from a height of at least 18m.

c) have a canopy to protect the persons inside

d) provide good insulation against heat and cold.

e) be capable of withstanding repeated jumps on to it from a height of at least 4.5 m above its floor both with and without the canopy erected.

f) have pleasing interior colour.

g) be provided with one or two entrances for entering the raft with prefect closing arrangements.

h) have at least one viewing port in the canopy to view the outside .

i) have the provision for collecting the rainwater from the canopy.

j) be fitted with lifeline in and around the raft.

k) Have a portable radio , EPIRB and SART in working condition the life raft.

l) It shall be provided with an efficient painter of at least fifteen meters.

m) be suitably constructed for towing at a speed of 3 knots in calm water with its full load of persons, equipment and with one sea-anchors.

n) be fitted with mooring rope of length equal to not less than 10 m plus the distance from the stored position to the waterline in the lightest seagoing

condition or 15 m whichever is the greater.

o) be packed in a container that is constructed to withstand the hard conditions encountered at sea

p) be marking required on liferafts equipped in accordance with LSA code regulation

q) be fitted with a certificate of approval, containing the following information:

Manufacturer’s name and address;

Lifeboat model and serial number;

Month and year of manufacture;

Number of persons the lifeboat is approved to carry; and

With approval information including the Administration which approved it, and any operational restrictions.

The following equipments shall also be provided in the life raft.

a) One buoyant rescue quoits with 30 metres buoyant line for the purpose of assisting in the recovery of survivors.

b) One or more safety knives with buoyant handle.

c) Two sponges for mopping out residual water from the floor of the raft to collect condensation from the inside canopy.

d) Two sea anchors and two paddles.

e) Three safety tin openers, which may be in combination with the safety knife.

f) One whistle or any equivalent sound signaling apparatus to attract persons in water.

g) Four rocket parachute flares which emit a red flare at a height of not less than 300 metres, the burning period being not less than 40 seconds with luminous intensity of 30,000 candles.

h) Six red hand flares to attract ships and air crafts, with burning period of not less than 1 minute with luminous intensity of 15,000 candles.

i) Two orange colour smoke floats with smoke emitting period not less than 3 minutes.

j) One waterproof electric torch for Morse signaling (with a spare set of batteries and one spare bulb).

11) One radar reflector- heliograph (‘daylight signaling mirror’- an apparatus that is used to send messages in Morse code by flashes of reflected sunlight

k) One copy of life saving signals.

l) One set of approved fishing tackle which comprises line and six hooks.

m) Approved food rations totaling not less than 10,000 Kilo Joules for each person.

n) 1.5 litres of fresh water per person and one rust proof graduated drinking vessel.

o) Six doses of anti sea-sickness medicine and one sea-sickness bag for each person. Thermal protective aids.

p) A copy of Rescue Signal Table printed on a waterproof card.

q) Drinking water at the rate of 0.5 litres per person that the liferaft is permitted to carry.

r) Food rations which total not less than 10,000 kJ for each person that the liferaft is designed to accommodate. These rations should be packed in airtight packages and stored in watertight containers.

s) Inflatable liferafts should also have a bellows or pump for topping up buoyancy chambers with a puncture repair unit

t) First aid outfit.

u) Non-toxic like carbon dioxide gas is filled in the cylinder for inflation.

To make the liferaft inflate on emergency the following steps are to be followed

a) Confirm that the operating cord is tied to the convenient and strong point of the ship.

b) Remove the tapes and make the life raft overboard.

c) Pull out the rope to its full length and give a sharp pull.

d) Now the life raft will inflate to the full shape

e) Board the raft with specified number of persons(Do not overload the raft).

f) Cut the operating cord using the safety knife.

g) Using the paddles, move away from the sinking ship.

Servicing of liferaft

The liferaft, associated materials and hydrostatic release gear need to be inspected and surveyed every year by an authorized service station. On inspection of liferaft, the Surveyor of Mercantile Marine Department and will issue the certificate.