S.I. No. 380/1993 - Merchant Shipping (Life-Saving Appliances) Rules, 1993.

1. Instructions for on-board maintenance of life-saving appliances shall be in easily understood terms and illustrated wherever possible.

2. As appropriate, the instructions shall include the following for each appliance

2.1 a checklist for use when carrying out the inspections required by Rule 13 (6) of these Rules;

2.2 maintenance and repair instructions;

2.3 schedule of periodic maintenance,

2.4 diagram of lubrication points with the recommended lubricants;

2.5 list of replaceable parts;

2.6 list of sources of spare parts; and

2.7 log for records of inspections and maintenance.

Rules 2, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 10.

3. As appropriate, the following shall be explained in detail

3.1 donning of lifejackets and immersion suits;

3.2 muster at the assigned stations;

3.3 boarding launching and clearing the survival craft, rescue and inflated boats;

3.4 method of launching from within the survival craft;

3.5 release from launching appliances;

3.6 methods and use of devices for protection in launching areas;

3.7 illumination in launching areas;

3.8 use of all survival equipment;

3.9 use of all detection equipment;

3.10 with the assistance of illustrations, the use of radio life-saving appliances;

3.11 use of sea anchors;

3.12 use of engine and accessories;

3.13 recovery of survival craft, rescue and inflated boats including stowage and securing;

3.14 hazards of exposure and the need for warm clothing;

3.15 best use of the survival craft facilities in order to survive;

3.16 methods of retrieval, including the use of helicopter rescue gear (slings, baskets, stretchers), breeches-buoy and shore life-saving apparatus and ship's line-throwing apparatus;

3.17 all other functions contained in the muster list and emergency instructions; and

3.18 instructions for emergency repair of the life-saving appliances.

Rules 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9,

10, 11 and 13.

PART II

INSTRUCTIONS FOR ON-BOARD MAINTENANCE

4. The compass card shall be not less than 60 millimetres in diameter. When the diameter of the card is less than 100 millimetres, magnification of the card shall be incorporated to allow a person with normal vision to read the compass at a distance of not less than one metre. The card shall be graduated in 5 degree intervals, with a numerical indication at least every 30 degrees. The cardinal points shall be distinctively marked. Edge graduations, where provided shall be at 5 degree intervals with numerical indication at least every 30 degrees. The compass shall be fitted with a lubber line or point and the compass card shall be luminised or provided with a suitable means of illumination which does not include the use of an oil lamp. If only part of the card is visible (or if magnification is used) it shall be possible to read a minimum of 15 degrees on either side of the lubber mark.

5. The centre of the card shall be of sapphire or equally hard jewel.

6. The pivot of the card shall be of iridium or equally hard material.

7. The compass shall be so constructed that the compass card remains horizontal and readable when the binnacle or housing is tilted to 40 degrees from the upright in any direction. When an external gimbals system is fitted, the card shall remain free when the bowl is tilted by 10 degrees.

8. The direction of the lubber line or point from the centre of the card shall lie in the same vertical plane as the other gimbals axis or other fore and aft datum line. The cumulative effect of card, pivot, directional and other similar errors, and of inaccurate positioning of the lubber's point shall be such that in the undisturbed earth's field the direction as read on the card against the lubber's point shall not differ by more than 3 degrees from the magnetic direction of the outer gimbals axis or other fore and aft datum line for any direction of the latter.

9. The compass shall be provided with a binnacle or housing of non-magnetic material which shall be so constructed or marked that the direction of the fore and aft line can be identified. Means for fixing in place shall be provided. The mounting of the directional system in the compass bowl shall be constructed in such a manner that it returns to the original position on its pivot when the bowl is inverted and then returned to its normal position.

10. The strength and durability of the materials used, and the quality of manufacture shall be such that the compass will remain efficient seagoing conditions. Any paint inside the bowl shall show no signs of blistering.

11. The bowl of the compass, or the housing, if integral with the bowl, shall be permanently marked with the maker's name or other identification mark.

Rules 2, 5, 6, 7, 8,

9, 10, 11 and 24.

EIGHTH SCHEDULE

REQUIREMENTS FOR PYROTECHNIC SIGNALS AND LINE-THROWING APPLIANCES

PART I

ROCKET PARACHUTE FLARES

1.

Construction

1.1 A rocket parachute flare shall

.1 be constructed with proper workmanship and materials;

.2 be contained in a water-resistant casing;

.3 have integral means of ignition which can be readily operated with wet, cold or gloved hands in adverse conditions and require the minimum of preparation;

.4 be so designed that it shall not cause discomfort for the person holding the casing when used in accordance with the manufacturer's operating instructions;

.5 be so constructed that any sealing shall not depend on adhesive tapes, or plastic envelopes;

.6 be so constructed that the end from which the rocket is ejected can be positively identified by day and by night;

.7 be so constructed that all components, composition and ingredients of the signal and the means of igniting it shall be of such character and quality to enable the signal to maintain its serviceability under good average storage conditions in the marine environment for a period of at least 3 years;

.8 be so constructed that if it is intended to be stowed in a liferaft it can function effectively after being subjected to a drop test appropriate to the height at which the liferaft is to be stowed, when the signal is packed in the equipment container.

2.

Performance

2.1 A rocket parachute flare shall not be damaged in stowage throughout the air temperature range of — 30 degrees centigrade to +65 degrees centigrade.

2.2 A rocket shall, when fired vertically, reach an altitude of not less than 300 metres. At or near the top of its trajectory, the rocket shall eject a parachute flare which shall

.1 burn with a bright red colour;

.2 burn uniformly with an average luminous intensity of not less than 30,000 candela;

.3 have a burning period of not less than 40 seconds;

.4 have a rate of descent of not more than 5 metres/second;

.5 not damage its parachute or attachments while burning.

2.3 The rocket shall in addition be capable of functioning when the rocket is fired at an angle of 45 degrees to the horizontal.

3.

Marking

3.1 A rocket parachute flare shall have brief instructions or diagrams clearly illustrating the use of the rocket parachute flare printed on its casing.

3.2 The date of manufacture and the date of expiry shall be marked indelibly on the casing.

Rules 2 and 24,

First Schedule,

Part I and Fourth Schedule Part IV.

PART II

HAND FLARES

1.

Construction

1.1 A hand flare shall

.1 be constructed with proper workmanship and materials;

.2 be contained in a water-resistant casing;

.3 have a self-contained means of ignition which can be readily operated with wet, cold or gloved hands in adverse conditions and require the minimum preparation.

.4 be so designed as not to cause discomfort to the person holding the casing with an uncovered hand and not endanger a lifeboat or liferaft by burning or glowing residues when used in accordance with the manufacturer's operating instructions;

.5 be so constructed that any sealing shall not depend on adhesive tapes or plastic envelopes;

.6 be so constructed that the end from which the light is emitted can be positively identified by day and by night;

.7 be so constructed that all components, compositions and ingredients of the flare and the means of igniting it shall be of such character and quality to enable the flare to maintain its serviceability under good average storage conditions in the marine environment for a period of at least 3 years.

.8 be so constructed that if it is intended to be stowed in a liferaft it can function effectively after being subjected to a drop test appropriate to the height at which the liferaft is to be stowed, when the signal is packed in the equipment container.

2.

Performance

2.1 A hand flare shall not be damaged in stowage throughout the air temperature range of — 30 degrees centigrade to +65 degrees centigrade.

2.2 A hand flare shall

.1 burn with a bright red colour;

.2 burn uniformly with an average luminous intensity of not less than 15,000 candela;

.3 have a burning period of not less than 1 minute;

.4 after ignition continue to burn after having been immersed for a period of 10 seconds under 100 millimetres of water.

3.

Marking

3.1 A hand flare shall have brief instructions or diagrams clearly illustrating the use of the hand flare printed on its casing.

3.2 The date of manufacture and the date of expiry shall be marked indelibly on the casing.

Rules 2 and 24, First Schedule,

Part I and Fourth Schedule,

Part IV.

PART III

BUOYANT SMOKE SIGNALS

1.

Construction

1.1 A buoyant smoke signal shall

.1 be constructed with proper workmanship and materials;

.2 be contained in a water-resistant casing;

.3 have an integral means of ignition which can be readily operated with wet, cold or gloved hands in adverse conditions;

.4 be so designed to enable the signal to be released from a survival craft without harm to the occupants;

.5 be so designed that it shall not ignite explosively when used in accordance with the manufacturer's operating instructions;

.6 be so constructed that all components, compositions and ingredients of the signal and the means of igniting it shall be of such character and quality to enable the signal to maintain its serviceability under good average conditions in the marine environment for a period of at least 3 years;

.7 be so constructed that any sealing shall not depend on adhesive tapes or plastic envelopes;

.8 be so constructed that if it is intended to be stowed in a liferaft it can function effectively after being subjected to a drop test appropriate to the height at which the liferaft is to be stowed, when the signal is packed in the equipment container.

2.

Performance

2.1 A buoyant smoke signal shall not be damaged in stowage throughout the air temperature range of — 30 degrees centigrade to +65 degrees centigrade.

2.2 It shall be capable of satisfactory operation in a seaway.

2.3 A buoyant smoke signal shall

.1 emit smoke of a highly visible colour at a uniform rate for a period of not less than 3 minutes when floating in calm water;

.2 not emit any flame during the entire smoke emission time;

.3 not be swamped in a seaway;

.4 continue to emit smoke when submerged in water for a period of 10 seconds under 100 millimetres of water.

2.4 It shall be safe to operate in water covered by a low flash point liquid.

3.

Marking

3.1 A buoyant smoke signal shall have brief instructions or diagrams clearly illustrating the use of the smoke signal printed on its casing.

3.2 The date of manufacture and the date of expiry shall be marked indelibly on the casing.

Rules 2, 9, 11 and 24.

PART IV

RED STAR DISTRESS ROCKET SIGNALS

1.

Construction

1.1 A red star distress signal shall

.1 be constructed with proper workmanship and materials;

.2 be contained in a water-resistant casing;

.3 have integral means of ignition which can be readily operated with wet, cold or gloved hands in adverse conditions and require the minimum of preparation;

.4 be so designed that it shall not cause discomfort to the person holding the casing when used in accordance with the manufacturer's operating instructions;

.5 be so constructed that any sealing shall not depend on adhesive tapes or plastic envelopes;

.6 be so constructed that the end from which the rocket is ejected can be positively identified by day and by night;

.7 be so constructed that all components, compositions and ingredients of the signal and the means of igniting it shall be of such character and quality to enable the signal to maintain its serviceability under good average storage conditions in the marine environment for a period of at least 3 years.

2.

Performance

2.1 A red star distress rocket signal shall not be damaged in stowage throughout the air temperature range of—30 degrees centigrade to +65 degrees centigrade.

2.2 A red star distress rocket signal shall be capable of emitting two or more red stars either together or separately, when projected to the required height by means of a rocket.

2.3 When fired vertically the stars shall be ejected at or before the top of the trajectory at a minimum height of 45 metres and each star shall

.1 burn with a bright red colour;

.2 burn uniformly with an average luminous intensity of not less than 5,000 candela;

.3 have a burning period of not less than 5 seconds.

2.4 The signal shall in addition be capable of functioning when the rocket is fired at an angle of 45 degrees to the horizontal.

3.

Marking

3.1 A red star distress rocket signal shall have brief instructions or diagrams clearly illustrating the use of the signal printed on its casing.

3.2 The date of manufacture and the date of expiry shall be marked indelibly on the casing.

Rules 2, 5, 6, 7, 8,

10, 11 and 24.

PART V

LINE-THROWING APPLIANCES

1.

Construction

1.1 A line-throwing appliance shall

.1 be constructed with proper workmanship and materials;

.2 in the case of an integral rocket and line, be contained in a water-resistant casing; in the case of a pistol fired rocket, the rocket shall be contained in a water-resistant casing;

.3 include not less than four projectiles;

.4 include not less than four lines each having a breaking strength of not less than 2 kilonewtons;

.5 be so designed that the end from which the rocked is ejected can be positively identified by day and by night.

1.2 Rockets, cartridges and ignitors shall be so constructed that all components, compositions and ingredients shall be of such character and quality to maintain serviceability under good average storage conditions in the marine environment for a period of at least 3 years.

1.3 Rockets, cartridges and ignitors shall be so constructed that any sealing shall not depend on adhesive tapes or plastic envelopes.

2.

Performance

2.1 A line-throwing appliance shall not be damaged in stowage throughout the air temperature range of — 30 degrees centigrade to +65 degrees centigrade.

2.2 It shall be capable of throwing a line minimum of 4 millimetres in diameter a distance of at least 230 metres in calm weather.

2.3 It shall be capable of throwing a line in such a manner that the lateral deflection on either side of the direction of firing does not exceed 10

per cent

. of the length of flight of the rocket in calm weather.

3.

Marking

3.1 A line-throwing appliance shall be marked with brief instructions or diagrams clearly illustrating the use of the appliance.

3.2 The date of manufacture and the date of expiry shall be marked indelibly on the rockets, cartridges and ignitors.

Twelfth Schedule,

Part I.

PART VI

INSTRUCTIONS, INFORMATION AND STOWAGE

S.I. No. 380 of 1993.

MERCHANT SHIPPING (LIFE-SAVING APPLIANCES) RULES, 1993.

ARRANGEMENT OF RULES

PART I—PRELIMINARY

Rule

1 Citation

2 Interpretation

3 Classification of ships

4 Application

PART II—PASSENGER SHIPS

5 Class I Passenger ships engaged on voyages (not being short international voyages) any of which are long international voyages

6 Class II Passenger ships engaged on voyages (not being long international voyages) any of which are short international voyages

Class II (A) Passenger ships (other than ships of Classes III to VI inclusive) engaged on voyages of any kind other than international voyages

PART III—SHIPS OTHER THAN PASSENGER SHIPS

7

Class VII

Ships other than tankers engaged on voyages any of which are long international voyages

Class VIII

Ships other than tankers engaged on voyages (not being long international voyages) any of which are short international voyages

Class VIII (A)

Ships other than tankers engaged only on voyages which are not international voyages

Class IX

Tugs and tenders which proceed to sea but are not engaged on long international voyages

8

Class VII (T)

Tankers engaged on voyages any of which are long international voyages

Class VIII(T)

Tankers engaged on voyages (not being long international voyages) any of which are short international voyages

Class VIII (A)(T)

Tankers engaged only on voyages which are not international voyages

9

Class IX(A)

Ships other than tankers which do not proceed to sea

Class IX(A)(T)

Tankers which do not proceed to sea

10

Class XI

Sailing ships which proceed to sea

11

Class XII

Pleasure craft of 13.7 metres in length or over

PART IV—GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

12 Approval and replacement of life-saving appliances

13 Operational readiness, maintenance, inspections and servicing

14 Operating instructions for survival craft and their launching controls

15 Survival craft muster and embarkation arrangements

16 Stowage of survival craft, rescue boats and inflated boats

17 Launching stations

18 Survival craft launching arrangements

19 Marine Escape Systems

20 Rescue boat embarkation, launching and recovery arrangements

21 Stowage of lifebuoys

22 Stowage of lifejackets

23 Stowage of portable radio equipment

24 Stowage and packing of pyrotechnic distress signals

25 Immersion suits

26 Manning of survival craft

27 Equivalents and exemptions

SCHEDULES

No. of Schedule

1

Lifeboats

Part I

Lifeboats — general (including equipment)

Part II

Partially enclosed lifeboats

Part III

Self-righting partially enclosed lifeboats

Part IV

Totally enclosed lifeboats

Part V

Lifeboats with self-contained air support system

Part VI

Fire protected lifeboats

Part VII

Lifeboat disengaging gear

Part VIII

Manual pumps

Part IX

Lifeboat lights

2

Rescue boats

Part I

Rigid boats

Part II

Rigid inflated boats

Part III

Inflated boats

Part IV

Rescue boat disengaging gear

3

Inflated boats

4

Liferafts

Part I

Inflatable liferafts (SOLAS)

Part II

Inflatable liferafts (Non-SOLAS)

Part III

Rigid liferafts

Part IV

Liferaft equipment

Part V

Automatic release hooks

Part VI

Float-free arrangements

Part VII

Liferaft lights

Part VIII

Gas inflation system

5

Marine Escape Systems

Part I

Construction and performance

Part II

Training

6

Launching Appliances and Embarkation Ladders

Part I

General

Part II

Lifeboat and rescue boat launching appliances

Part III

Liferaft launching appliances

Part IV

Inflated boat launching appliances

Part V

Embarkation ladders

7

Survival Craft Equipment and Rations

Part I

Sea anchors

Part II

First aid outfit

Part III

Food rations

Part IV

Fresh water

Part V

Lifeboat and rescue boat compasses

8

Pyrotechnic Signals and Line-throwing Appliances

Part I

Rocket parachute flares

Part II

Hand flares

Part III

Buoyant smoke signals

Part IV

Red star distress rocket signals

Part V

Line-throwing appliances

Part VI

Instructions, information and stowage

9

Lifebuoys and Attachments

Part I

Lifebuoys (SOLAS)

Part II

Lifebuoys (610 mm)

Part III

Lifebuoy self-igniting lights

Part IV

Lifebuoy self-activating smoke signals

Part V

Lifebuoy buoyant lifelines

10

Lifejackets and Attachments

Part I

Inherently buoyant lifejackets

Part II

Inflatable lifejackets

Part III

Lifejacket lights

11

Immersion Suits and Thermal Protective Aids

Part I

Immersion suits

Part II

Thermal protective aids

12

Training Manuals and Maintenance Instructions

Part I

Training manuals

Part II

Instructions for on-board maintenance

13

General Emergency Alarm Systems

14

Areas of smooth waters and partially smooth waters

15

Figures 1 and 2.

S.I. No. 380 of 1993.

MERCHANT SHIPPING (LIFE-SAVING APPLIANCES) RULES, 1993

I, DAVID ANDREWS, Minister for the Marine, in exercise of the powers conferred on me by section 427 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894 (as amended by

section 11

of the

Merchant Shipping (Safety Convention) Act, 1952

(No. 29 of 1952) and

section 10

of the

Merchant Shipping Act, 1966

(No. 20 of 1966)), and the Communications (Transfer of Departmental Administration and Ministerial Functions) Order, 1987 (

S.I. No. 91 of 1987

), hereby make the following Rules:—

PART I—PRELIMINARY

1 Citation.

1.

These Rules may be cited as the Merchant Shipping (Life-Saving Appliances) Rules, 1993, and shall come into operation on the 1st day of April, 1994.

2 Interpretation.

2.

(1) In these Rules

"buoyant lifeline" means a line complying with the requirements of Part V of the Ninth Schedule to these Rules;

"buoyant smoke signal" means a pyrotechnic signal complying with the requirements of Part III of the Eighth Schedule to these Rules;

"cargo ship" means any ship which is not a passenger ship, pleasure craft or fishing vessel;

"certificated person" means a member of the crew who holds either

(

a

) a Certificate of Proficiency in Survival Craft under the Merchant Shipping (Certificates of Proficiency in Survival Craft) Regulations, 1984 (

S.I. No. 191 of 1984

), or such certificate issued by or under the authority of any Government outside the State which is recognised by the Minister as being equivalent to a certificate issued under those Regulations; or

(

b

) a Certificate of Efficiency as Lifeboatman issued before the 19th October, 1984, by or under the authority of the Minister or such certificate issued before the 19th October, 1984, by or under the authority of any Government outside the State which is recognised by the Minister as being the equivalent of such a certificate issued by or under the authority of the Minister.

"chemical tanker" means a cargo ship constructed or adapted and used for the carriage in bulk of any liquid product listed in either