The Merchant Shipping (Life-Saving Appliances for Passenger Ships of Classes III to VI (A)) Regulations 1992

Stowage of liferafts, open reversible liferafts, lifeboats, rescue boats and inflated boats

14.—(1) Each liferaft shall be stowed so that it can be released from one position on the ship or alternatively that all the liferafts on one side of the ship can be released from one position on the respective side. Such position or positions shall be in or adjacent to the position from which the ship is steered. The stowage and release arrangements shall be such that each raft is automatically inflated on reaching the water. The liferafts shall be suitably stowed in order that they will not interfere with the launching of lifeboats, rescue boats or other liferafts including bowsing-in arrangements.

(2) Liferafts shall be stowed, as far as practicable, in a secure and sheltered position.

(3) Every liferaft shall be stowed with its painter permanently attached to the ship and with a float-free arrangement so that the liferaft floats free and inflates automatically if the ship sinks. Every liferaft shall also be so stowed that it can be manually released from its securing arrangements. Notwithstanding the performance requirements in paragraph 3.3.3 of Part VI of Schedule 4 the float-free arrangement shall be capable of being activated in the depths of water in which the ship operates. Where the depth of water is restricted alternative arrangements may be fitted for this float-free capability.

(4) Lifeboats, rescue and inflated boats shall be stowed:

(a) in a state of continuous readiness for launching;

(b) in a position suitable for launching and recovery; and

(c) so that neither the lifeboats, rescue boat or inflated boat nor its stowage arrangements will interfere with the operation of any liferaft or open reversible liferaft at any other launching station.