Merchant Shipping (Safety and Load Line Conventions) Act 1932

REGULATION XXIX Buoyant Apparatus.

Buoyant apparatus, whether buoyant deck seats, buoyant deck chairs or other buoyant apparatus, shall be deemed sufficient, so far as buoyancy is concerned, for a person or number of persons to be ascertained by dividing the number of kilogrammes of iron which it is capable of supporting in fresh water by 14.5 (equivalent to the number of pounds divided by 32), and if the apparatus depends for its buoyancy on air it shall not require to be inflated before use in an emergency.

The number of persons for whom the apparatus is deemed suitable shall be determined by the least of the numbers ascertained either as above or by the number of 30.5 centimetres (equivalent to one foot) in the perimeter.

Such approved buoyant apparatus shall comply with the following conditions :—

1.

It shall be constructed with proper workmanship and materials.

2.

It shall be effective and stable when floating either way up.

3.

It shall be of such size, strength and weight that it can be handled without mechanical appliances and, if necessary, thrown without damage from the vessel's deck on which it is stowed.

4.

The air-cases or equivalent buoyancy shall be placed as near as possible to the sides of the apparatus.

5.

It shall have a line securely becketed round the outside of the apparatus.