The Merchant Shipping (Life-Saving Appliances For Ships Other Than Ships Of Classes III To VI(A)) Regulations 1999

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

1.  These Regulations revoke and replace the Merchant Shipping (Life-Saving Appliances) Regulations 1980 and the Merchant Shipping (Life-Saving Appliances) Regulations 1986, and their amendments. They will apply from [ 1999] to ships of Classes 1, II, II(A), VII, VII(A), VII(T), VIII, VIII(A), VIII(A)(T), VIII(T), IX, IX(A), IX(A)(T), XI and XII.

2.  These Regulations deal separately with ships constructed before 1st July 1986 (Part II), ships constructed on or after 1st July 1986 and before 1st July 1998 (Part III) and ships constructed on or after 1st Julu 1998 (Part IV).

3.  A number of the detailed technical requirements and specifications are not contained in Merchant Shipping Notices MSN 1676(M) and 1677(M).

4.  The principal changes from the previous Regulations include changes concerning—

(a) recent amendments to the SOLAS Convention revising the performance specifications of radar transponders, satellite emergency position indicator radar beacons and two-way VHF radiotelephones;

(b) substitution of parachute rocket signals for the obsolescent red star distress signal;

(c) the requirement of EC Directive 92/29/EEC on the contents of a first-aid kit;

(d) the provision of public address systems on passenger ships;

(e) liferafts to be served by marine evacuation systems or launching appliances;

(f) certain survival craft may be replaced by a marine evacuation system;

(g) provision of float-free stowage arrangements and boarding ramps for liferafts;

(h) provision of automatic self-righting and canopied reversible liferafts;

(i) provision of fast rescue boats and launching appliances;

(j) lifejackets to be stowed in vicinity of assembly stations and provision of lifejacket lights;

(k) provision of a “a means of rescue”;

(l) provision of lifejacket lights on Class II and II(A) vessels;

(m) provision of helicopter landing and pick-up areas on Class I, II and II(A) vessels;

(n) amendment term “muster station” to “assembly station” on Class I, II and II(A) on Class I, II and II(A) ro-ro passenger ships; and

(o) replacement of lifejacket lights with improved performances.

5.  A compliance cost assessment has been prepared and copies can be obtained from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, Spring Place, 105 Commercial Road, Southampton SO15 1EG. A copy has been placed in the library of each House of Parliament.

6.  Merchant Shipping Notices referred to in these Regulations are obtainable from distribution agents Eros Marketing Support Services Ltd, Delta House, Imber Court Trading Estate, Orchard Land, East Molesey, Surrey KT8 0BN (Telephone Number: 0181 957 5028).

7.  The SOLAS Convention, its Protocol and amendments, IMO Resolutions and Publications and the Codes and Guidelines referred to in the Regulations are obtainable from the International Maritime Organisation, 4 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7SR.

8.  Copies of the British Standard specifications and International Standards referred to in these Regulations may be obtained from any of the sale outlets operated by the British Standards Institution, or by post from the British Standards Institution at Linford Wood, Milton Keynes MK14 6LE (Telephone Number: Milton Keynes (STD 01908) 320066).

9.  Copies of the table “Life-Saving Signals and Rescue Methods, SOLAS No. 1” referred to in these Regulations may be obtained from The Stationery Office Limited, Publications Centre at PO Box 276, London SW8 5DT.