SOLAS REQUIREMENT FOR LIFEBUOYS

• Lifebuoys complying with the  Code shall be:

1. So distributed as to be readily available on both sides of the ship and as far as practicable on all open decks extending to the ship’s side; at least one shall be placed in the vicinity of the stern; and
2. So stowed as to be capable of being rapidly cast loose, and not permanently secured in any way.

• At least one lifebuoy on each side of the ship shall be fitted with a buoyant lifeline complying with the requirements of the Code equal in length to not less than twice the height at which it is stowed above the waterline in the lightest seagoing condition, or 30 mtr, whichever is the greater.

• Not less than one-half of the total number of lifebuoys shall be provided with lifebuoy self-igniting lights complying with the requirements of the Code; not less than two of these shall also be provided with lifebuoy self-activating smoke signals complying with the requirements the Code and be capable of quick release from the navigation bridge; lifebuoys with lights and those with lights and smoke signals shall be equally distributed on both sides of the ship and shall not be the lifebuoys provided with lifelines in compliance with the requirements of above paragraph .

• Each lifebuoy shall be marked in block capitals of the Roman alphabet with the name and port of registry of the ship on which it is carried.

NUMBER OF LIFEBUOYS CARRIED BY CARGO SHIP AS PER SOLAS

Cargo ships shall carry not less than the number of lifebuoys complying with the requirements of the Code prescribed in the following table:

Length of ship in meters Minimum number of lifebuoys

Self-igniting lights for lifebuoys on tankers shall be of an electric battery type.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR LIFEBUOYS 

Every lifebuoy shall:

• Have an outer diameter of not more than 800 mm and an inner diameter of not less than 400 mm;
• Be constructed of inherently buoyant material; it shall not depend on upon rushes, cork shavings or granulated cork, any other loose granulated material or any air compartment which depends on inflation for buoyancy;
• Be capable of supporting not less than 14.5 kg of iron in fresh water for a period of 24 hours;
• Have a mass of not less than 2.5 kg;
• Not sustain burning or continue melting after being totally enveloped in a fire for a period of 2 seconds;
• Be constructed to withstand a drop into the water from the height at which it is stowed above the waterline in the lightest seagoing condition or 30 m, whichever is the greater, without impairing either its operating capability or that of its attached components;
• If it is intended to operate the quick release arrangement provided for the self-activated smoke signals and self-igniting lights, have a mass sufficient to operate the quick release arrangement; be fitted with a grab line not less than 9.5 mm in diameter and not less than 4 times the outside diameter of the body of the buoy in length. The grab line shall be secured at four equidistant points around the circumference of the buoy to form our equal loops.

Self-igniting lights shall:

• Be such that they cannot be extinguished by water;
• Be of white colour and capable of either burning continuously with a luminous intensity of not less than 2 cd in all directions of the upper hemisphere or flashing (discharge flashing) at a rate of not less than 50 flashes and not more than 70 flashes per minute with at least the corresponding effective luminous intensity;
• Be provided with a source of energy capable of meeting the requirement of the previous paragraph for a period of at least 2 hours;
• Be capable of withstanding the drop test into the water from the height at which it is stowed above the waterline in the lightest seagoing condition or 30 m, whichever is the greater, without impairing either its operating capability or that of its attached components.

Self-activating smoke signals shall:

• Emit smoke of a highly visible colour at a uniform rate for a period of at least 15 min when floating in calm water;
• Not ignite explosively or emit any flame during the entire smoke emission time of the signal;
• Not be swamped in a seaway;
• Continue to emit smoke when fully submerged in water for a period of at least 10 s;
• Be capable of withstanding the drop test into the water from the height at which it is stowed above the waterline in the lightest seagoing condition or 30 m, whichever is the greater, without impairing either its operating capability or that of its attached components.

Buoyant lifelines shall:

• Be non-kinking;
• Have a diameter of not less than 8 mm; and
• Have a breaking strength of not less than 5 kN.

NOTE :- Lifebuoy used close to the pilot ladders for receiving the pilots shall not be provided with the lifeline as it may foul the propeller of the pilot boat if used in case of emergency hence only the lifebuoy with light is used for the pilot embarkation and the separate rope is used as the heaving line. (Refer SOLAS CH V REG – 23.7.1.2)

Photo by LoboStudio Hamburg