What are the SOLAS requirements for LSA on all Cargo Ship
SOLAS — International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea — Chapter III — Life-saving appliances and arrangements — Part B –
Requirements for ships and life-saving appliances — Section I — Passenger Ships and Cargo Ships — Regulation 7 — Personal life-saving
appliances.
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1. LIFEBUOY
1.1. Lifebuoys complying with the requirements of paragraph 2.1.1* of 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.
1.2. At least one lifebuoy on each side of the ship shall be fitted with a buoyant lifeline complying with the requirements of paragraph 2.1.4* 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 m, whichever is the greater.
1.3. Not less than one half of the total number of lifebuoys shall be provided with lifebuoy self-igniting lights complying with the requirements of paragraph 2.1.2* of the Code; not less than two of these shall also be provided with lifebuoy self-activating smoke signals complying with the requirements of paragraph 2.1.3* of 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 paragraph 1.2*.
1.4. 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.
2. LIFEJACKETS
2.1. A lifejacket complying with the requirements of paragraph 2.2.1 or 2.2.2* of the Code shall be provided for every person on board the ship and, in addition:
.1. a number of lifejackets suitable for children equal to at least 10% of the number of passengers on board shall be provided or such greater number as may be required to provide a lifejacket for each child; and
.2. a sufficient number of lifejackets shall be carried for persons on watch and for use at remotely located survival craft stations. The lifejackets carried for persons on watch should be stowed on the bridge, in the engine control room and at any other manned watch station.
2.2. Lifejackets shall be so placed as to be readily accessible and their position shall be plainly indicated. Where, due to the particular arrangements of the ship, the lifejackets provided in compliance with the requirements of paragraph 2.1* may become inaccessible, alternative provisions shall be made to the satisfaction of the Administration which may include an increase in the number of lifejackets to be carried.
2.3. The lifejackets used in totally enclosed lifeboats, except free-fall lifeboats, shall not impede entry into the lifeboat or seating, including operation of the seat belts in the lifeboat.
2.4. Lifejackets selected for free-fall lifeboats, and the manner in which they are carried or worn, shall not interfere with entry into the lifeboat, occupant safety or operation of the lifeboat.
IMMERSION SUIT
An immersion suit, complying with the requirements of section 2.3* of the Code or an anti-exposure suit complying with section 2.4* of the Code, of an appropriate size, shall be provided for every person assigned to crew the rescue boat or assigned to the marine evacuation system party. If the ship is constantly engaged in warm climates see footnote where, in the opinion of the Administration thermal protection is unnecessary, this protective clothing need not be carried.
*2.1.1. At least 3 two-way VHF radiotelephone apparatus shall be provided on every passenger ship and on every cargo ship of 500 gross
tonnage and upwards. At least 2 two-way VHF radiotelephone apparatus shall be provided on every cargo ship of 300 gross tonnage and
upwards but less than 500 gross tonnage. Such apparatus shall conform to performance standards not inferior to those adopted by the
Organization. If a fixed two-way VHF radiotelephone apparatus is fitted in a survival craft it shall conform to performance standards not inferior to those adopted by Organization.
*2.1.2 Two-way VHF radiotelephone apparatus provided on board shipsprior to 1 February 1992 and not complying fully with the performance standards adopted by the Organization may be accepted by the Adminis-tration until 1 February 1999 provided the Administration is satisfied thatthey are compatible with approved two-way VHF radiotelephone apparatus.
