Lifesaving Appliances and Emergency Equipment

Lifesaving appliances are essential equipment on all merchant and passenger ships, designed to ensure the safety of crew and passengers in emergency situations.

These appliances must comply with international regulations, such as those set by the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

Collective Lifesaving Appliances

Lifeboats:

    • Primary lifesaving appliance designed to carry a specific number of people.
    • Generally propelled by an engine.
    • Equipped with essential survival equipment, including first aid kits, food, water, and radio communication devices.

Life Rafts:

    • Non-powered, inflatable lifesaving crafts designed to carry a smaller number of people.
    • Can be deployed from the ship either by being thrown overboard and boarded by means of a ladder, or by being lowered into the water using davits.
    • Equipped with essential survival equipment, including thermal protective aids, first aid kits, and sea anchors.

Rescue boats :

    • Used by the crew for gathering life rafts or recovering persons who have fallen overboard (MOB – Man Overboard).

Individual Lifesaving Appliances

All vessels must be equipped with individual lifesaving appliances such as:

Lifebuoys: These are thrown overboard in the event of a person falling overboard. At least two lifebuoys, known as "Man Overboard" buoys, must be equipped with a self-activating light and smoke signal. 

Immersion suits: Each person on board must be provided with an immersion suit (also known as anti-exposure suits). These suits provide effective protection against hypothermia. The insulation of an immersion suit should ensure the body temperature does not drop more than 2°C after 6 hours in seas of between 0 and 2°C.

Lifejackets: Personal flotation devices (PFDs) can be automatic or manual inflation types, designed to keep individuals afloat. Lifejackets must be readily accessible to all crew and passengers stored in clearly marked containers on deck, in work areas and in accommodation areas.

In addition to standard lifejackets, there will be lifejackets for children under 43 kg (child-sized lifejackets). On passenger vessels, for infants under 15 kg, there will be infant-sized lifejackets.

Emergency Radio Equipment

In the event of an abandon ship, the crew will take portable radio equipment for distress signaling, such as:

  • Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRBs): These transmit the vessel's position and identity to a shore-based station via satellite, which will coordinate the rescue.
  • SART (Search and Rescue Transponders): These transmit the distress position to nearby vessels, either by radar or Automatic Identification System (AIS).
  • Very High Frequency (VHF) radio: This enables voice communication with rescuers on the scene.

Requirements for Lifesaving Appliances

  • Number and Capacity: The number and capacity of lifesaving appliances must be sufficient to accommodate all persons on board.
  • Location: Lifesaving appliances must be strategically located throughout the ship for easy access in an emergency.
  • Maintenance: Lifesaving appliances must be regularly inspected, tested, and maintained to ensure their proper functioning.
  • Emergency Drills: Regular emergency drills must be conducted to familiarize crew and passengers with the location and use of lifesaving appliances.

Modifié le: jeudi 17 octobre 2024, 14:11