Launching stations for survival craft and rescue boats

(1) Launching stations shall be in such positions as to ensure safe launching having particular regard to clearance from the propeller and steeply overhanging portion of the hull so that, as far as possible, survival craft can be launched down the straight side of the ship. Where positioned forward, they shall be located abaft the collision bulkhead in a sheltered position and, in this respect, the Administration shall give special consideration to the strength of the launching appliance. (2) Each survival craft shall be stowed– (a) so that neither the survival craft nor its stowage arrangements will interfere with the operation of any other survival craft or rescue boat at any other launching station; (b) as near the water surface as is safe and practicable and, in the case of a survival craft other than a liferaft intended for throw overboard launching, in such a position that the survival craft in the embarkation positions is not less than 2m above the waterline with the ship in fully loaded condition under unfavorable conditions of trim and listed up to 20o either way, or to the angle at which the ship’s weatherdeck edge becomes submerged, whichever is less; Merchant Ships (Registration) 197 (c) in a state of continuous readiness so that two persons can carry out preparations or embarkation and launching in less than five minutes; (d) fully equipped as required by this Part; and (e) as far as practicable, in secure and sheltered positions close to accommodation and service spaces and protected from damage by fire or explosion. (3) Lifeboats for lowering down the ship’s side shall be stowed as far forward of the propeller as practicable. (4) Lifeboats shall be stowed attached to launching (5) Every liferaft shall be stowed with its painter permanently attached to the ship and with a float-free arrangement so that the liferaft floats free and, if inflatable, inflates automatically when the ship sinks. (6) In addition to meeting the requirements of subregulation (5), liferafts shall be so stowed as to permit manual release from their securing arrangements. (7) Davit launched liferafts shall be stowed within reach of the lifting hooks, unless some means of transfer is provided which is not rendered inoperable within the limits of trim and list prescribed in subregulation (2)(b). (8) Rescue boats shall be stowed– (a) in a state of continuous readiness for launching in not more than 5 min.; (b) in a position suitable for launching and recovery; Merchant Ships (Registration) 198 (c) so that neither the rescue boat nor its stowage arrangements will interfere with the operation of any survival craft at any other launching station; and (d) if it is also a lifeboat, in compliance with the requirements of subregulations (2)(b)(d), (3) and (4).