[Code of Federal Regulations]

[Title 46, Volume 4]

[Revised as of October 1, 2006]

From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access

[CITE: 46CFR108.530]



[Page 145-146]

 

                            TITLE 46_SHIPPING



                  (This book contains parts 90 to 139)

 

   CHAPTER I--COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED)

 

PART 108_DESIGN AND EQUIPMENT--Table of Contents

 

                     Subpart E_Lifesaving Equipment

 

Sec.  108.530  Stowage of survival craft.



    (a) General. Each survival craft required to be served by a 

launching appliance or marine evacuation system must be stowed as 

follows:

    (1) Each survival craft must be stowed as close to the accommodation 

and service spaces as possible.

    (2) Each survival craft must be stowed in a way that neither the 

survival craft nor its stowage arrangements will interfere with the 

embarkation and operation of any other survival craft or rescue boat at 

any other launching station.

    (3) Each survival craft must be stowed as near the water surface as 

is safe and practicable.

    (4) Each survival craft must be stowed where the survival craft, in 

the embarkation position, is above the waterline with the unit--

    (i) In the fully loaded condition; and

    (ii) Listed up to 20 degrees either way, or to the angle where the 

unit's weatherdeck edge becomes submerged, whichever is less.

    (5) Each survival craft must be sufficiently ready for use so that 

two crew members can complete preparations for embarkation and launching 

in less than 5 minutes.

    (6) Each survival craft must be fully equipped as required under 

this subpart.

    (7) Each survival craft must be in a secure and sheltered position 

and protected from damage by fire and explosion, as far as practicable.

    (8) Each survival craft must not require lifting from its stowed 

position in order to launch, except that a davit-launched liferaft may 

be lifted by a manually powered winch from its stowed position to its 

embarkation position.

    (b) Additional lifeboat-specific stowage requirements. In addition 

to meeting the requirements of paragraph (a) of this section, each 

lifeboat must be stowed as follows:

    (1) The unit must be arranged so each lifeboat, in its stowed 

position, is protected from damage by heavy seas.

    (2) Each lifeboat must be stowed attached to its launching 

appliance.

    (3) Each lifeboat must be provided a means for recharging the 

lifeboat batteries from the unit's power supply at a supply voltage not 

exceeding 50 volts.

    (c) Additional liferaft-specific stowage requirements. In addition 

to meeting the requirements of paragraph (a) of this section, each 

liferaft must be stowed as follows:

    (1) Each liferaft must be stowed to permit manual release from its 

securing arrangements.

    (2) Each liferaft must be stowed at a height above the waterline in 

the lightest seagoing condition, not greater than the maximum stowage 

height indicated on the liferaft. Each liferaft without an indicated 

maximum stowage height must be stowed not more than 18 meters (59 feet) 

above the waterline in the unit's lightest seagoing condition.

    (3) Each liferaft must be arranged to permit it to drop into the 

water from the deck on which it is stowed. A liferaft stowage 

arrangement meets this requirement if it--

    (i) Is outboard of the rail or bulwark;

    (ii) Is on stanchions or on a platform adjacent to the rail or 

bulwark; or

    (iii) Has a gate or other suitable opening to allow the liferaft to 

be pushed directly overboard.

    (4) Each davit-launched liferaft must be stowed within reach of its 

lifting hook, unless some means of transfer is provided that is not 

rendered inoperable--



[[Page 146]]



    (i) Within the list limits specified in paragraph (a)(4)(ii) of this 

section;

    (ii) By unit motion; or

    (iii) By power failure.

    (5) Each rigid container for an inflatable liferaft to be launched 

by a launching appliance must be secured in a way that the container or 

parts of it are prevented from falling into the water during and after 

inflation and launching of the contained liferaft.

    (6) Each liferaft must have a painter system providing a connection 

between the unit and the liferaft.

    (7) Each liferaft or group of liferafts must be arranged for float-

free launching. The arrangement must ensure that the liferaft or 

liferafts when released and inflated, are not dragged under by the 

sinking unit. A hydrostatic release unit used in a float-free 

arrangement must be approved under approval series 160.162.