The International Life Saving Appliance Code
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The International Life Saving Appliance Code
All LSA shall be resistant to damage from sunlight, temperature changes (no damage when stowed from -30°C to 65°C), moisture
All LSA shall be marked with details of Administration approval
LSA shall have retro-reflective tape where beneficial to discovery/identification
Lifeboats, liferafts and MES shall be capable of being launched when the ship is in its lightest condition with an adverse trim of 10° and list of 20°
LSA shall operate in sea water temperatures of -1°C to 30°C
Lifebuoys
At least 2.5kg in weight, at least 400mm inside and up to 800mm outside
Inherently buoyant and capable of supporting 14.5kg for 24 hours
Fitted with a grabline at least 4 times its diameter to form four equal loops
White light flashing 50-70bpm or always on, battery for at least 2 hours
Smoke of a highly visible colour lasting at least 15 minutes
Buoyant lifelines at least 8mm, non-kinking, breaking strain at least 5kN
Lifejackets
Three sizes – Infant, Child and Adult based on height and weight
Accessories to allow lifejackets to support and fit very large people (140kg)
Designed with one obvious way of wearing it (75% of people work it out in 1 minute) and capable of being secured in this position
Turns and supports unconscious people upright, leaning back with open airway
No more than 5% loss of buoyancy after 24h in water
Whistle attached by a lanyard
Lights shall be white and last at least 8 hours, always on or flashing 50-70bpm
Immersion Suits
A suit covering the whole body except for the face, gloves may be removable but permanently attached
Can be buoyant itself or clearly marked that a lifejacket is also needed
If buoyant must have own light, lifeline and means of pulling person into liferaft
If not insulated and worn with warm clothing must stop the wearer’s core temperature dropping more than 2° in 1 hour
If insulated must prevent a drop of more than 2° in 6 hours
Anti-Exposure Suits
A suit covering the whole body (feet optional) with removable but permanently attached hood and gloves
At least 70N inherent buoyancy (Colsalt Premier lifejacket gives ~190N), tends to hold wearer face up
Equipped with VHF radio
With or without a requirement for warm clothing keeps the core temperature of the wearer from dropping at a rate of more than 1.5°/hour in the first 30 minutes
Thermal Protective Aid
A waterproof suit or sack covering the whole body with the exception of the face, removable but permanently attached gloves may be provided
Signals
Rocket Parachute Flare
Consists of a labelled water-resistant casing with its own means of ignition
Rocket reaches at least 300m
Flare descends at no more than 5m/s (= descent of at least 60s)
Flares burns red, at least 30,000 candelas
Burning time of at least 40s
Hand Flare
Consists of a labelled water-resistant casing with its own means of ignition
Burns red, at least 15,000 candelas
Burning time of at least 1 minute
Continues to burn after being submerged for 10s under 100mm of water
Buoyant Smoke Signal
Consists of a labelled water-resistant casing with its own means of ignition
Produces smoke of a highly visible colour for at least 3 minutes
Continues to produce smoke when submerged for 10s under 100mm of water
Survival Craft
Liferafts
Built to last at least 30 days in any sea condition
Minimum capacity 6 persons
If inflatable having at least two separate chambers providing sufficient buoyancy when fully laden
Inflation time less than 1 min in temperatures above -30°C
Floors shall be capable of providing insulation either by inflating or some other means
Drop tested for the height of stowage above waterline (minimum drop test 18m)
Capable of being towed at 3kts fully laden with sea anchor streamed
Fitted with a canopy offering insulation from heat and cold, a rainwater collection facility, the ability to mount SART at least 1m up, headroom for sitting under all parts, sufficient ventilation with doors closed, at least one viewing port and easily adjusted doors (at least two on opposite sides if 8-man or more)
Inflatable and rigid liferafts shall have a boarding ramp for at least one entrance, ladders for any others
Automatically activatingexteriorlight on canopy with manual override, white light continuous or flashing 50-70bpm with at least 12h endurance
Automatically activating interior light with manual override
Canister weight no more than 185kg unless appliance-launched (ie not throwover or side-to-side transfer)
Painter of at least 10m plus distance from stowage to waterline (minimum total 15m) attached to the ship by a weak-link that prevents dragging under but is still strong enough to ensure activation. Hydrostatic release units may also be involved and should activate before reaching a depth of 4m
Equipment:SOLAS A Pack – ALLSOLAS B Pack – Not Included
One buoyant rescue quoit with at least 30m of buoyant line
One non-folding buoyant knife secured by lanyard and pocket near the painter
(Second knife of any kind in liferafts for 13 or more people)
One buoyant bailer
(Second buoyant bailer in liferafts for 13 or more people)
Two sponges for collecting condensation/drying out floor
Two sea anchors with hawser and tripping line. One is to be rigged ready and, if the liferaft is not davit-launched, automatically deployed on inflation
Two buoyant paddles
Three tin openers
One pair of scissors
Waterproof first-aid kit
One whistle or equivalent
Four rocket parachute flares, six hand flares, two smoke floats (half as much in SOLAS B)
Waterproof torch with spare bulb and batteries
Radar reflector or SART
Signalling mirror
Life-saving signals card
Fishing tackle
10,000KJ (2,400 calories) of food rations per person
1.5l of fresh water per person (part may be desalinating apparatus)
One rustproof graduated drinking vessel
48h worth of seasickness meds and one sick bag per person
Survival instructions
Immediate actions instructions
TPAs for 10% of capacity (minimum 2)
* Inflatable liferafts shall also have a puncture repair kit and bellows and knives, tin openers and scissors shall be safety types
Canisters marked with:
Maker’s name or trademark
Serial Number
Name of approving authority
Capacity
SOLAS
Pack A or B
Last service date
Painter length
Mass if greater than 185kg
Maximum stowage height (from drop test and painter length)
Launching instructions
Inflatable Liferafts marked with:
Maker’s name or trademark
Serial number
Month and year of manufacture
Name of approving authority
Name and location of last servicing station
Capacity
Rigid Liferafts marked with:
Ship’s name and port of registry
Maker’s name or trademark
Serial number
Name of approving authority
Capacity
SOLAS
Pack A or B
Length of painter
Maximum stowage height
Launching instructions
Lifeboats
Rigid, fire-retardant hull of inherently buoyant material(280N per person) fitted with skates and fenders if launched down ship’s side
Capable of maintaining positive stability when fully loaded and holed at one point below the waterline
Capable of floating when fully loaded, flooded and open to the sea
Maintain a positive GM when half capacity all sit on one side
Capable of being launched and towed when the ship is making 5kts
Maximum capacity permitted 150 persons
Capable of being boarded by its full complement in 10mins (passenger ships) or 3mins (cargo ships)
Movable boarding ladder extending at least 0.4m below waterline
Non-skid surfaces wherever people might step
Hand-holds or buoyant lifeline around the outside, except near the propeller
Self-righting or fitted with hand-holds on the underside
Fitted with a compression-ignition engine with two independent, rechargeable energy sources capable of running for 5mins out of the water, a propeller that can be disengaged. The assembly shall be able to provide ahead and astern propulsion
Capable of 6kts and 2kts when towing the ship’s largest liferaft fully-laden
Fitted with a rudder and tiller (if there is a steering wheel the tiller may be removable)
Hooks must release simultaneously
The mechanism must allow both off-load release and on-load requiring manual override of safety precautions
The painter must be attached to a device that allows its release from inside the boat
Whiteexterior light on roof always on or flashing 50-70bpm, 12h endurance
White interior light, 12h endurance
Equipment:
Sufficient oars for that boat to make headway
Two boat hooks
Buoyant bailer
Two buckets
Survival manual
Luminous or illuminated compass (at steering position in TEMPSC)
Sea anchor with hawser and tripping line suitable for the boat
Two painters of a length twice the stowage position height above the waterline (15m minimum), one in bow ready for use and one attached to release device (both in bow on freefall)
Two hatchets, one at each end of lifeboat
3 litres of water per person, part of which may be desalination apparatus
One rustproof dipper with lanyard
One rustproof graduated drinking vessel
10,000KJ (2,400 calories) of food rations per person
Four rocket parachute flares, six hand flares, two smoke floats
One waterproof torch with spare bulb and batteries (suitable for Morse)
Signalling mirror with instructions
Life-saving signals card
One whistle or equivalent sound signalling device
Waterproof first-aid kit
Seasickness meds for 48h and one sick bag per person
One jack-knife with lanyard
Three tin openers
Two buoyant rescue quoits attached to at least 30m of buoyant line
A manual or automatic bailing system
Fishing tackle
Engine tool kit
Portable fire extinguisher suitable for oil-based fires
Searchlight with 6° beam capable of working for at least 3h
Radar reflector or SART
TPAs for 10% of capacity (minimum 2)
Visibly marked with:
Capacity
Ship’s name
Port of registry
Means of identification from the air
A permanently attached approval plate details:
Manufacturer’s name and address
Lifeboat model and serial number
Month and year of manufacture
Capacity
Approving administration
Any restrictions on use
Additionally the lifeboat’s certificate or declaration of conformity details:
Certificate number
Material of hull construction
Total mass fully laden
Towing force of the lifeboat
PEMSC
A lifeboat with a rigid cover over at least 20% of its length from the stem and 20% from the stern with the middle part capable of being made weatherproof by a foldable, insulated canopy.
TEMPSC
A lifeboat completely enclosed by a rigid cover with hatches allowing access to the hooks from within and making it possible to row the lifeboat. The boat shall be self-righting and capable of remaining afloat capsized when fully laden with all hatches closed. Safety belts of alternating colours shall be fitted to every seat capable of holding a 100kg person in their seat when the lifeboat is capsized.
Free Fall
A TEMPSC that can survive the impact of falling from its stowage height and make positive headway on contact with the water. Seats must have at least 10mm cushioning. Must be positioned so that they can launch, clear the ship and make headway despite 10° trim/20° list and fully loaded, loaded in the bow or stern or with only operating crew.
Lifeboat Air Systems
Maintain the atmospheric pressure inside the lifeboat within 20hPa of outside pressure for at least 10 minutes.
Fire Protection Systems
Capable of protecting the lifeboat from an engulfing oil fire for at least 8 minutes.
Rescue Boats
Can be rigid or inflatable or both
Inflatable boats must be able to maintain positive freeboard all around when punctured. This shall be achieved by providing either multiple inflated tubes or a single tube subdivided into at least five chambers
Suitable for rescuing people from the water and marshalling and towing liferafts
Must be between 3.8m (FRC 6m) and 8.5m in length
Seating positions for at least five people and space for a stretchered person (no one may sit on sides)
Capable of making at least 6kts for at least 4 hours (2kts when towing largest liferaft)
Fast Rescue Craft capable of making 20kts with three people on board or 8kts fully loaded for at least 4 hours
Equipment:
Sufficient oars with crutches or thole pins on lanyards to make headway
One buoyant bailer (note RB requires ‘effective means of bailing’)
Luminous or illuminated compass binnacle
Sea anchor with hawser and tripping line at least 10m long
Painter attached to release device
One buoyant towing line at least 50m long
One waterproof torch with spare bulb and batteries (suitable for Morse)
One whistle or equivalent sound signal
Waterproof first-aid kit
Two buoyant rescue quoits attached to at least 30m of buoyant line
Searchlight with 6° arc and at least 3 hours endurance
Radar reflector
TPAs for 10% of capacity (minimum 2)
Portable fire extinguisher suitable for oil-based fires
AND
In Rigid rescue boats:
One boat hook
One knife or hatchet
One bucket
In Inflatable rescue boats:
One safety boat hook
One buoyant safety knife
Two sponges
Puncture repair kit
Manually operated pump or bellows
In Fast Rescue Craft:
Waterproof VHF capable of hands-free operation
Launching Appliances
Lifeboat Launching Appliances
Capable of launching fully laden or merely crewed survival craft when ship has an adverse trim of up to 10° and list of 20°
Capable of activation from the deck or within the survival craft
Reliant only on gravity or stored mechanical power independent of ship’s power
Requiring minimal maintenance with easy access to maintainable parts
Falls must be steel wire rope
Safety factor for structurestrength is 4.5x maximum working load, 6x for falls, blocks etc
Capable of operation when iced
Appliances must have brakes capable of holding the fully laden craft
Lifeboat appliances capable of recovering lifeboat using hand crank
Rescue boat appliances must have a motor capable of recovering at a rate of 0.3m/s minimum (FRC 0.8m/s) and recovery strops to prevent danger from blocks in heavy weather
If fitted with recovery motor an automatic cut-off must prevent pulling in too far
Lowering speed limit determined by formula in LSA Code
Float free devices shall be automatic
Free-fall lifeboat appliances to prevent friction or sparking on launch and positioned so that it doesn’t exceed the boat’s launching height in the ship’s lightest condition
Release mechanisms must require at least two independent actions to operate
Liferaft Launching Appliances
Much the same as lifeboats except they can be manually turned out rather than using gravity or stored mechanical energy and don’t need to be able to recover a fully laden raft
On-load/off-load release mechanism with automatic off-load release and manual on-load release clearly distinct and requiring at least two actions
Embarkation Ladders
Manila rope or equivalent with non-slip hardwood steps space 300-380mm apart
Marine Evacuation Systems
A platform for boarding rafts or incorporating rafts itself accessed by a boarding device such as a slide. The boarding device must allow the crew to climb back up and be able to break away when boarding is complete
Must be deployable by one person
If it is to be used with rafts they must be stowed nearby and capable of being launched individually clear of the MES
Capable of evacuating the assigned number of people within 30 minutes
Must allow at least two liferafts to moor and be boarded
Effective in sea states associated with force 6 winds
Trial deployments conducted on 50% of systems upon installation, all others within 12 months
MES containers marked with:
Maker’s name or trademark
Serial number
Name of approving Authority
Capacity
SOLAS
Month and year of manufacture
Date and place of last service
Maximum stowage height
Stowage position
Launching instructions (or posted nearby)
MES marked with:
Maker’s name or trademark
Serial number
Name of approving Authority
Capacity
Month and year of manufacture
Date and place of last service
Line-Throwing Appliances
Reasonably accurate
At least four projectiles and lines with breaking strain 2kN
Capable of carrying line 230m in calm conditions
Water resistant casing
General Emergency Alarm
Seven or more short followed by one long on the ship’s whistle or siren and internally on a bell, klaxon, PA system or equivalent
Powered by both the main and emergency supplies
Public Address System
Capable of broadcasting into all spaces where passengers or crew are normally present and to muster stations
Operated from the navigating bridge and any other required positions