(a) Each unit, other than a drillship, must meet the requirements in this subpart.

(b) Each drillship must meet the lifesaving system requirements in subchapter W of this chapter for a tank vessel certificated to carry cargoes that have a flash point less than 60 °C as determined under ASTM D 93 (incorporated by reference, see § 108.101).

(c) The OCMI may require a unit to carry specialized or additional lifesaving equipment other than as required by this part, if the OCMI determines the conditions of the unit's service present uniquely hazardous circumstances which are not adequately addressed by existing requirements.

For the purposes of this part, any unit carrying a valid IMO MODU Safety Certificate, including a listing of lifesaving equipment as required by the 1989 IMO MODU Code, is considered to have met the requirements of this subpart if, in addition to the requirements of the 1989 IMO MODU Code, it meets the following requirements:

(a) Each new lifeboat and launching appliance may be of aluminum construction only if its stowage location is protected with a water spray system in accordance with § 108.550(d) of this chapter.

(b) Each lifejacket, immersion suit, and emergency position indicating radiobeacon (EPIRB) must be marked with the unit's name in accordance with §§ 108.649 and 108.650.

(c) Inflatable lifejackets, if carried, must be of the same or similar design as required by § 108.580(b).

(d) Containers for lifejackets, immersions suits, and anti-exposure suits must be marked as specified in § 108.649(g).

(e) Each liferaft must be arranged to permit it to drop into the water from the deck on which it is stowed as required in § 108.530(c)(3).

(f) Survival craft must be arranged to allow safe disembarkation onto the unit after a drill in accordance with § 108.540(f).

(g) The requirements for guarding of falls in §§ 108.553 (d) and (f) must be met.

(h) The winch drum requirements described in § 108.553(e) must be met for all survival craft winches, not just multiple drum winches.

(i) The maximum lowering speed requirements from §§ 108.553 (h) and (i) must be met.

(j) An auxiliary line must be kept with each line-throwing appliance in accordance with § 108.597(c)(2).

(k) Immersion suits are required on all units, except those operating between the 32 degrees north and 32 degrees south latitude in accordance with § 108.580(c).

(l) All abandonment drills conducted on units carrying immersion suits must include immersion suits.

(a) For the purposes of this subpart—

(1) Similar stage of construction means the stage at which—

(i) Construction identifiable with a specific unit begins; and

(ii) Assembly of that unit comprising at least 50 metric tons (55.1 U.S. tons) or 1 percent of the estimated mass of all structural material, whichever is less, has been achieved.

(2) Unit constructed means a unit, the keel of which is laid or which is at a similar stage of construction.

(b) Subject to § 108.515, each unit constructed before October 1, 1996, must meet the requirements of this subpart, except for the number, type, and arrangement of lifeboats (including survival capsules), lifeboat davits, winches, inflatable liferafts, liferaft launching equipment, and rescue boats.

(c)(1) If a District Commander determines that the overall safety of the persons on board a unit will not be significantly reduced, the District Commander may grant an exemption from compliance with a provision of this part to a specific unit for a specified geographic area within the boundaries of the Coast Guard District. This exemption may be limited to certain periods of the year.

(2) Requests for exemption under this paragraph must be in writing to the OCMI for transmission to the District Commander in the area in which the unit is in service or will be in service.

(3) If the exemption is granted by the District Commander, the OCMI will endorse the unit's Certificate of Inspection with a statement describing the exemption.

(a) Units which were constructed prior to October 1, 1996, must—

(1) By October 1, 1997, have either—

(i) Lifeboats and liferafts that meet § 108.525; or

(ii) Totally enclosed fire-protected lifeboats of sufficient capacity to accommodate 100 percent of the persons permitted on board, plus additional totally enclosed lifeboats or davit-launched liferafts of sufficient capacity to accommodate 100 percent of the persons permitted on board the unit. The following exceptions apply:

(A) An open lifeboat may be used instead of davit-launched liferafts as long as it is in good working order. An open lifeboat requiring extensive repairs must be replaced with either a totally enclosed fire-protected lifeboat, or davit-launched liferafts.

(B) A submersible unit constructed before January 3, 1979, may continue to use the lifesaving arrangements described on the units Certificate of Inspection in effect on October 1, 1996.

(2) By October 1, 1997, fit retro-reflective material on all floating appliances, lifejackets, and immersion suits.

(3) Except for the requirements in paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this section, units may retain the arrangement of lifesaving appliances previously required and approved for the unit, as long as the arrangement or appliance is maintained in good condition to the satisfaction of the OCMI.

(b) When any lifesaving appliance or arrangement on a unit subject to this part is replaced, or when the unit undergoes repairs, alterations or modifications of a major character involving replacement of, or any addition to, the existing lifesaving appliances or arrangements, each new lifesaving appliance and arrangement must meet the requirements of this part, unless the OCMI determines that the unit cannot accommodate the new appliance or arrangement, except that—

(1) A survival craft is not required to meet the requirements of this part if it is replaced without replacing its davit and winch; and

(2) A davit and its winch are not required to meet the requirements of this part if one or both are replaced without replacing the survival craft.

(a) Each lifeboat must be a fire-protected lifeboat approved under approval series 160.035. A lifeboat of aluminum construction in the hull or canopy must be protected in its stowage position by a water spray system meeting the requirements of part 34, subpart 34.25 of this chapter.

(b) Each inflatable liferaft must be approved under approval series 160.151. Each rigid liferaft must be approved under approval series 160.118. Each liferaft must have a capacity of six persons or more.

(a) Each unit must carry the following:

(1) Lifeboats installed in at least two widely separated locations on different sides or ends of the unit. The arrangement of the lifeboats must provide sufficient capacity to accommodate the total number of persons permitted on board if—

(i) All the lifeboats in any one location are lost or rendered unusable; or

(ii) All the lifeboats on any one side or end of the unit are lost or rendered unusable.

(2) Liferafts arranged for float-free launching and having an aggregate capacity that will accommodate the total number of persons permitted on board.

(b) In the case of a self-elevating unit where, due to its size or configuration, lifeboats can not be located in the widely separated locations required under paragraph (a)(1) of this section, the OCMI may accept the following number and arrangement of survival craft:

(1) Lifeboats with an aggregate capacity to accommodate the total number of persons permitted on board.

(2) Liferafts served by launching appliances or marine evacuation systems of an aggregate capacity to accommodate the total number of persons permitted on board. These liferafts may be the float-free liferafts under paragraph (a)(2) of this section, or liferafts in addition to the float-free liferafts.

(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—

(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.

(a) Each muster station must have sufficient space to accommodate all persons assigned to muster at that station. One or more muster stations must be close to each embarkation station.

(b) Each muster station and embarkation station must be readily accessible from accommodation and work areas.

(c) Each lifeboat must be arranged to be boarded and launched directly from the stowed position.

(d) Each lifeboat must be arranged to be boarded by its full complement of persons within 3 minutes from the time the instruction to board is given.

(e) Each davit-launched and free-fall survival craft muster station and embarkation station for a survival craft which is boarded before it is launched must be arranged to enable stretcher cases to be placed in the survival craft.

(f) Means must be provided for bringing each davit-launched survival craft against the side of the unit and holding it alongside to allow persons to be—

(1) Safely embarked in the case of a survival craft intended to be boarded over the edge of the deck; and

(2) Safely disembarked after a drill in the case of a survival craft not intended to be moved to the stowed position with a full complement of persons on board.

(g) Each davit-launched liferaft launching arrangement must have a means to hold the liferaft in the embarkation position that—

(1) Will hold the liferaft securely in high winds;

(2) Can be rapidly engaged in the proper position for boarding; and

(3) Can be rapidly released for launching by one person from within the loaded liferaft.

(h) Each launching station or each two adjacent launching stations must have an embarkation ladder as follows:

(1) Each embarkation ladder must be approved under approval series 160.117 or be a rope ladder approved under approval series 160.017, and must be installed in a way that—

(i) Each embarkation ladder must extend in a single length, from the deck to the waterline in the lightest seagoing condition with the unit listed not less than up to 15 degrees either way; or

(ii) Each embarkation ladder may be replaced by a device approved to provide safe and rapid access to survival craft in the water, if the OCMI permits the device, provided that there is at least one embarkation ladder on each side of the unit.

(2) An embarkation ladder is not required if—

(i) The distance from the embarkation deck to the unit's lightest operating waterline is less than 3 meters (10 feet); and

(ii) The unit is not in international service.

(3) If the embarkation ladders cannot be supported against a vertical flat surface, the unit must instead be provided with at least two widely-separated fixed metal ladders or stairways extending from the deck to the surface of the water and meet the following:

(i) Each inclined fixed ladder must meet the requirements under § 108.159.

(ii) Each vertical fixed ladder must meet the requirements under § 108.160 for fixed ladders, except that the vertical bars in cages must be open at least 500 millimeters (20 inches) on one side throughout the length of the ladder, and cages are not required in the area subject to wave action or on ladders inside the legs of a self-elevating unit.

(iii) If a fixed ladder cannot be installed, the OCMI may accept an alternate means of embarkation with sufficient capacity for all persons permitted on board to safely descend to the waterline.

(4) Alternate means of embarkation under paragraphs (h)(1)(ii) and (h)(3) of this section, such as portable slides, safety booms, moveable ladders, elevators, and controlled descent devices, must be acceptable to the OCMI. An alternate means of embarkation must have sufficient capacity to permit persons to safely descend to the waterline at a rate comparable to the device which the alternate means of embarkation replaces.

(a) Arrangements. Each marine evacuation system must have the following arrangements:

(1) Each marine evacuation system must be capable of being deployed by one person.

(2) Each marine evacuation system must enable the total number of persons for which it is designed, to be transferred from the unit into the inflated liferafts within a period of 10 minutes from the time the signal to abandon the unit is given.

(3) Each marine evacuation system must be arranged so that liferafts may be securely attached to the platform and released from the platform by a person either in the liferaft or on the platform.

(4) Each marine evacuation system must be capable of being deployed from the unit under unfavorable conditions of list of up to 20 degrees.

(5) If the marine evacuation system has an inclined slide, the angle of the slide from horizontal must be within a range of 30 to 35 degrees when the unit is upright and in the lightest seagoing condition.

(6) Each marine evacuation system platform must be capable of being restrained by a bowsing line or other positioning system that is designed to deploy automatically, and if necessary, be capable of being adjusted to the position required for evacuation.

(b) Stowage. Each marine evacuation system must be stowed as follows:

(1) There must not be any openings between the marine evacuation system's embarkation station and the unit's side at the unit's waterline in the lightest seagoing condition.

(2) The marine evacuation system must be protected from any projections of the unit's structure or equipment.

(3) The marine evacuation system's passage and platform, when deployed, its stowage container, and its operational arrangement must not interfere with the operation of any other lifesaving appliance at any other launching station.

(4) Where appropriate, the marine evacuation system's stowage area must be protected from damage by heavy seas.

(c) Stowage of associated liferafts. Inflatable liferafts used in conjunction with the marine evacuation system must be stowed as follows:

(1) Each inflatable liferaft used in conjunction with the marine evacuation system must be close to the system container, but capable of dropping clear of the deployed chute and boarding platform.

(2) Each inflatable liferaft used in conjunction with the marine evacuation system must be capable of individual release from its stowage rack.

(3) Each inflatable liferaft used in conjunction with the marine evacuation system must be stowed in accordance with § 108.530.

(4) Each inflatable liferaft used in conjunction with the marine evacuation system must be provided with pre-connected or easily connected retrieving lines to the platform.

(a)(1) Each launching appliance must be a davit approved under 46 CFR part 160, subpart 160.132 for use with the intended craft, with a winch approved under 46 CFR part 160, subpart 160.115 for use with the intended craft.

(2) Each launching appliance for a davit-launched liferaft must include an automatic disengaging apparatus approved under 46 CFR part 160, subpart 160.170 and be either—

(i) A launching appliance described in paragraph (a)(1) of this section; or

(ii) A launching appliance approved on or before November 10, 2011 under approval series 160.163.

(b) All lifeboats required for abandonment by the total number of persons permitted on board must be capable of being launched with their full complement of persons and equipment within 10 minutes from the time the signal to abandon the unit is given.

(c) Each survival craft must be arranged to clear each leg, column, footing, brace, mat, and each similar structure below the hull of a self-elevating unit and clear the upper hull, the columns, and the pontoons of a column stabilized unit, with the unit in an intact condition.

(1) The survival craft must be arranged to be launched down the straight side of the unit or be mounted on a structure intended to provide clearance from lower structures of the unit.

(2) The OCMI may allow a reduction in the total number of survival craft meeting this requirement when the unit is in the transit mode and the number of personnel on board is reduced. In such cases, sufficient survival craft must be available for use by the total number of personnel remaining on board.

(d) Each lifeboat of aluminum construction in the hull or canopy, and each aluminum launching appliance must be protected in its stowage position by a water spray system meeting the requirements of part 34, subpart 34.25 of this chapter.

(e) With the exception of the secondary means of launching for free-fall lifeboats, each launching appliance together with all its lowering and recovery gear must be arranged in a way that the fully equipped survival craft it serves can be safely lowered when loaded with its full complement of persons, and also without persons, against—

(1) A list of up to 20 degrees on the high side; and

(2) A list of up to 20 degrees or the degree of list where the survival craft becomes waterborne, whichever, is the greater, on the low side.

(f) When the unit is under any unfavorable condition such as maximum airgap, lightest transit or operational condition, or any damaged condition under part 174, subpart C of this chapter,—

(1) Notwithstanding the requirements under § 108.550(e), survival craft launching appliances and marine evacuation systems must be capable of operation;

(2) Falls, where used, must be long enough for survival craft to reach the water; and

(3) Lifeboats with an aggregate capacity that will accommodate the total number of persons permitted on board must be capable of being launched safely, and clear of any obstruction. The location and orientation of each lifeboat must be such that the lifeboat is either headed away from the unit upon launching, or can be turned to a heading away from the unit immediately upon launching.

(g) A launching appliance must not depend on any means other than gravity or stored mechanical power independent of the unit's power supplies to launch the survival craft it serves, in the fully loaded and equipped conditions, and also in the light condition.

(h) Each launching appliance's structural attachment to the vessel must be designed, based on the ultimate strength of the construction material, to be at least 4.5 times the load imparted on the attachment by the launching appliance and its fully loaded survival craft under the most adverse combination of list and trim under paragraph (b) of this section.

(i) Each launching appliance must be arranged so that—

(1) All parts requiring regular maintenance by the crew are readily accessible and easily maintained;

(2) The launching appliance remains effective under conditions of icing;

(3) The same type of release mechanism is used for each similar survival craft carried on board the unit; and

(4) The preparation and handling of survival craft at any one launching station does not interfere with the prompt preparation and handling of any other survival craft at any other station.

(j) Each launching mechanism must be arranged so it may be actuated by one person from a position on the unit's deck, and also from a position within the survival craft. Each launching and recovery arrangement must allow the operator on the deck to observe the survival craft at all times during launching.

(k) Means must be provided outside the machinery space to prevent any discharge of water onto survival craft during abandonment.

Survival craft launching and recovery arrangements, in addition to meeting the requirements in § 108.550, must meet the following requirements:

(a) Each fall wire must be of rotation-resistant and corrosion-resistant steel wire rope.

(b) The breaking strength of each fall wire and each attachment used on the fall must be at least six times the load imparted on the fall by the fully-loaded survival craft.

(c) Each fall must be long enough for the survival craft to reach the water with the unit in its lightest seagoing condition, under unfavorable conditions of trim and with the unit listed not less than 20 degrees either way.

(d) Each unguarded fall must not pass near any operating position of the winch, such as hand cranks, payout wheels, and brake levers.

(e) Each winch drum must be arranged so the fall wire winds onto the drum in a level wrap, and a multiple drum winch must be arranged so that the falls wind off at the same rate when lowering, and onto the drums at the same rate when hoisting.

(f) Each fall, where exposed to damage or fouling, must have guards or equivalent protection. Each fall that leads along a deck must be covered with a guard that is not more than 300 millimeters (1 foot) above the deck.

(g) The lowering speed for a fully loaded survival craft must be not less than that obtained from the following formula:

(1) S = 0.4 + (0.02 H), where S is the speed of lowering in meters per second, and H is the height in meters from the davit head to the waterline at the lightest seagoing condition, with H not greater than 30, regardless of the lowering height.

(2) S = 79 + (1.2 H), where S is the speed of lowering in feet per minute, and H is the height in feet, with H not greater than 99.

(h) The lowering speed for a survival craft loaded with all of its equipment must be not less than 70 percent of the speed required under paragraph (g) of this section.

(i) The lowering speed for a fully loaded survival craft must be not more than 1.3 meters per second (256 feet per minute).

(j) If a survival craft is recovered by electric power, the electrical installation, including the electric power-operated boat winch, must meet the requirements in subchapter J of this chapter. If a survival craft is recovered by any means of power, including a portable power source, safety devices must be provided which automatically cut off the power before the davit arms or falls reach the stops in order to avoid overstressing the falls or davits, unless the motor is designed to prevent such overstressing.

(k) Each launching appliance must be fitted with brakes that meet the following requirements:

(1) The brakes must be capable of stopping the descent of the survival craft or rescue boat and holding it securely when loaded with it full complement of persons and equipment.

(2) The brake pads must, where necessary, be protected from water and oil.

(3) Manual brakes must be arranged so that the brake is always applied unless the operator, or a mechanism activated by the operator, holds the brake control in the off position.

Lifeboat launching and recovery arrangements, in addition to meeting the requirements in §§ 108.550 and 108.553, must meet the following requirements:

(a) Each lifeboat must be capable of being launched with the unit making headway of 5 knots in calm water, or with the unit anchored or bearing on the bottom in a current of up to 5 knots. A painter may be used to meet this requirement.

(b) Each lifeboat must be provided with a launching appliance. The launching appliance must be capable of launching and recovering the lifeboat with its crew.

(c) Each launching appliance arrangement must allow the operator on the unit to observe the lifeboat at all times during recovery.

(d) Each launching appliance arrangement must be designed to ensure persons can safely disembark from the survival craft prior its stowage.

(a) The launching appliance for a free-fall lifeboat must be designed and installed so that the launching appliance and the lifeboat it serves operate as a system to protect the occupants from harmful acceleration forces and to effectively clear the unit.

(b) The launching appliance must be designed and arranged so that in its ready to launch position, the distance from the lowest point on the lifeboat it serves to the water surface with the unit in its lightest seagoing condition does not exceed the lifeboat's certificated free-fall height.

(c) The launching appliance must be arranged so as to preclude accidental release of the lifeboat in its unattended stowed position. If the means provided to secure the lifeboat cannot be released from inside the lifeboat, the means to secure the lifeboat must be arranged as to preclude boarding the lifeboat without first releasing it.

(d) Each free-fall launching arrangement must be provided with a secondary means to launch the lifeboat by falls. Such means must comply with the requirements of §§ 108.550, 108.553, and 108.555. Notwithstanding § 108.550(e), the launching appliance must be capable of launching the lifeboat against unfavorable conditions of list of 5 degrees in any direction and it need not comply with the speed requirements of §§ 108.553 (g), (h), and (i).

If the secondary launching appliance is not dependent on gravity, stored mechanical power or other manual means, the launching arrangement must be connected both to the unit's main and emergency power supplies.

Each unit must carry at least one rescue boat. Each rescue boat must be approved under approval series 160.156. A lifeboat is accepted as a rescue boat if it also meets the requirements for a rescue boat.

(a) Rescue boats must be stowed as follows:

(1) Each rescue boat must be ready for launching in not more than 5 minutes.

(2) Each rescue boat must be in a position suitable for launching and recovery.

(3) Each rescue boat must be stowed in a way that neither the rescue boat nor its stowage arrangements will interfere with the operation of any survival craft at any other launching station.

(4) Each rescue boat that is also a lifeboat, must be in compliance with § 108.530.

(b) Each rescue boat must be provided a means for recharging the rescue boat batteries from the unit's power supply at a supply voltage not exceeding 50 volts.

(c) Each inflated rescue boat must be kept fully inflated at all times.

(a) Each rescue boat must be capable of being launched with the unit making headway of 5 knots in calm water, or with the unit anchored or bearing on the bottom in a current of up to 5 knots. A painter may be used to meet this requirement.

(b) Each rescue boat embarkation and launching arrangement must permit the rescue boat to be boarded and launched in the shortest possible time.

(c) If the rescue boat is one of the unit's survival craft, the rescue boat must also be as follows:

(1) The rescue boat must meet the embarkation arrangement and launching station requirements of § 108.540.

(2) The rescue boat must meet the launching arrangement requirements of §§ 108.550 and 108.557, and if the launching arrangement uses falls and a winch, § 108.553.

(3) If the launching arrangement uses a single fall, the rescue boat may have an automatic disengaging apparatus approved under approval series 160.170, instead of a lifeboat release mechanism.

(d) Rapid recovery of the rescue boat must be possible when loaded with its full complement of persons and equipment. If the rescue boat is also a lifeboat, rapid recovery must be possible when loaded with its lifeboat equipment and an approved rescue boat complement of at least six persons.

(e) Each rescue boat launching appliance must be fitted with a powered winch motor.

(f) Each rescue boat launching appliance must be capable of hoisting the rescue boat when loaded with its full rescue boat complement of persons and equipment at a rate of not less than 0.3 meters per second (59 feet per minute).

(a) All lifeboat and rescue boat equipment must be as follows:

(1) The equipment must be secured within the boat by lashings, storage in lockers, or compartments, storage in brackets or similar mounting arrangements or other suitable means.

(2) The equipment must be secured in such a manner as not to interfere with any abandonment procedures or reduce seating capacity.

(3) The equipment must be as small and of as little mass as possible.

(4) The equipment must be packed in a suitable and compact form.

(5) The equipment should be stowed so the items do not—

(i) Reduce the seating capacity;

(ii) Adversely affect the seaworthiness of the survival craft or rescue boat; or

(iii) Overload the launching appliance.

(b) Each lifeboat, rigid liferaft, and rescue boat, unless otherwise stated in this paragraph, must carry the equipment specified for it in table § 108.575(b) of this section. A lifeboat that is also a rescue boat must carry the equipment in the table column marked for a lifeboat. Each item in the table has the same description as in § 199.175 of this chapter.

(a) Lifebuoys. Each unit must carry at least eight lifebuoys approved under approval series 160.150 as follows:

(1) Stowage. Lifebuoys must be stowed as follows:

(i) Each lifebuoy must be capable of being rapidly cast loose.

(ii) Each lifebuoy must not be permanently secured to the unit in anyway.

(iii) Lifebuoys must be so distributed as to be readily available on each side of the unit and, as far as practicable, on each open deck extending to the side of the unit. The lifebuoys with attached self-igniting lights must be evenly distributed on all sides of the unit.

(iv) At least two lifebuoys, each with attached self-activating smoke signals, must be stowed where they can be quickly released from the navigating bridge or main control station, or a location readily available to personnel on board. These lifebuoys should, when released, fall directly into the water without striking any part of the unit.

(2) Attachments and fittings. Lifebuoys must have the following attachments and fittings:

(i) At least one lifebuoy on each side of the unit fitted with a buoyant lifeline that is—

(A) At least as long as twice the height where it is stowed above the waterline in the lightest seagoing condition, or 30 meters (100 feet), whichever is the greater;

(B) Non-kinking;

(C) Not less than 8 millimeters ( 5/16 inch) in diameter;

(D) Of a breaking strength which is not less than 5 kiloNewtons (1,124 pounds-force); and

(E) Is, if synthetic, a dark color or certified by the manufacturer to be resistant to deterioration from ultraviolet light.

(ii) At least one-half the total number of lifebuoys on the unit must each be fitted with a self-igniting light approved under approval series 161.010. A self-igniting light must not be attached to the lifebuoys required by this section to be fitted with lifelines.

(iii) At least two lifebuoys on the unit each must be fitted with a self-activating smoke signal approved under approval series 160.157. Lifebuoys fitted with smoke signals must also be fitted with lights.

(b) Lifejackets. Each unit must carry lifejackets approved under approval series 160.155, 160.176, or 160.177. If the unit carries inflatable lifejackets, they must be of the same or similar design and have the same method of operation.

(1) General. Each unit must carry a lifejacket for each person on board and in addition, a sufficient number of lifejackets must be carried for persons at each work station and industrial work site.

(2) Stowage. Lifejackets must be stowed as follows:

(i) The lifejackets must be readily accessible.

(ii) The additional lifejackets required by paragraph (b)(1) of this section must be stowed in places readily accessible to the work stations and industrial work sites.

(iii) Where, due to the particular arrangements of the unit, the lifejackets under paragraph (b)(1) of this section could become inaccessible, the OCMI may require an increase in the number of lifejackets to be carried, or suitable alternative arrangements.

(3) Attachments and fittings. Lifejackets must have the following attachments and fittings:

(i) Each lifejacket must have a lifejacket light approved under approval series 161.112 securely attached to the front shoulder area of the lifejacket. On a unit not in international service, a light approved under approval series 161.012 may be used. However, lifejacket lights bearing Coast Guard approval number 161.012/2/1 are not permitted unless the unit is certificated to operate only on waters between 32° N and 32° S latitude.

(ii) Each lifejacket must have a whistle firmly secured by a cord to the lifejacket.

(c) Immersion suits or anti-exposure suits. Each unit must carry immersion suits approved under approval series 160.171 or anti-exposure suits approved under approval series 160.153.

(1) General. Each unit, except units operating between 32 degrees north latitude and 32 degrees south latitude, must carry—

(i) Immersion suits or anti-exposure suits of suitable size for each person assigned to the rescue boat crew;

(ii) Immersion suits approved under approval series 160.171 of the appropriate size for each person on board, which count toward meeting the requirements of paragraph (c)(1)(i) of this section; and

(iii) In addition to the immersion suits required under paragraph (c)(1)(ii) of this section, each watch station, work station, and industrial work site must have enough immersion suits to equal the number of persons normally on watch in, or assigned to, the station or site at one time. However, an immersion suit is not required at a station or site for a person whose cabin or berthing area (and the immersion suits stowed in that location) is readily accessible to the station or site.

(2) Attachments and fittings. Immersion suits or anti-exposure suits must have the following attachments and fittings:

(i) Each immersion suit or anti-exposure suit must have a lifejacket light approved under approval series 161.112 securely attached to the front shoulder area of the immersion suit or anti-exposure suit. On a unit not in international service, a light approved under approval series 161.012 may be used. However, lifejacket lights bearing Coast Guard approval number 161.012/2/1 are not permitted on units certificated to operate on waters where water temperature may drop below 10 °C (50 °F).

(ii) Each immersion suit or anti-exposure suit must have a whistle firmly secured by a cord to the immersion suit or anti-exposure suit.

(a) Radio lifesaving appliances. Radio lifesaving appliance installations and arrangements must meet the requirements of 47 CFR part 80.

(b) Distress flares. Each unit must—

(1) Carry not less than 12 rocket parachute flares approved under approval series 160.136; and

(2) Stow the flares in a portable watertight container carried on the navigating bridge, or if the unit does not have a bridge, in the control room.

(a) General. Each unit in international service must have a line-throwing appliance that is approved under approval series 160.040. Each unit not in international service must carry a line-throwing appliance approved under either approval series 160.040 or 160.031.

(b) Stowage. The line-throwing appliance and its equipment must be readily accessible for use.

(c) Additional equipment. Each unit must carry the following equipment for the line-throwing appliance:

(1) The equipment on the list provided by the manufacturer with the approved appliance; and

(2) An auxiliary line that—

(i) Has a breaking strength of at least 40 kiloNewtons (9,000 pounds-force);

(ii) Is, if synthetic, a dark color or certified by the manufacturer to be resistant to deterioration from ultraviolet light; and

(iii) Is—

(A) At least 450 meters (1,500 feet) long, if the line-throwing appliance is approved under approval series 160.040; or

(B) At least 150 meters (500 feet) long, if the line-throwing appliance is approved under approval series 160.031.