1 What are the types of lifeboats?

2 What do wooden or metal lifeboats require?

3 What is the best course from the damaged ship?

LIFERAFTS.

Cargo- and passenger vessels as well as fishing crafts are equipped with approved liferafts. The number, type and carrying capacity derive from regulations and additional requirements.

Approved are liferafts throw overboard type, liferafts davit launched type & large liferafts without any protective canopy and usable either way up.

Liferafts are automatically inflatable. For launching they may be thrown overboard or designed and positioned near launching appliances for launching fully manned.

All liferafts are so installed that they can be launched quickly, secure­ly and safely - if possible by one man - even with 20° list, over the high side. For that reason liferafts are nowadays almost always stowed on swing­ing-out storage frames, inclined ramps or equivalent appliances.

Every inflatable liferaft is made from coated synthetic fabric and as a rule is packed tightly folded in a plastic container. The weight of a liferaft including its packaging and full distress equipment lies between 100 kg and 185 kg depending on the size of the raft.

Every inflatable liferaft afloat withstands all weather conditions at sea for 30 days, it is operable over an air temperature range -30°C to +66°C, it can be thrown into the water in its container, it has adequate stability in a seaway when inflated, the floor is waterproof and can be inflated for insulation against cold. The inflatable liferaft has a canopy of a clearly visible color, which protects the occupants from the effects of the weather. It has a light 6n the top, inside & outside, an arrangement for collecting rainwater and a fitting for the radar transponder or the aeri­al of the portable radio apparatus.

For inflation and to connect the inflated raft to the ship there is a release painter line, which is cut, using a knife. Lifelines are provided all around, inside & outside. Fitted to every opening is a boarding arrange­ment for persons in the water.

1 What safety equipment are cargo and passenger vessels equipped with?

2 How are all liferafts installed?

3 What is the weight of liferaft?

ORGANIZATION OF SAR-OPERATIONS AT SEA.

Every master of a ship at sea who receives a report from any source that a ship or aircraft or its lifeboats or rafts are in distress is obliged to hasten to the assistance of the persons in distress at maximum speed, and to inform them of this if at all possible.

Every government of a nation participating in the SOLAS conven­tion is obliged to make all necessary provisions for a coastguard service and for the rescue of any persons in distress at sea along its coasts.

The Maritime Rescue Coordinating Centre - MRCC has overall re­sponsibility in a distress-at-sea situation] for the behavior of the opera­tion to its conclusion. In the event of distress at sea it provides for the initiation, coordination and conclusion of SAR and their documentation. The execution of SAR measures in cases of distress at sea is based on a SAR task plan. This plan in addition to explanations regarding raising the alarm and execution also contains data about the SAR seagoing ves­sels and aircraft passing of information on SAR service and other infor­mation needed by everyone involved in SAR services4.