No. 155/1938:

MERCHANT SHIPPING (LIFE-SAVING APPLIANCES) RULES, 1938.

MERCHANT SHIPPING (LIFE-SAVING APPLIANCES) RULES, 1938.

CONTENTS.

PART 1.

BOATS, LIFE-RAFTS, BUOYANT APPARATUS, LIFEBUOYS, LIFE-JACKETS, DAVITS AND DAVIT GEAR, LINE THROWING APPLIANCES, CERTIFICATED LIFEBOAT-MEN.

1938. No. 155.

MERCHANT SHIPPING.

THE MERCHANT SHIPPING (LIFE-SAVING APPLIANCES) RULES, 1938, MADE BY THE MINISTER FOR INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE UNDER THE MERCHANT SHIPPING ACT, 1894, AND THE MERCHANT SHIPPING (SAFETY AND LOADLINE CONVENTIONS) ACT, 1933.

In pursuance of the powers conferred upon him by section 427 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894, sections 4 and 5 of the Merchant Shipping (Safety and Loadline Conventions) Act, 1933, and of all other powers him in this behalf enabling, the Minister for Industry and Commerce hereby makes the following Rules:—

1. (1) These Rules may be cited as the Merchant Shipping (Life-Saving Appliances) Rules, 1938.

(2) In these Rules, unless the context otherwise requires, the following expressions have the meanings hereby respectively assigned to them:—

"Person" means a person over the age of one year.

"Daylight" shall be reckoned as extending from one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset.

"Length" as applied to a ship means registered length.

"Minister" means the Minister for Industry and Commerce.

"Approved" means approved by the Minister.

"Surveyor" means a Surveyor appointed by the Minister for Industry and Commerce under section 724 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894.

(3) The Interpretation Act, 1937 (No. 38 of 1937), applies to the interpretation of these Rules.

(4) The Merchant Shipping (Life Saving Appliances) Rules, 1914 (S.R. & O. 1914, No. 1006), are hereby revoked.

PART I:—BOATS, LIFE-RAFTS, BUOYANT APPARATUS, LIFEBUOYS, LIFE-JACKETS, DAVITS AND DAVIT GEAR, LINE-THROWING APPLIANCES, CERTIFICATED LIFEBOATMEN, &c.

CLASSIFICATION OF SHIPS.

2. For the purposes of this Part of these Rules ships shall be arranged in the following classes, under the headings "Passenger Ships" and "Non-passenger Ships".

Passenger Ships.

Class I.

Steamships carrying more than 12 passengers on international voyages other than ships of Class II.

Class II.

Steamships carrying more than 12 passengers on short international voyages.

Class III.

Home Trade steamships carrying more than 12 passengers on passages or voyages other than international voyages.

Class IV.

Steamships carrying passengers in pursuance of a passenger certificate entitled "Passenger Certificate for a Home Trade passenger vessel plying on short excursions to sea, i.e., beyond partially smooth water limits, between 1st April and 31st October, inclusive, during daylight, and in fine weather".

Class V.

Steamships carrying passengers in pursuance of a passenger certificate entitled "Passenger Certificate for a vessel plying in partially smooth water".

Class VI.

Steamships carrying passengers in estuaries and lakes in pursuance of a passenger certificate entitled "Passenger Certificate for a vessel plying in smooth water".

Class VII.

Steamships carrying passengers on rivers and canals in pursuance of a passenger certificate entitled "Passenger Certificate for a vessel plying in smooth water".

Class VIII.

Steam launches and motor boats carrying passengers in pursuance of a passenger certificate entitled "Passenger Certificate for a vessel plying for short distances to sea".

Class IX.

Foreign-going sailing ships carrying more than twelve passengers.

Class X.

Home Trade sailing ships carrying passengers.

Non-Passenger Ships.

Class XI.

Foreign-going steamships not certified to carry passengers.

Class XII.

Home Trade steamships not certified to carry passengers.

Class XIII.

Steam fish carriers, tugs, lighters, dredgers, barges, hoppers and hulks, which proceed to sea.

Class XIV.

Steam fish carriers, tugs, lighters, dredgers, barges, hoppers and hulks, which do not proceed to sea.

Class XV.

Foreign-going sailing ships not carrying more than twelve passengers.

Class XVI.

Home Trade sailing ships not carrying passengers.

PROVISION OF LIFE-SAVING APPLIANCES.

Availability and adequacy of Lifeboats and Buoyant Apparatus.

3. (1) The lifeboats and buoyant apparatus in a ship shall be readily available in case of emergency and shall be adequate.

(2) To be readily available, the lifeboats and buoyant apparatus shall comply with the following conditions:—

(a) They must be capable of being put into the water safely and rapidly even under unfavourable conditions of list and trim.

(b) It must be possible to embark the passengers in the boats rapidly and in good order.

(c) The arrangement of each boat and article of buoyant apparatus must be such that it will not interfere with the operation of other boats and buoyant apparatus.

(3) To be adequate, the provision of lifeboats and buoyant apparatus shall be in accordance with the requirements of such of the following rules 4 to 19 as is applicable.

SHIPS OF CLASS I.

Steamships carrying more than 12 passengers on international voyages other than ships of Class II.

4. (1) This rule applies to ships of Class I.

(2) Every ship to which this rule applies shall, subject to the provisions of rule 44, be provided, in accordance with its length, with the number of sets of davits specified in column A of the table set out in the first schedule to these rules.

Provided that no ship shall be required to have a number of sets of davits greater than the number of lifeboats required to accommodate the total number of persons which the ship carries or is certified to carry, whichever number is the greater.

(3) (a) A lifeboat of Class 1 shall be attached to each set of davits.

(b) Any additional lifeboats necessary to make up the total lifeboat accommodation required by paragraph (4) of this rule shall be lifeboats of Class 1 or Class 2.

(4) (a) Where the lifeboats carried in pursuance of paragraph (3) (a) of this rule do not furnish sufficient accommodation for the total number of persons which the ship carries or is certified to carry, whichever number is the greater, provision shall be made to the satisfaction of the Minister to carry such additional lifeboats as are required to make up the deficiency in such accommodation.

(b) Subject to the provisions of rule 36 such additional lifeboats shall be distributed as follows:—

(i) One additional lifeboat shall be stowed under each set of davits;

(ii) The remaining boats shall be carried inboard.

(c) Notwithstanding the requirements of sub-paragraph (a) of this paragraph, the Minister may, if he is of opinion that life-rafts will be more readily available and otherwise more satisfactory in a case of emergency than the additional lifeboats mentioned in sub-paragraph (b) (ii) of this paragraph, allow life-rafts to be carried in lieu of any such lifeboats with sufficient accommodation for those persons for whom accommodation is not provided in lifeboats, provided that in any case the total capacity of the lifeboats on the ship shall be at least equal to the minimum cubic capacity specified in column C of the table set out in the first schedule to these rules.

(5) Where there is in force, in respect of any ship to which this rule applies, a memorandum under Section 12 of the Merchant Shipping (Safety and Load Line Conventions) Act, 1933 (which relates to the modification of safety certificates as respects lifesaving appliances), the number of persons stated in the memorandum shall, for the purposes of this rule, be treated as the number of persons which the ship is certified to carry.

(6) Where the number of lifeboats carried in pursuance of this rule is more than 13, one of such lifeboats shall be a motor boat fitted with an approved wireless telegraphy installation and searchlight, and where the number is more than 19 two of such lifeboats shall be motor boats so fitted.

(7) Any of the other lifeboats, except such as the Minister may require to be carried as emergency boats, may be motor boats, but these additional motor boats need not be fitted with wireless telegraphy installations or searchlights.

(8) Every ship to which this rule applies shall, in addition to the lifeboats and life-rafts carried in pursuance of this rule, carry approved buoyant apparatus sufficient to support 25 per cent. of the total number of persons which the ship carries or is certified to carry, whichever number is the greater.

(9) Every ship to which this rule applies shall carry at least the number of lifebuoys determined in accordance with the following table:—

(10) Every ship to which this rule applies shall carry one approved life-jacket for each person on board.

(11) Every ship to which this rule applies shall carry an approved type of line-throwing appliance.

SHIPS OF CLASS II.

Steamships carrying more than 12 passengers on short international voyages.

5. (1) This rule applies to ships of Class II.

(2) Every ship to which this rule applies shall, subject to the provisions of rule 44, be provided, in accordance with its length, with the number of sets of davits specified in column A of the table set out in the first schedule of these rules.

Provided that no ship shall be required to have a number of sets of davits greater than the number of lifeboats required to accommodate the total number of persons which the ship carries or is certified to carry, whichever number is the greater.

(3) (a) A lifeboat of Class 1 shall be attached to each set of davits.

(b) Where the lifeboats carried in pursuance of sub-paragraph (a) of this rule do not provide the minimum cubic capacity specified in column D of the table set out in the first schedule to these rules or provide sufficient accommodation for the total number of persons which the ship carries, additional lifeboats of Class 1 or Class 2 shall be provided up to the minimum capacity specified in column D, after which additional lifeboats or approved life-rafts or approved buoyant apparatus shall be provided to the satisfaction of the Minister so that the accommodation provided shall be sufficient for the total number of persons which the ship carries.

(4) Where there is in force, in respect of any ship to which this rule applies, a memorandum under Section 12 of the Merchant Shipping (Safety and Load Line Conventions) Act, 1933 (which relates to the modification of safety certificates as respects lifesaving appliances), the number of persons stated in the memorandum shall, for the purposes of this rule, be treated as the number of persons which the ship is certified to carry.

(5) Subject to the provisions of rule 44 where the number of lifeboats carried in pursuance of this rule is more than 13, one of such lifeboats shall be a motor boat fitted with an approved wireless telegraphy installation and searchlight, and where the number is more than 19 two of such lifeboats shall be motor boats so fitted.

(6) Any of the other lifeboats, except such as the Minister may require to be carried as emergency boats, may be motor boats, but these additional motor boats need not be fitted with wireless telegraphy installations or searchlights.

(7) Every ship to which this rule applies shall carry approved buoyant apparatus sufficient to support 10 per cent. of the total number of persons which the ship carries or is certified to carry, whichever number is the greater, in addition to any buoyant apparatus carried in pursuance of paragraph (3) (b) of this rule.

(8) Every ship to which this rule applies shall carry at least the number of lifebuoys determined in accordance with the following table:—

(9) Every ship to which this rule applies shall carry one approved life-jacket for each person on board.

(10) Every ship to which this rule applies shall carry an approved type of line-throwing appliance.

SHIPS OF CLASS III.

Home Trade steamships carrying more than 12 passengers on passages or voyages other than international voyages.

6. (1) This rule applies to ships of Class III.

(2) Every ship to which this rule applies shall comply with the provisions of rule 5 save that,

(a) any such ship when engaged on any approved voyage near the coasts of Ireland, or on any approved daylight excursion between the 1st May and the 15th September inclusive, shall not be required to carry more sets of davits, or lifeboats of a greater aggregate cubic capacity, than are respectively specified in the second columns of tables A and B set out in the second schedule to these rules, and

(b) an approved type of line-throwing appliance shall not be required on any ship of less than 500 tons gross tonnage.

SHIPS OF CLASS IV.

Steamships carrying passengers in pursuance of a passenger certificate entitled "Passenger Certificate for a Home Trade passenger vessel plying on short excursions to sea, i.e., beyond partially smooth water limits, between 1st April and 31st October inclusive, during daylight and in fine weather."

7. (1) This rule applies to ships of Class IV.

(2) Every ship to which this rule applies shall, subject to the provisions of rule 44, be provided, in accordance with its length, with the number of sets of davits specified in the table set out in the third schedule to these rules.

Provided that no ship shall be required to have a number of sets of davits greater than the number of boats required to accommodate the total number of persons which the ship carries or is certified to carry, whichever number is the greater.

(3) A lifeboat of Class 1 shall be attached to each set of davits.

(4) Such additional lifeboats of Class 1 or Class 2, or such number of approved buoyant apparatus, shall be provided, as shall be sufficient together with the lifeboats required by paragraph (3) of this rule to accommodate 70 per cent. of the total number of persons which the ship is certified to carry.

(5) The lifeboats carried shall be of such capacity, having regard to the size of the ship, as the Minister may require.

(6) If a ship to which this rule applies is under 200 feet in length, at least four approved lifebuoys shall be carried, and if 200 feet or over in length, at least eight approved lifebuoys shall be carried.

(7) Every ship to which this rule applies shall carry one approved life-jacket for each person on board.

(8) Every ship to which this rule applies of 500 tons gross tonnage and upwards shall carry an approved type of line-throwing appliance.

SHIPS OF CLASS V.

Steamships carrying passengers in pursuance of a passenger certificate entitled "Passenger Certificate for a vessel plying in partially smooth water."

8. (1) This rule applies to ships of Class V.

(2) Every ship to which this rule applies shall, subject to the provisions of rule 44, be provided, in accordance with its length, with the number of sets of davits specified in the table set out in the third schedule to these rules.

Provided that no ship shall be required to have a number of sets of davits greater than the number of boats required to accommodate the total number of persons which the ship carries or is certified to carry, whichever number is the greater.

(3) A lifeboat of Class 1 shall be attached to each set of davits.

(4) Such additional lifeboats of Class 1 or Class 2, or such number of approved buoyant apparatus, shall be provided as shall be sufficient, together with the lifeboats required under paragraph (3) of this rule, to accommodate 60 per cent. of the total number of persons which the ship is certified to carry.

(5) The lifeboats carried shall be of such capacity, having regard to the size of the ship, as the Minister may require.

(6) If a ship to which this rule applies is under 200 feet in length, at least four approved lifebuoys shall be carried, and if 200 feet or over in length, at least eight approved lifebuoys shall be carried.

(7) Every ship to which this rule applies shall carry one approved life-jacket for each person on board.

(8) Every ship to which this rule applies of 500 tons gross tonnage and upwards shah carry an approved type of line-throwing appliance.

(9) The Minister may in his discretion relieve a ship to which this rule applies wholly or partially from the provisions of this rule.

SHIPS OF CLASS VI.

Steamships carrying passengers in estuaries and lakes in pursuance of a passenger certificate entitled "Passenger Certificate for a vessel plying in smooth water."

9. (1) This rule applies to ships of Class VI.

(2) Every ship to which this rule applies shall carry such lifeboats of Class 1, boats of Class 3, or approved buoyant apparatus, as shall be sufficient, together with the lifeboats or boats required to be carried in pursuance of paragraph (3) of this rule where that paragraph applies, to accommodate 40 per cent. of the total number of persons which the ship is certified to carry.

(3) Every ship to which this rule applies of 70 feet and upwards in length and under 150 feet in length shall carry at least one lifeboat of Class 1 or a boat of Class 3, and if 150 feet or over in length, at least two such lifeboats or boats. The lifeboats or boats shall be attached to davits.

(4) If a ship to which this rule applies is under 150 feet in length, at least four approved lifebuoys shall be carried, and if 150 feet or upwards in length, at least six approved lifebuoys shall be carried.

(5) Every ship to which this rule applies small carry one approved life-jacket for each person on board.

(6) The Minister may in his discretion relieve a ship to which this rule applies wholly or partially from the provisions of this rule.

SHIPS OF CLASS VII.

Steamships carrying passengers on rivers and canals in pursuance of a passenger certificate entitled "Passenger Certificate for a vessel plying in smooth water".

10. (1) This rule applies to ships of Class VII.

(2) Every ship to which this rule applies shall carry such lifeboats of Class 1, boats of Class 3, or approved buoyant apparatus, as shall be sufficient, together with the lifeboat or boat required to be carried in pursuance of paragraph (3) of this rule where that paragraph applies, to accommodate 40 per cent. of the total number of persons which the ship is certified to carry.

(3) Every ship to which this rule applies of 70 feet and upwards in length shall carry a lifeboat of Class 1 or a boat of Class 3 in such a position that it can readily be put into the water.

(4) Every ship to which this rule applies shall carry at least four approved lifebuoys.

(5) Every ship to which this rule applies shall carry one approved life-jacket for each person on board.

(6) The Minister may in his discretion relieve a ship to which this rule applies wholly or partially from the provisions of this rule.

SHIPS OF CLASS VIII.

Steam launches and motor boats carrying passengers in pursuance of a passenger certificate entitled "Passenger Certificate for a vessel plying for short distances to sea".

11. (1) This rule applies to ships of Class VIII.

(2) Ships of this class of 70 feet and upwards in length shall comply with the provisions of rule 9.

(3) Every ship to which this rule applies of less than 70 feet in length plying not more than three miles from its starting point in any direction shall be provided with approved buoyant apparatus sufficient to support at least 40 per cent. of the total number of persons which the ship is certified to carry, together with approved lifebuoys not less in number than is specified in paragraph (5) of this rule, so however that the buoyant apparatus, together with the lifebuoys, shall in all cases be sufficient to support at least 70 per cent. of the total number of persons which the ship is certified to carry.

(4) A ship to which this rule applies of less than 70 feet in length plying more than three miles from its starting point shall be provided with approved buoyant apparatus sufficient to support at least 60 per cent. of the total number of persons which the ship is certified to carry, together with approved lifebuoys not less in number than is specified in paragraph (5) of this rule, so however that the buoyant apparatus, together with the lifebuoys, shall in all cases be sufficient to support the total number of persons which the ship is certified to carry.

(5) The minimum number of approved lifebuoys to be provided shall be determined by the following table:—

(6) For the purposes of this rule an approved lifebuoy shall be deemed sufficient to support two persons.

(7) In the case of ships not exceeding 26 feet in length to which this rule applies the Minister may allow approved lifebuoys to be carried in lieu of part or all of the buoyant apparatus required to be carried in pursuance of paragraphs (3) and (4) of this rule.

SHIPS OF CLASS IX.

Foreign-going sailing ships carrying more than twelve passengers.

12. (1) This rule applies to ships of Class IX.

(2) Every ship to which this rule applies shall carry one or more lifeboats of Class 1 of sufficient aggregate capacity to accommodate all persons on board.

(3) All such lifeboats shall be attached to davits so far as in the opinion of the Minister is practicable.

(4) Every ship to which this rule applies shall carry at least six approved lifebuoys, together with one approved life-jacket for each person on board.

(5) Every ship to which this rule applies of 500 tons gross tonnage and upwards shall carry an approved type of line-throwing appliance.

SHIPS OF CLASS X.

Home Trade sailing ships carrying passengers.

13. (1) This rule applies to ships of Class X.

(2) Every ship to which this rule applies shall carry one or more lifeboats of Class 1 of sufficient aggregate capacity to accommodate all persons on board.

(3) Such lifeboats shall be attached to davits so far as in the opinion of the Minister is practicable.

(4) Every ship to which this rule applies shall carry at least four approved lifebuoys, together with one approved life-jacket for each person on board.

(5) Every ship to which this rule applies of 500 tons gross tonnage and upwards shall carry an approved type of line-throwing appliance.

SHIPS OF CLASS XI.

Foreign-going steamships not certified to carry passengers.

14. (1) This rule applies to ships of Class XI.

(2) Every ship to which this rule applies shall carry on each side of the ship lifeboats of Class I in such number and of such aggregate capacity as will accommodate all persons on board; provided that so long as not less than half the total capacity on each side of the ship is provided in lifeboats of Class 1, the Minister may allow (a) if the total number of such lifeboats required under this rule is three, a boat of Class 3 to be carried in lieu of one of them; (b) if the number of lifeboats of Class 1 exceeds three, one or two boats of Class 3 to be carried in lieu of the same number of such lifeboats; and (c) any number of boats of Class 3 in lieu of the same number of lifeboats of Class 1 in ships engaged in special trades where the circumstances are such as to justify this replacement.

(3) The lifeboats and boats shall be attached to davits.

(4) Every ship to which this rule applies shall carry at least six approved lifebuoys, together with one approved life-jacket for each person on board.

(5) Every ship to which this rule applies of 500 tons gross tonnage and upwards shall carry an approved type of line-throwing appliance.

SHIPS OF CLASS XII.

Home Trade steamships not certified to carry passengers.

15. (1) This rule applies to ships of Class XII.

(2) Every ship to which this rule applies of 100 feet or over in length shall carry on each side of the ship one or more boats of sufficient aggregate capacity to accommodate all persons on board. Such boats shall be attached to davits.

(3) One of the total number of boats on board may be a boat of Class 3. The remaining boat or boats shall be lifeboats of Class 1. tárrthála d'Aicme 1 a bheidh líonmhar agus luchtmhar a

(4) Every ship to which this rule applies of under 100 feet in length shall carry at least one lifeboat of Class 1, so stowed that it can be readily placed in the water on either side of the ship, and of sufficient capacity to accommodate all persons on board.

(5) Every ship to which this rule applies if of 100 feet or over in length shall carry at least four approved lifebuoys and if under 100 feet at least two approved lifebuoys. One approved life-jacket shall be carried on every ship to which this rule applies for each person on board.

(6) Every ship to which this rule applies of 500 tons gross tonnage and upwards shall carry an approved type of line-throwing appliance.

SHIPS OF CLASS XIII.

Steam fish carriers, tugs, lighters, dredgers, barges, hoppers and hulks, which proceed to sea.

16. (1) This rule applies to ships of Class XIII.

(2) Every ship to which this rule applies shall comply with the provisions of rule 15 provided that the Minister may in his discretion relieve a ship which proceeds only for short distances to sea wholly or partially from the operation of those provisions.

SHIPS OF CLASS XIV.

Steam fish carriers, tugs, lighters, dredgers, barges, hoppers and hulks, which do not proceed to sea.

17. (1) This rule applies to ships of Class XIV.

(2) Every ship to which this rule applies shall carry a lifeboat of Class 1 or a boat of Class 3 sufficient to accommodate all persons on board, two approved lifebuoys, and one approved life-jacket for each person on board.

(3) The Minister may in his discretion relieve a ship to which this rule applies wholly or partially from the provisions of this rule.

SHIPS OF CLASS XV.

Foreign-going sailing ships not carrying more than twelve passengers.

18. (1) This rule applies to ships of Class XV.

(2) Every ship to which this rule applies shall carry lifeboats of Class 1 in such number and of such aggregate capacity as shall be sufficient to accommodate all persons on board; if only one lifeboat is required under this rule, a boat of Class 3 shall be carried in addition, and if the number of lifeboats required under this rule exceeds two, a boat of Class 3 may be carried in lieu of one of them.

(3) At least two boats shall be attached to davits, one on each side of the ship.

(4) Every ship to which this rule applies shall carry at least four approved lifebuoys, together with one approved life-jacket for each person on board.

(5) Every ship to which this rule applies of 500 tons gross tonnage and upwards shall carry an approved type of line-throwing appliance.

SHIPS OF CLASS XVI.

Home Trade sailing ships not carrying passengers.

19. (1) This rule applies to ships of Class XVI.

(2) Every ship to which this rule applies shall carry one or more boats of sufficient aggregate capacity to accommodate all persons on board. The boats shall be stowed in such a manner that they can readily be placed in the water on either side of the ship.

(3) At least one of the boats shall be a lifeboat of Class 1 except in the case of a ship of under 100 feet in length engaged solely in the coasting trade when the boat or boats may be of Class 3.

(4) Every ship to which this rule applies if of 100 feet or over in length shall carry at least four approved lifebuoys, and if of under 100 feet in length at least two approved lifebuoys.

(5) Every ship to which this rule applies shall carry one approved life-jacket for each person on board.

(6) Every ship to which this rule applies of 500 tons gross tonnage and upwards shall carry an approved type of line-throwing appliance.

REQUIREMENTS FOR BOATS, LIFE-RAFTS, BUOYANT APPARATUS AND OTHER LIFE-SAVING APPLIANCES.

General Requirements for Boats.

20. For the purposes of these rules the standard types of boats are classified as follows:—

Class 1. Open boats with rigid sides having either

(a) internal buoyancy appliances only, or

(b) internal and external buoyancy appliances.

Class 2.

(a) Open boats with internal and external buoyancy—upper parts of sides collapsible, and

(b) decked boats with either fixed or collapsible watertight bulwarks.

Class 3. Open boats constructed in accordance with the provisions of these rules relating to lifeboats of Class 1 but not having the buoyancy required for boats of that Class.

21. (1) All boats shall be properly constructed, and shall be of such form and proportions that they shall have ample stability in a seaway, and sufficient freeboard when loaded with their full complement of persons and equipment. They shall be fitted and arranged to the satisfaction of the Minister.

(2) (a) The structural strength of all boats shall be to the satisfaction of the Minister.

(b) In the case of boats carried on ships of Class I, Class II or Class III, the strength of such boats shall be sufficient to permit of their being safely lowered into the water when loaded with a full complement of persons and equipment, provided that this requirement shall not apply to any ship of Class II or Class III where the height of the boat deck above the water line at the vessel's lightest sea-going draught does not exceed 15 feet, or to any ship of Class III engaged on any approved voyage or excursion mentioned in paragraph 2 (a) of rule 6.

(3) In all open boats, all thwart and side seats shall be fitted as low in the boat as practicable, and bottom boards shall be fitted so that the thwarts shall not be more than 2 feet 9 inches above them.

(4) The cubic capacity of every boat must be at least 125 cubic feet.

(5) No boat shall be accepted, the buoyancy of which depends upon the previous adjustment of one of the principal parts of the hull.

(6) The weight of a boat when fully laden with persons and equipment shall not exceed 20 tons.

22. All lifeboats of Class 1 shall comply with the provisions of Part I of the fourth schedule to these rules in addition to the provisions of rule 21.

23. All lifeboats of Class 2 shall comply with the provisions of Part II of the fourth schedule to these rules in addition to the provisions of rule 21.

24. All lifeboats of Class 3 shall comply with the provisions of paragraph (1) of Part I of the fourth schedule to these rules in addition to the provisions of rule 21. Provided that metal boats of Class 3 shall in addition be provided with buoyancy appliances to give them buoyancy equal to that of wooden boats, and such appliances shall comply with paragraphs (2) and (3) of Part I of the fourth schedule.

General requirements for Motor Boats.

25. Every motor boat carried as part of the statutory life-saving appliances of a ship of Classes I or II, whether or not in compliance with paragraph (6) of rule 4 or paragraph (5) of rule 5, shall comply with the following conditions:—

(a) the boat shall comply with the requirements for a lifeboat of Class 1, subject to the provisions of rule 26 as to buoyancy;

(b) proper appliances shall be provided for putting the boat into the water speedily;

(c) the boat shall be adequately provided with fuel, and kept so as to be at all times ready for use;

(d) the motor and its accessories shall be suitably enclosed to ensure operation under adverse weather conditions, and provision shall be made for going astern;

(e) the speed shall be at least six knots when fully loaded in smooth water.

26. The volume of the internal buoyancy appliances of a motor boat and, where fitted, the external buoyancy appliances shall be at least equal to that of the buoyancy appliances which would be required under these rules if the boat were not a motor boat and shall be increased above that volume if and to the extent that such increase is necessary to compensate for the difference between (a) the weight of the motor and its accessories, and, if fitted, the searchlight and the wireless telegraph installation and their accessories, and (b) the weight of the additional persons which the boat could accommodate if the motor and its accessories, and if fitted, the searchlight and the wireless telegraph installation and their accessories were removed.

27. In the case of boats which are deemed fit to carry 100 or more persons the volume of the buoyancy appliances shall be increased beyond the volume required by rule 26 to such extent as may be determined by the Minister.

Carrying Capacity of Boats.

28. (1) (a) Subject as hereinafter provided, the number of persons which a boat shall be deemed fit to carry shall be equal tothe greatest whole number ascertained by dividing the capacity of the boat in cubic feet, determined in accordance with the provisions of Part I of the fifth schedule to these rules, or the surface of the boat in square feet determined in accordance with the provisions of Part II of the said fifth schedule, as the case may be, by the standard unit of capacity or unit of surface, as the case may be, shown in the following table:—

(b) The Minister may, in the case of a decked lifeboat of Class 2 accept, in place of 3½ square feet, a smaller unit of surface not being less than 3 square feet, if he is satisfied after trial that the number of persons for which there is proper seating accommodation in the boat is greater than the number obtained by applying the standard unit.

(2) The number of persons which a boat is deemed fit to carry shall not

(a) exceed the number of adult persons wearing life-jackets for which there is proper seating accommodation arranged in such a way that the persons when seated do not interfere in any way with the use of the oars; and

(b) in the case of lifeboats of Class 2 be such as to reduce the freeboard of the boat, when fully laden, below the minimum freeboard laid down for each type of boat in Part II of the fourth schedule to these rules.

(3) If the Surveyor is doubtful as to the number of persons any boat is fit to carry, he may require it to be tested afloat fully laden with equipment and the intended number of persons all wearing life-jackets.

(4) In the case of boats of a depth of more than 4 feet, boats with very fine ends and boats very full in form, the number of persons which the boat is deemed fit to carry may be determined by the Minister otherwise than in accordance with the foregoing provisions of this rule.

(5) For the purposes of this rule the raised part of the deck at the sides may be regarded as affording seating accommodation in decked boats of Class 2 having a well deck.

General requirements for life-rafts.

29. An approved life-raft shall comply with the following conditions:—

(a) It shall be of approved material and construction;

(b) It shall be effective and stable when floating either way up;

(c) It shall be fitted with fixed or collapsible bulwarks of wood, canvas or other suitable material around both the top and bottom platforms;

(d) It shall have a line securely becketed round the outside;

(e) It shall be of such strength that it can be launched or thrown from the ship's deck without being damaged, and if intended to be thrown it shall be of such size and weight that it can be easily handled;

(f) It shall have not less than three cubic feet of air-cases or equivalent buoyancy for each person to be carried thereon;

(g) It shall have a deck area of not less than four square feet for each person to be carried thereon, and it shall effectively support the occupants out of the water;

(h) The air-cases or equivalent buoyancy appliances shall be placed as near as possible to the sides of the life-raft, and such buoyancy appliances shall not be by any means dependent on inflation by air.

General requirements for Buoyant Apparatus.

30. (1) Approved buoyant apparatus, whether buoyant deck seats, buoyant deck chairs or other buoyant apparatus, shall be deemed to be sufficient, so far as buoyancy is concerned, for the number of persons equal to the greatest whole number ascertained by dividing the number of pounds of iron which the apparatus is capable of supporting in fresh water by 32, and the apparatus shall be deemed fit to support the number so ascertained or a number equal to the number of feet in the perimeter of the apparatus whichever number is .the smaller.

(2) All approved buoyant apparatus shall comply with the following conditions:—

(a) It shall be of efficient material and construction;

(b) It shall be effective and stable when floating either way up;

(c) It shall be of such size, strength and weight that it can be handled without mechanical appliances and, if necessary, thrown without damage from the ship's deck on which it is stowed;

(d) If it depends for its buoyancy on air it shall not be so constructed as to require inflation before use in an emergency;

(e) The air-cases or equivalent buoyancy appliances shall be placed as near as possible to the sides of the apparatus;

(f) It shall have a line securely becketed round the outside of the apparatus.

Marking of boats, life-rafts and buoyant apparatus.

31. (1) All boats shall be clearly and permanently marked to the satisfaction of a Surveyor to indicate their dimensions and the number of persons which they may carry.

(2) All life-rafts and buoyant apparatus shall be marked in the same manner with the number of persons which they may carry.

(3) Buoyant apparatus shall also be marked in the same manner with an indication that they are buoyant.

Equipment of Boats.

32. (1) Subject as hereinafter provided the equipment of every boat shall consist of:—

(a) A single banked complement of oars, two spare oars and a steering oar;

(b) Two plugs for each plug hole, attached with lanyards or chains, and one set and a half of thole pins or crutches, attached to the boat by lanyards. Plugs shall not be required where proper automatic valves are fitted.

(c) A sea anchor, a baler, a galvanised iron bucket, a rudder and a tiller, or yoke and yoke lines, a painter of sufficient length, and a boat-hook. The rudder, baler, and the bucket shall be attached to the boat by sufficiently long lanyards, and kept ready for use;

(d) A vessel capable of holding one quart for each person that the boat is deemed fit to carry. This vessel shall be kept filled with fresh water, and provided with a dipper with lanyard;

(e) Two hatchets, one to be kept at each end of the boat, and to be attached to the boat by a lanyard;

(f) A line securely becketed round the outside of the boat;

(g) An efficient lantern trimmed, with oil in its receiver sufficient to burn for eight hours, or with some other lantern or light approved by the Minister; and with a box of suitable matches in a water-tight tin;

(h) A mast or masts, and with at least one good sail and proper gear for each;

(i) An efficient compass;

(j) An air-tight case containing two pounds of biscuits for each person that the boat is deemed fit to carry;

(k) A vessel of approved pattern containing one gallon of vegetable or animal oil, so constructed that the oil can be easily distributed on the water and so arranged that it can be attached to the sea anchor;

(l) One dozen self-igniting red lights in a water-tight tin;

(m) One pound of condensed milk for each person that the boat is deemed fit to carry;

(n) A suitable locker for the stowage of the small items of the equipment.

(2) Every boat which is deemed fit to carry 100 or more persons shall be fitted with a motor and shall comply with the requirements of rules 25, 26 and 27.

(3) A motor boat need not carry a mast or sails or more than half the complement of oars, but it shall carry two boathooks.

(4) A decked boat shall have no plug-hole, but shall be provided with at least two bilge-pumps.

(5) In the case of a ship which carries passengers in the North Atlantic on a voyage not proceeding south of 35° North Latitude, only a proportion of the lifeboats, to be fixed by the Minister, need be equipped with masts and sails, and only one-half the quantity of condensed milk specified in paragraph (1) (m) of this rule need be carried.

(6) In the case of ships of Classes III, X, XII and XVI, the boats shall not be required to carry the equipment specified in sub-paragraphs (h), (j) and (m) of paragraph (1) of this rule, and in the case of ships of Class II, the Minister may allow this equipment to be dispensed with. In the case of ships of Classes IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, and XIV the boats shall not be required to carry the equipment specified in sub-paragraphs (h), (i), (j), (k), (l), (m), and (n) of paragraph (1) of this rule, and in the case of ships of Class XIII the Minister may allow this equipment to be dispensed with.

Wireless installations and searchlights on motor boats.

33. (1) The wireless installation to be carried on a motor boat in pursuance of paragraph (6) of rule 4 or paragraph (5) of rule 5 shall as regards range and efficiency comply with conditions to be determined by the Minister in each case.

(2) The searchlight to be carried by a motor boat in pursuance of paragraph (6) of rule 4 or paragraph (5) of rule 5 shall include a lamp of at least 80 watts, an efficient reflector and a source of power which will give effective illumination of a light-coloured object over a width of about 60 feet at a distance of 200 yards for a total period of six hours, and shall be capable of working for three hours continuously.

(3) Where the power for the wireless installation and the searchlight is derived from the same source, that source shall be of sufficient power to provide for the adequate working of both appliances.

Equipment of life-rafts.

34. (1) The normal equipment of every approved life-raft shall consist of:—

(a) Four oars;

(b) Five rowlocks;

(c) A self-igniting lifebuoy light;

(d) A sea-anchor;

(e) A painter;

(f) A vessel of approved pattern containing one gallon of vegetable or animal oil so constructed that the oil can be easily distributed on the water, and so arranged that it can be attached to the sea-anchor;

(g) An airtight receptacle containing two pounds of biscuits for each person to be carried;

(h) A watertight receptacle provided with a dipper with lanyard containing one quart of fresh water for each person to be carried;

(i) At least one dozen self-igniting red lights and a box of matches in watertight containers.

(2) In the case of ships of Classes II or III, the Minister may allow the equipment specified in sub-paragraph (g) of paragraph (1) of this rule to be dispensed with.

Stowage of equipment in boats and life-rafts.

35. All boats and life-raft shall be fully equipped before the ship proceeds to sea, and the equipment shall remain in the boat or life-raft throughout the voyage, while the ship is at sea, or shall be stowed in some convenient place where it will be immediately available in case of emergency.

Stowage and Handling of Boats, Life-rafts and Buoyant Apparatus.

36. (1) All boats attached to davits and all boats stowed under boats attached to davits shall be stowed to the satisfaction of the Minister in such a way that—

(i) they can be launched in the shortest possible time;

(ii) they will not impede in any way the prompt handling of any other of the boats attached to davits or stowed under boats attached to davits, or the buoyancy apparatus carried in pursuance of paragraph (8) of rule 4 or paragraph (7) of rule 5, or the marshalling of the persons on board at the launching stations, or their embarkation;

(iii) even under conditions of list and trim unfavourable from the point of view of the handling of the boats, as large a number of persons as possible can be embarked in them.

(2) (a) Boats and life-rafts additional to boats stowed under boats attached to davits shall be stowed across a deck, bridge of poop and so secured that they will have the best chance of floating free of the ship if there is no time to launch them. They must not impede in any way the prompt handling of the boats attached to davits or the boats stowed under boats attached to davits, or the buoyant apparatus, or the marshalling of the persons on board at the launching stations or their embarkation.

(b) As large a number as possible of the additional boats shall be capable of being launched on either side of the ship by means of approved appliances for transferring them from one side of the deck to the other.

(c) Satisfactory means shall be provided for lowering the additional boats into the water.

(3) Subject to the foregoing provisions of this rule boats may be stowed one above the other, or they may, subject to such conditions as the Minister may impose, be fitted one within another, but where boats so fitted require lifting before being launched mechanical power appliances for lifting shall be provided. In no other case shall boats be so stowed as to require lifting before being launched.

(4) Where a boat is stowed underneath another boat there shall be provided approved removable supports or other approved appliances, so as to secure that the weight of a boat is not unduly supported by the boat underneath it.

(5) Boats may only be stowed on more than one deck on condition that proper measures are taken to prevent boats on a lower deck being fouled by those stowed on a deck above.

(6) Boats shall not be placed in the bows of the ship or in any positions in which they would be brought into dangerous proximity to the propellers at the time of launching.

(7) All life-rafts and buoyant apparatus shall be so stowed as to be readily available in case of emergency.

(8) Davits shall be of approved form and shall be so disposed on one or more decks that the boats placed under them can be safely lowered without interference from the operation of any other davits.

(9) (a) The davits, falls, blocks, and all other gear shall be of sufficient strength to the satisfaction of the Minister.

(b) In the case of ships of Classes I, II and III, the davits, falls, blocks and all other gear, shall be of such strength that the boats can be safely lowered with the full complement of persons and equipment, with the ship listed to 15 degrees either way.

(c) Life lines shall be fitted to the davit spans, and the falls and life-lines shall be long enough to reach the water with the ship at her lightest sea-going draught and listed to 15 degrees either way. Hooks shall not be attached to the lower tackle blocks.

(10) In the case of ships of Classes I, II and III, the davits shall be fitted with gear of sufficient power to ensure that the boat, fully equipped and manned, but not otherwise loaded with passengers, can be turned out against the maximum list at which the lowering of the boats is possible.

(11) Boats attached to davits shall have the falles ready for service, and means shall be provided for speedily, but not necessarily simultaneously, detaching the boats from the falls. The points of attachment of the boats to the falls shall be so situated as to ensure the boats being easily swung clear of the davits.

(12) The boats' chocks shall be of such construction and arranged in such manner as shall be satisfactory to the Minister.

(13) Where more than one boat is served by the same set of davits, if the falls are of rope, separate falls shall be provided to serve each boat, but where wire falls are used with mechanical appliances for recovering them, separate falls need not be provided. The appliances used shall be such as to ensure lowering the boats rapidly and in turn. Where mechanical power appliances are fitted for the recovery of the falls, efficient hand gear shall also be provided.

(14) In the case of ships of Class II or Class III, where the height of the boat deck above the water line when the vessel is at her lightest sea-going draught does not exceed 15 feet, and ships of Class III engaged on any approved voyage or excursion mentioned in paragraph (2) (a) of rule 6, the requirements of paragraphs (9) (b), (10) and (13) of this rule shall not apply but provision shall be made for the matters to which those paragraphs relate to the satisfaction of the Minister.

Life-Jackets.

37. (1) An approved life-jacket shall mean a jacket or other approved appliance capable of being fitted on the body, of approved material and construction, which is capable of floating in fresh water for at least 24 hours with 16½ lbs. of iron suspended from it. It shall be reversible and suitable both for adults and children.

(2) No life-jackets shall be approved or carried the buoyancy of which depends on air compartments.

Lifebuoys.

38. (1) (a) An approved lifebuoy shall be of solid cork or other approved material and shall be capable of floating in fresh water for at least 24 hours with 32 lbs. of iron suspended from it.

(b) No lifebuoys filled with rushes, cork shavings, granulated cork or any other loose granulated material, or whose buoyancy depends upon air compartments requiring inflation, shall be approved or carried.

(2) All lifebuoys shall be fitted with beckets securely seized, and at least one on each side of the ship shall be fitted with a life-line at least 15 fathoms in length.

(3) (a) In every ship except ships of Classes IV, V, VI, VII or VIII, at least half the lifebuoys required by these rules shall be provided with approved self-igniting lights which cannot be extinguished in water, so however, that in the case of ships of Classes I, II or III, the number of lifebuoys so provided shall not in any case be less than six.

(b) In every ship of Class IV the number of lifebuoys so provided shall not be less than two.

(c) These lights shall be kept near the lifebuoys to which they belong, with the necessary means of attachment.

Stowage of Lifebuoys and Life-jackets.

39. (1) All lifebuoys and life-jackets shall be stowed to the satisfaction of a Surveyor and so as to be readily accessible to the persons on board; their position shall be plainly indicated so as to be known to the persons concerned.

(2) Lifebuoys shall always be capable of being rapidly cast loose, and shall not be permanently secured in any way.

Line-throwing Appliances.

40. (1) An approved line-throwing appliance shall consist of

(a) Four 2-lb. line-throwing rockets with suitable sticks or other approved apparatus capable of throwing a line 5/16ths inch in circumference, a distance of 120 yards in calm weather, and

(b) Two lines, 5/16ths inch in circumference each not less than 240 yards in length, having a breaking strain of not less than 150 lbs.

(2) The rockets with the means of igniting them and the lines shall be kept in a water-tight case.

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS.

Embarkation in the Boats and Life-rafts.

41. (1) Suitable arrangements as required by the Minister shall be made on ships of Classes I, II and III for embarking the passengers in the boats at an embarkation deck. Ships of Class I shall be provided throughout the ship with electrically operated signals controlled from the bridge for summoning passengers to muster stations.

(2) All ships of Classes I, II, III and IV shall carry not less than one ladder of an approved type at each set of davits. Ships of Classes IX, X, XI, XII, XV and XVI, shall carry at least one ladder of an approved type for every two sets of davits. The ladders shall be of sufficient length to reach the water line with the ship at her lightest sea-going draught and listed to 15 degrees either way, and shall be carried in such a manner as to be always available for use in embarking the persons in the boats or life-rafts.

Means of Ingress and Egress. Emergency Lighting.

42. (1) Proper arrangements shall be made to the satisfaction of the Minister on all passenger ships for ingress to and egress from the different compartments and decks.

(2) Provision shall be made on all ships of Classes I and II for an electric or other system of lighting, sufficient to the satisfaction of the Minister for all requirements of safety, in the different parts of the ship, and particularly upon the decks on which the boats are stowed. On ships in which the boat deck is more than 30 feet above the waterline at the lightest sea-going draught, provision shall be made for the illumination from the ship of the boats when alongside and in process of or immediately after being launched. There must be a self-contained source of power capable of supplying, when necessary, this safety lighting system, and placed in the upper parts of the ship above the bulkhead deck.

(3) In ships of Classes I and II the exit from every main compartment occupied by passengers or crew shall be continuously lighted by an emergency lamp. The power for these emergency lamps shall be so arranged that they will be supplied from the source of power referred to in paragraph (2) of this rule in the event of failure of the main generating plant.

Certificated Lifeboatmen.

43 (1) The crew of every ship of Classes I, II, III and IV shall include, for each boat or life-raft carried as part of the statutory life-saving appliances, a number of certicated lifeboatmen not less than that specified in the following table:—

(2) If the Minister has reason to believe that a certificated lifeboatman no longer possesses the qualifications described in the following paragraph, he may require him to submit himself for re-examination at such time and place as he may determine, and if he does not prove to the satisfaction of the Minister that he possesses the qualifications aforesaid, the Minister may cancel the certificate, whereupon the holder shall deliver the certificate to the Minister and shall be deemed to be no longer a certificated lifeboatman.

(3) For the purpose of this rule—

"certificated lifeboatman" means any member of the crew who holds a certificate issued by or under the authority of the Minister. In order to be so certificated, an applicant shall be examined and shall satisfy the examiner that he is at least 18 years of age, has been trained in all the operations connected with launching lifeboats and the use of oars; is acquainted with the practical handling of the boats themselves; and, further, that he is capable of understanding and answering the orders relative to lifeboat service;

"prescribed complement" means the number of persons which a boat or life-raft is deemed fit to carry under these rules.

Equivalents and Exemptions.

44. (1) Where Part 1 of these rules requires that a particular fitting, appliance or apparatus, or type thereof, shall be fitted or carried in a ship, or that any particular provision shall be made, the Minister may allow any other fitting, appliance or apparatus, or type thereof, to be fitted or carried, or any other provision to be made, if he is satisfied that that other fitting, appliance or apparatus, or type thereof, or provision, is at least as effective as that required by these rules.

(2) If it appears to the Minister on the application of the owner of any ship that it is not practicable or reasonable to fit in that ship the number of sets of davits required by Part 1 of these rules, the Minister may direct that one or more sets of davits may be dispensed with in that ship, subject to such conditions, if any, as the Minister may require.

Provided that, in the case of a ship of Class I or Class II, the foregoing exemption shall only be allowed under exceptional conditions, and the number of sets of davits fitted shall in no case be less than the minimum number determined by Column B of the table in the first schedule to these rules.

(3) If a ship of Class I is permitted by the terms of her passenger certificate to carry, between specified ports or places abroad, a number of passengers in addition to the number allowed when the ship is proceeding to sea from Ireland, the Minister may, subject to such conditions as he thinks fit, allow as regards the part of the voyage between such specified ports or places such modifications of the provisions of paragraph (4) and (8) of rule 4 (relating respectively to lifeboats and buoyant apparatus) as appear to him to be justified, so however that in no case shall the aggregate capacity of lifeboats or the provision of buoyant apparatus on that part of the voyage be less than would be required under rule 5 if the ship were a ship of Class II.

(4) The Minister may, in his discretion, exempt any ship of Class II or Class III from the requirements of paragraph (5) of rule 5 relating to the carriage of motor lifeboats.

(5) If a ship is so small as to be unable to carry more than one boat, the Minister may, in his discretion, exempt that ship from carrying more than one boat, but whenever one boat only is carried, proper provision shall be made to enable it to be placed readily in the water on either side of the ship.

(6) If it is impracticable in any case for a ship to carry a boat of the minimum capacity prescribed by Part 1 of these rules, the Minister may, in his discretion, allow a boat of smaller capacity to be carried by that ship.

(7) The Minister may, on such conditions as he thinks fit, exempt any ship constructed before the 1st July, 1931 (not being a ship in respect of which exemption can be granted under the provisions of proviso (a) to Section 4 of the Merchant Shipping (Safety and Load Line Conventions) Act, 1933 ), from any of the requirements of Part 1 of these rules, if he is satisfied that that requirement is either impracticable or unreasonable in the case of that ship.

Ships Certified to carry not more than Twelve Passengers.

45. A ship which is certified to carry a number of passengers not exceeding twelve, and which, if it were not certified to carry passengers, would be subject to the provisions of rule 14 or rule 15 as the case may be, shall comply with those rules respectively, and not with those applying to ships of any other Class.

PART 2: FIRE APPLIANCES.

Classification of Ships.

46. For the purposes of this Part of these rules, ships shall be arranged in the following classes:—

Class A.

Steamships carrying more than 12 passengers other than ships of Classes B and C.

Class B.

(i) Steamships carrying passengers in pursuance of a Passenger Certificate (St. 3) for a vessel plying on short excursions to sea beyond partially smooth water limits during daylight in summer* and in fine weather;

*1st April to 31st October (inclusive).

(ii) Steamships carrying passengers in pursuance of a Passenger Certificate (St. 4) for a vessel plying in partially smooth water;

(iii) Steamships (other than open motor ships) carrying passengers in pursuance of a Passenger Certificate (St. 5) for a vessel plying in smooth water;

(iv) Steamships (other than motor ships) carrying passengers in pursuance of a Passenger Certificate (St. 6) for a vessel plying for short distances to sea.

Class C.

(i) Open motor ships carrying passengers in pursuance of a Passenger Certificate (St. 5 Motor) for a vessel plying in smooth water;

(ii) Motor ships carrying passengers in pursuance of a Passenger Certificate (St. 6) for a vessel plying for short distances to sea.

Patrols and Detection.

47. (1) On every ship of Class A, an efficient patrol system shall be maintained so that any outbreak of fire may be promptly detected.

(2) On every ship of Class A, an approved fire alarm or fire detecting system shall be provided which will automatically indicate or register at one or more points or stations in the ship where it can be most quickly observed by officers and crew, the presence or indication of fire in any part of the ship not accessible to the patrol system.

FIRE EXTINGUISHING APPLIANCES.

SHIPS OF CLASS A.

Spaces occupied by Passengers and Crew.

48. (1) Every ship of Class A shall be provided with apparatus whereby at least two powerful jets of water can be rapidly and simultaneously directed on any part of each deck or space occupied by passengers or crew even when the watertight and fire-resisting doors are closed.

(2) Every ship of Class A shall be provided with such number of approved portable fluid fire extinguishers as the Minister may deem sufficient.

Cargo Spaces.

49. (1) Every ship of Class A shall be provided with apparatus whereby at least two powerful jets of water can be rapidly and simultaneously directed into any cargo space.

(2) Every ship of Class A of 1,000 tons gross tonnage and upwards shall be provided with apparatus whereby fire smothering gas sufficient to give a minimum volume of free gas equal to 30 per cent. of the gross volume of the largest hold in the ship can be promptly conveyed by a permanent piping system into any compartment in which cargo is carried.

Provided that the use of steam, if available in adequately equivalent proportion, may be allowed in lieu of smothering gas on steam-driven ships.

Machinery and Bunker Spaces.

50. Every ship of Class A shall be provided with apparatus whereby at least two powerful jets of water can be rapidly and simultaneously directed into any part of the coal bunker spaces, boiler rooms and machinery spaces.

51. Every ship of Class A in which the main boilers are coal fired shall be provided with at least two approved portable fluid fire extinguishers in each of the boiler rooms and machinery spaces.

52. (1) Every ship of Class A in which the main boilers are oil fired shall be provided with:—

(a) Suitable Conductors for spraying water on oil without undue disturbance of the surface;

(b) In each firing space a receptacle containing at least 10 cubic feet of sand, sawdust impregnated with soda, or other approved dry materials and scoops for distributing such material;

(c) In each boiler room and in each of the machinery spaces in which a part of the oil fuel installation is situated, two approved portable extinguishers of a type discharging froth, or other approved medium suitable for quenching oil fires;

(d) Approved apparatus whereby froth can be rapidly discharged and distributed over the whole of the power part of the boiler room or of any one boiler room, if there are more than one, or of any machinery space in which oil fuel units or settling tanks are situated. The quantity of froth which can be discharged shall be sufficient to cover to a depth of 6 inches the whole area of the plating formed in any one compartment by the inner bottom plating or by the shell plating of the vessel if there is no double bottom tank. If the engine and boiler rooms are not entirely separate, and fuel oil can drain from the boiler room bilges into the engine room, the combined engine and boiler rooms shall be considered as one compartment. The apparatus shall be controlled from outside the compartments into which it is required to discharge froth.

(e) One approved extinguisher constructed to discharge froth of at least 30 gallons capacity in the case of ships having one boiler room, and two such extinguishers in the case of ships with more than one boiler room. These extinguishers shall be provided with hoses on reels suitable for reaching any part of the boiler rooms and spaces containing oil fuel pumping units.

(2) All containers and the valves by which such containers are operated shall be easily accessible and so placed that they will not readily be cut off from use by an outbreak of fire.

53. Every motor ship of Class A shall comply with the requirements of sub-paragraph (a) of rule 52 (1) and shall be provided in each of the machinery spaces with extinguishers as follows:—

(a) At least one approved 10-gallon extinguisher constructed to discharge froth and, in addition, one approved two-gallon extinguisher constructed to discharge froth for each 1,000 B.H.P. of the engines, or part thereof, so however that the total number of two-gallon extinguishers so provided shall not be less than two and need not exceed six.

(b) When a donkey boiler is situated in a machinery space, there shall be provided in that space, in place of the 10-gallon extinguisher required by paragraph (a) of this rule, an extinguisher of 30 gallons capacity, fitted with suitable hose attachments or other approved means for distributing the froth.

Pumps.

54. (1) Every ship of Class A of 4,000 tons gross tonnage and upwards shall be provided with at least three fire pumps operated by steam or other motive power, and every such ship of under 4,000 tons gross tonnage with at least two such fire pumps.

(2) Each of such fire pumps shall be capable of delivering an approved quantity of water in two powerful jets simultaneously in any part of the ship.

(3) Each of such fire pumps shall be provided with effective escape valves suitably adjusted and so placed as to prevent excessive pressure in any part of the water-service system.

(4) When more than two such pumps are required they shall not all be fitted in the same space.

(5) In ships in which the main boilers are oil-fired, if the engine and boiler rooms are not entirely separated by a steel bulkhead, and if fuel oil can drain from the boiler room bilges into the engine room, one of the fire pumps shall be situated in the tunnel or in some other space outside the machinery compartment.

Water Service Pipes.

55. (1) Every ship of Class A shall he provided with water service pipes of ample size and made of suitable material to the satisfaction of the Minister.

(2) On every ship of Class A the branch water service pipes and hydrants shall be so placed on each deck that the fire hoses can be easily coupled to them.

Fire Hoses.

56. Every ship of Class A shall be provided with a sufficient number of fire hoses of ampe size and made of suitable material to the satisfaction of the Minister.

Smoke Helmets and Safety Lamps.

57. On every ship of Class A at least two approved equipments, each consisting of a breathing apparatus or smoke helmet and a safety lamp, shall be carried on board and kept in widely separated places.

Emergency Appliances.

58. Every ship of Class A shall be provided with such outfit of emergency fire appliances as the Minister may deem sufficient.

SHIPS OF CLASS B.

Spaces occupied by Passengers and Crew.

59. (1) Every ship of Class B shall be provided with apparatus whereby a powerful jet of water can be rapidly brought to bear upon any part of each deck or space occupied by passengers or crew.

(2) Every ship of Class B shall be provided with such number of approved portable fluid fire extinguishers as the Minister may deem sufficient.

Store Rooms, etc.

60. Every ship of Class B shall be provided with apparatus whereby a powerful jet of water can be rapidly directed into any store room or cargo space.

Machinery and Bunker Spaces.

61. Every ship of Class B, other than ships to which sub-paragraph (a) of rule 62 (1) applies, shall be provided with apparatus whereby a powerful jet of water can be rapidly directed into any part of the coal bunker spaces, boiler rooms and machinery spaces.

62. (1) Every ship of Class B which proceeds beyond partially smooth water limits, and in which the boiler or boilers are oil fired, shall be provided with:—

(a) Apparatus whereby two powerful jets of water can be rapidly and simultaneously directed into any part of the boiler rooms and machinery spaces;

(b) Conductors for spraying water on oil without undue disturbance of the surface;

(c) A receptacle containing a suitable quantity of sand, sawdust impregnated with soda, or other approved dry materials in each firing space, and scoops for distributing such material;

(d) Two approved portable extinguishers constructed to discharge froth, or other approved medium suitable for quenching oil fires, in the boiler room and in each of the machinery spaces in which a part of the oil fuel installation is situated;

(e) Approved apparatus whereby froth can be rapidly discharged and distributed over the whole of the lower part of the boiler room, or of any machinery space in which oil fuel units or settling tanks are situated. The quantity of froth which can be discharged shall be sufficient to cover to a depth of 6 inches the whole area of the plating formed in any one compartment by the inner bottom plating or by the shell plating of the vessel if there is no double bottom. If the engine and boiler rooms are not entirely separate, and fuel oil can drain from the boiler room bilges into the engine room, the combined engine and boiler rooms shall be considered as one compartment. The apparatus shall be controlled from outside the compartments into which it is required to discharge froth;

(f) At least two approved extinguishers constructed to discharge froth of 10 gallons capacity with hoses suitable for reaching any part of the boiler room and spaces containing oil fuel units.

(2) All containers and the valves by which such containers are operated shall be easily accessible and so placed that they will not readily be cut off from use by an outbreak of fire.

63. Every ship of Class B which does not proceed beyond partially smooth water limits, and in which the boiler or boilers are oil fired, shall be provided with one approved extinguisher constructed to discharge froth of at least 30 gallons capacity with hoses suitable for reaching any part of the boiler room and spaces containing oil fuel units, and shall also comply with the requirements of sub-paragraphs (b), (c) and (d) of paragraph (1) and paragraph (2) of rule 62.

64. Every motor ship of Class B proceeding beyond partially smooth water limits and every decked motor ship of Class B plying in partially smooth water shall, if using oil of a flash point of not less than 150° F., be provided in each of the machinery spaces with extinguishers of a type discharging froth, as set forth in paragraphs (a) and (b) of rule 53.

65. Every decked motor ship of Class B plying in smooth water, if using oil of a flash point of not less than 150° F., shall be provided in each of the machinery spaces with at least two approved two-gallon extinguishers of a type discharging froth, or, if that space can be rapidly and completely closed, a suitable number of tetrachloride or other approved extinguishers in lieu of such froth extinguishers.

Pumps.

66. (1) Every ship of Class B shall be provided with at least one fire pump of ample capacity, operated by steam or other motive power.

(2) Every ship of Class B in which the boiler or boilers are oil-fired and every motor ship of Class B shall be provided with an additional fire pump connected to the water service pipes. Such pump shall not be placed in the same compartment with the pump required by paragraph (1) of this rule, and may be a manual bilge pump of the rotary type of large power, situated on deck in a position away from the engine room. The sea suction valve shall be capable of being controlled from outside the machinery compartment.

Water Service Pipes and Fire Hoses.

67. Every ship of Class B shall comply with the requirements of rules 55 and 56.

Wood ships and other ships requiring special consideration.

68. Wood ships and ships in which the flash point of the oil used as fuel is lower than 150°F. shall comply with the requirements of the foregoing rules with such modifications as the Minister may deem necessary.

SHIPS OF CLASS C.

Buckets and Balers.

69. Every ship of Class C shall be provided with such number of buckets and balers as the Minister may deem sufficient and such buckets and balers shall be placed in convenient and accessible positions on the ship so that they will be readily available in case of fire.

Sand.

70. Every ship of Class C shall be provided with a box containing a suitable quantity of sand, sawdust impregnated with soda, or other approved dry materials, and a scoop for distributing such material.

Fire Extinguishers.

71. (1) Every ship of Class C shall be provided with approved fire extinguishers in accordance with the following scale:—

(a) Open Motor Ships not exceeding30 feet in length.

Two tetrachloride fluid extinguishers of the hand pump type and one froth or foam fluid extinguisher, each of a capacity of at least one gallon.

(b) Open Motor Ships over 30 feet, but not exceeding 50 fast in length.

Two tetrachloride fluid extinguishers of the hand pump type and two froth or foam fluid extinguishers, each of a capacity of at least one gallon.

(c) Open Motor Ships over 50 feet, but not exceeding 70 feet in length.

Three tetrachloride fluid extinguishers of the hand pump type and two froth or foam fluid extinguishers, each of a capacity of at least two gallons.

(d) Open Motor Ships over 70 feet in length.

Such number of tetrachloride and froth or foam fluid extinguishers of such size as the Minister may deem sufficient.

(2) Such fire extinguishers shall be placed in positions ready for immediate use, and one shall be placed at each end of the vessel.

(3) Every decked motor ship of Class C shall in addition be provided with:—

(a) One fire pump (hand or power);

(b) One approved portable fluid fire extinguisher in each passenger compartment.

General.

72. All fire extinguishing apparatus and appliances shall be in working order and available for immediate use before the ship leaves port and at all times during the voyage.

Equivalents and Exemptions.

73. (1) Where Part 2 of these rules requires that a particular fitting, appliance or apparatus or type thereof, shall be fitted or carried in a ship, or that any particular provision shall be made in a ship, the Minister may allow any other fitting, appliance or apparatus or type thereof, to be fitted or carried or any other provision to be made if he is satisfied that that other fitting, appliance, apparatus or type thereof, or provision, is at least as effective as that required by these rules.

(2) The Minister may, on such conditions as he thinks fit, exempt any ship constructed before the 1st July, 1931 (not being a ship in respect of which exemption can be granted under the provisions of proviso (a) to Section 4 of the Merchant Shipping (Safety and Load Line Conventions) Act, 1933 ) from any of the requirements of Part 2 of these rules, if he is satisfied that that requirement is either impracticable or unreasonable in the case of that ship.

(3) The Minister may exempt any ship of Class B or Class C from any of the requirements of Part 2 of these rules if he is satisfied that that requirement is either impracticable or unreasonable in the case of that ship.

PART 3: MUSTERS AND DRILLS.

74. This Part of these rules applies to all sea going passenger steamships registered in Ireland other than steamships carrying passengers in pursuance of a passenger certificate entitled "Passenger Certificate for a vessel plying for short distances to sea."

Muster List.

75. (1) The Master of every ship to which this Part of these rules applies shall allot special duties to each member of his crew for the event of an emergency and shall draw up a muster list showing these special duties and the station to which each man must go in such event.

(2) The muster list shall be complete before the ship proceeds to sea and copies shall be posted up in several parts of the ship and in particular in the crew's quarters.

(3) The muster list shall assign the duties to the members of the crew in connection with—

(a) the closing of the watertight doors, valves, etc.;

(b) the equipment of the boats, life-rafts and bouyant apparatus generally;

(c) the launching of the boats attached to davits;

(d) the general preparation of the other boats, the life-rafts and buoyant apparatus;

(e) the muster of the passengers;

(f) the extinction of fire.

(4) The muster list shall assign to the members of the stewards' department their several duties in relation to the passengers at a time of emergency. These duties shall include:—

(a) warning the passengers;

(b) seeing that they are dressed and have put on their life-jackets in a proper manner;

(c) assembling the passengers at muster stations;

(d) keeping order in the passages and on the stairways, and, generally, controlling the movements of the passengers.

(5) The muster list shall specify definite signals for calling all the crew to their boat and fire stations, and shall give full particulars of these signals.

Emergency Signal for Passengers.

76. (1) The emergency signal for summoning passengers to muster stations shall be a succession of more than six short blasts, followed by one long blast on the whistle or siren.

(2) The meaning of all signals affecting passengers shall be clearly stated in such languages as the Master may deem necessary on cards posted up in cabins and other passenger quarters.

Musters and Drills.

77. (1) Musters of the crew shall be held weekly when practicable, and if the ship is about to proceed on a voyage exceeding one week in duration a muster of the crew shall be held before leaving port.

(2) Different groups of boats shall be used in turn at successive boat drills. The drills and inspection shall be so arranged that the crew thoroughly understand and are practised in the duties they have to perform, and that all life-saving appliances with the gear appertaining to them are always ready for immediate use.

(3) A practice muster of the passengers shall be held at an early period of the voyage in a ship about to proceed on a voyage exceeding one week in duration.

(4) The Master shall cause to be recorded in the ship's official log book the dates on which musters are held on board the ship, and if in any week a muster is not held an entry shall be made stating the reason.

Given under the Seal of Office of the Minister for Industry and Commerce this 28th day of September, 1938.

JOHN LEYDON,

Secretary,

Department of Industry and Commerce.

FIRST SCHEDULE.

TABLE.

Rules 4, 5 and 6.

Note on columns (A) and (B).—When the length of the ship is 1,030 feet or upwards, the Minister shall determine the minimum number of sets of davits for that ship.

Note on columns (C) and (D).—For the purposes of this table the capacity in cubic feet of a lifeboat of Class 2 shall be obtained by multiplying the number of persons which the lifeboat is deemed fit to carry by 10.

Note on column (D).—When the length of a ship is under 100 feet or is 550 feet or upwards, the minimum cubic capacity of the lifeboats shall be determined by the Minister.

SECOND SCHEDULE.

TABLE A.

Minimum number of sets of davits to be provided in a ship of Class III in certain cases.

Rule 6 (2) (a).

When the length of the ship is 360 feet or upwards, the number of sets of davits to be provided shall be determined by the Minister.

TABLE B.

Minimum aggregate cubic capacity of lifeboats to be carried in a ship of Class III in certain cases.

When the length of the ship is under 100 or is 360 feet and upwards the minimum aggregate capacity of the lifeboats to be carried shall be determined by the Minister.

THIRD SCHEDULE.

Table showing the minimum number of sets of davits to be provided in a ship of Class IV, or Class V.

Rules 7 and 8.

When the length of the ship is 320 feet or upwards, the number of sets of davits to be provided shall be determined by the Minister.

FOURTH SCHEDULE.

PART I.

LIFEBOATS OF CLASS 1.

Rules 22 and 23.

(1) Every boat shall have a mean sheer at least equal to four per cent. of its length.

(2) The air-cases of every boat shall be so placed as to secure stability when fully laden under adverse weather conditions.

(3) Internal buoyancy appliances shall be constructed of copper or yellow metal of not less than 18 ozs. to the superficial foot, or of other approved material.

Lifeboats with Internal Buoyancy Appliances only.

Class I (a).

(4) The buoyancy of a wooden boat of this type shall be provided by watertight air-cases, the total volume of which shall be at least equal to one-tenth of the cubic capacity of the boat.

(5) The buoyancy of a metal boat of this type shall not be less than that required for a wooden boat of the same cubic capacity, and the volume of watertight air-cases shall be increased accordingly.

Lifeboats with Internal and External Buoyancy Appliances.

Class I (b).

(6) The internal buoyancy of a wooden boat of this type shall be provided by watertight air-cases, the total volume of which is at least equal to seven and a half per cent. of the cubic capacity of the boat.

(7) The external buoyancy may be provided by means of cork or any other equally efficient material, but buoyancy shall not be obtained by the use of rushes, cork shavings, loose granulated cork or any other loose granulated substance, or by any means dependent upon inflation by air.

(8) If the buoyancy appliances are of cork, their volume, for a wooden boat, shall not be less than thirty-three thousandths of the cubic capacity of the boat; if of any material other than cork, their volume and distribution shall be such that the buoyancy and stability of the boat are not less than that of a similar boat provided with buoyancy appliances of cork.

(9) The buoyancy of a metal boat shall be not less than that required for a wooden boat of the same cubic capacity, and the volume of the watertight air-cases and of the external buoyancy appliances shall be increased accordingly.

PART II.

LIFEBOATS OF CLASS 2.

Open Boats with Internal and External Buoyancy—Upper Part of Sides collapsible

Class 2 (a).

(10) A wooden boat of this type shall be fitted both with watertight air-cases and with external buoyancy appliances the aggregate volume of which, for each person which the boat is able to accommodate, shall be at least equal to the following amounts:—

(11) Internal buoyancy appliances shall be constructed of copper or yellow metal of not less than 18 ozs. to the superficial foot or other approved material.

(12) The external buoyancy appliances may be of cork or of any other equally efficient material, but buoyancy shall not be obtained by the use of rushes, cork shavings, loose granulated cork, or any other loose granulated substance, or by any means dependent upon inflation by air. If of any material other than cork, their volume and distribution shall be such that the buoyancy and stability of the boat are not less than that of a similar boat provided with buoyancy appliances of cork.

(13) A metal boat of this type shall be provided with internal and external appliances to ensure that the buoyancy of the boat shall be at least equal to that of a wooden boat of the same cubic capacity.

(14) The freeboard of a boat of this type shall be measured vertically to the top of the solid hull at the side amidships, from the water-level, when the boat is loaded with its full complement of persons and equipment.

(15) The minimum freeboard in fresh water of a boat of this type shall be fixed in relation to its length and shall be determined by the following Table:—

The minimum freeboard of boats of intermediate lengths is to be found by interpolation.

(16) The collapsible sides of every lifeboat shall be watertight.

Decked Boats with either Fixed or Collapsible Watertight Bulwarks.

Class 2 (b).

(17) In the case of boats of the type having a well deck the area of the well deck shall be at least 30 per cent. of the total deck area. The height of the well deck above the water-line at all points shall be at least equal to one-half per cent. of the length of the boat, this height being increased to one-and-a-half per cent. of the length of the boat at the ends of the well. The freeboard in fresh water shall be such as to provide for a reserve buoyancy of at least 35 per cent.

(18) (a) The minimum freeboard of a boat of this type having a flush deck is independent of its length and depends only upon its depth. The depth of the boat is to be measured vertically from the underside of the garboard strake to the top of the deck at the side amidships and the freeboard is to be measured from the top of the deck at the side amidships to the water-level when the boat is loaded with its full complement of persons and equipment.

(b) The minimum freeboard in fresh water shall be determined by the following Table which is applicable without correction to boats having a mean sheer equal to three per cent. of their length (hereinafter called the standard sheer):—

For intermediate depths the minimum freeboard is obtained by interpolation.

(c) If the sheer is less than the standard sheer the minimum freeboard shall be obtained by adding to the figures in the Table one-seventh of the difference between the standard sheer and the actual mean sheer measured at the stem and stern post; no deduction shall be made from the freeboard on account of the sheer being greater than the standard sheer or on account of the camber of the deck.

(19) Decked boats may be built of wood or metal. If constructed of wood, they shall have the bottom and deck made of two thicknesses with textile material between; if of metal, they shall be divided into watertight compartments with means of access to each compartment.

(20) All decked boats shall be fitted with efficient means for clearing the deck of water. The orifices for this purpose shall be such that the water cannot enter the boat through them when they are intermittently submerged. The number and size of the orifices shall be determined by the Minister for each type of boat by a special test.

(21) For the purpose of this test:—

(a) The decked boat shall be loaded with a weight of iron equal to that of its complement of persons and equipment.

(b) In the case of a boat 28 feet in length, two tons of water shall be cleared from a boat with a well deck in not more than 60 seconds, and in the case of a boat with a flush deck, in not more than 20 seconds.

(c) In the case of a boat having a length (l) greater or less than 28 feet the weight of water in tons to be cleared in the same times as mentioned in sub-paragraph (b) shall be for each type calculated by the formula 1÷14.

FIFTH SCHEDULE.

PART I.

Rule 28.

CUBIC CAPACITY OF LIFEBOATS OF CLASS I.

(1)—(a) The cubic capacity of a lifeboat of Class I shall be determined by the formula set out below or by any other method giving the same degree of accuracy. The capacity of a square sterned boat shall be calculated as if the boat had a pointed stern.

ldenotes the length of the boat in feet from the inside of the planking or plating at the stem to the corresponding point at the stern post; in the case of a boat with a square stern, the length is measured to the inside of the transom;

A, B, C, denote respectively, the areas of the cross-sections at the quarter length forward, amidships, and the quarter length aft, which correspond to the three points obtained by dividing l into four equal parts (the areas corresponding to the two ends of the boat are considered negligible).

The areas A, B, C shall be deemed to be given in square feet by the successive application of the following formula to each of the three cross-sections:—

hdenotes the depth measured in feet inside the planking or plating from the keel to the level of the gunwale, or, in certain cases, to a lower level, as determined hereafter;

a, b, c, d, e denote the horizontal breadths of the boat measured in feet at the upper and lower points of the depth and at the three points obtained by dividing h into four equal parts (a and e being the breadths at the extreme points, and c at the middle point of h)

(b) If the oars are pulled in rowlocks, the bottom of the rowlocks shall be considered as the gunwale in measuring the depth of the boat.

(c) If the sheer of the gunwale, measured at the two points situated at a quarter of the length of the boat from the ends, exceeds 1 per cent. of the length of the boat, the depth employed in calculating the area of the cross-sections A or C shall be deemed to be the depth amidships plus 1 per cent. of the length of the boat.

(d) If the depth of the boat amidships exceeds 45 per cent. of the breadth, the depth employed in calculating the area of the midship cross-section B shall be deemed to be equal to 45 per cent. of the breadth, and the depth employed in calculating the areas of the quarter length sections A and C is obtained by increasing this last figure by an amount equal to 1 per cent. of the length of the boat, provided that in no case shall the depths employed in the calculation exceed the actual depths at these points.

(2) Unless the owner of a boat requires the cubic capacity to be determined by exact measurement, the cubic capacity may be assumed to be the product of the length, the breadth and the depth multiplied by 0·6 if it is evident that this formula does not give a greater capacity than that obtained by the formula set out in paragraph (1) of this Schedule.

The dimensions shall be measured in the following manner:—

Length.—From the intersection of the outside of the planking with the stem to the corresponding point at the stern post, or in the case of a square sterned boat, to the after side of the transom.

Breadth.—From the outside of the planking at the point where the breadth of the boat is greatest.

Depth.—Amidships inside the planking from the keel to the level of the gunwale, but the depth used in calculating the cubic capacity may not in any case exceed 45 per cent. of the breadth.

(3) The cubic capacity of a motorboat is obtained from the gross capacity by deducting a volume equal to that occupied by the motor and its accessories, and, when carried, the wireless telegraphy installation and searchlight with their accessories.

PART II.

DECK AREA OF LIFEBOATS OF CLASS 2.

(4) The area of the deck of a decked boat and the area within the "fixed" bulwarks of a lifeboat of Class 2 (a) shall be determined by the formula set out below or by any other method giving the same degree of accuracy.

l denotes the length in feet from the intersection of the outside of the planking with the stem to the corresponding point at the stern post;

a, b, c, d, e, denote the horizontal breadths in feet outside the planking at the points obtained by dividing l into four equal parts and sub-dividing the foremost and aftermost parts into two equal parts (a and e being the breadths at the extreme sub-divisions, c at the middle point of the length, and b and d at the intermediate points).