# The Fishing Vessels (Safety Provisions) Rules 1975, Article 77: Requirements for vessels of 45 metres in length and over but less than 75 metres in length


(1) Every vessel of 45 metres in length and over but less than 75 metres in length to which these Rules apply shall carry either:—
(a) (i) at least two lifeboats attached to davits, so arranged that there is at least one lifeboat on each side of the vessel, the lifeboats on each side of the vessel being of sufficient aggregate capacity to accommodate half the total number of persons on board the vessel; and
(ii) at least two liferafts of sufficient aggregate capacity to accommodate not less than one-and-a-half times the total number of persons on board; or
(b) (i) on each side of the vessel one or more liferafts of sufficient aggregate capacity to accommodate the total number of persons on board. Each liferaft shall be of approximately the same capacity; and
(ii) a liferaft of sufficient capacity to accommodate at least half the total number of persons on board and which can be readily placed in the water on either side of the vessel provided that this additional liferaft shall not be required where the liferafts specified in subparagraph (b)(i) above can be readily placed in the water on the opposite side of the vessel to that on which they are stowed; and
(iii) a lifeboat, Class C boat or inflatable boat capable of being launched on one side of the vessel with its equipment and a launching crew of two persons when the vessel is upright or listed up to 15° in either direction provided that any lifeboat, Class C boat or inflatable boat carried in compliance with this sub-paragraph of this Rule shall be fitted with a suitable engine.
(2) In every such vessel lifeboat davits provided for the lifeboats carried under the provisions of paragraph 1(a)(i) above shall be of the gravity type except that davits which serve a lifeboat weighing not more than 2.3 tonnes in the turning out condition may be of the luffing type.
(3) In every such vessel liferafts carried under the provisions of paragraph (1)(a)(ii) above shall be so stowed that they can be readily transferred to the water on either side of the vessel.
(4) In every such vessel where the distance from the embarkation deck to the waterline in the lightest sea-going condition exceeds 4.6 metres the liferafts carried in compliance with paragraph (1)(b)(i) above shall be of the davit launched type. At least one launching appliance shall be provided on each side of the vessel for every two rafts carried.
(5) Every such vessel shall carry:—
(a) a portable radio equipment which complies with Part I of Schedule 13 to these Rules or two portable radio equipments which comply with Part II of the said Schedule the batteries of which shall be renewed annually. Such radio equipment shall be kept in a suitable place ready to be moved into a lifeboat or a liferaft in case of emergency and in vessels where the disposition of superstructures or deckhouses is such that the main transmitter and lifeboats or liferafts are a substantial distance apart such equipment shall be kept in the vicinity of those lifeboats or liferafts which are furthest away from the main transmitter;
(b) for every person on board weighing 32 kilogrammes or more a lifejacket which shall comply with the requirements of Part I of Schedule 11 to these Rules and for every person on board weighing less than 32 kilogrammes a lifejacket which shall comply with the requirements of Part II of the said Schedule;
(c) a line-throwing appliance;
(d) at least four lifebuoys which shall comply with the following provisions:—
(i) half the lifebuoys carried shall have self-igniting lights attached. Two of the lifebuoys having such lights attached shall be provided with self activating smoke signals capable of producing smoke of a highly visible colour for at least 15 minutes;
(ii) one lifebuoy on each side of the vessel shall have attached to it a buoyant line of at least 27 metres in length but any such lifebuoy having a line attached shall not have a self-igniting light;
(iii) the two lifebuoys equipped with self-igniting lights and self-activating smoke signals shall be carried one on each side of the navigating bridge, and if reasonably practicable, so fitted as to be capable of quick release;
(e) not less than 12 parachute distress rocket signals which comply with the requirements of Schedule 18 to these Rules.

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Source: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1975/330/article/77 (the official version)
Page: https://openlegislation.uk/fishing-vessels-safety-provisions-rules-1975/article-77
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives.