Article 96 Stowage and handling of lifeboats and Class C boats
In every vessel to which these Rules apply subject to the provisions of paragraphs (2) and (3) below every lifeboat attached to a set of davits, other than a lifeboat which is carried as an alternative to a Class C boat, shall be so arranged that even under unfavourable conditions of trim and of up to 15 degrees of list either way it can be put into the water when loaded with its full complement of persons and equipment required by these Rules.
In every such vessel, every lifeboat which is carried as an alternative to a Class C boat and every Class C boat which is attached to a davit or set of davits other than a mechanically controlled singte-arm davit shall be so arranged that when loaded with its equipment required by these Rules and a launching crew of two persons it can be put into the water on one side of the vessel when the vessel is upright or is listed to 15 degrees towards that side.
In every such vessel every lifeboat or Class C boat attached to a mechanically controlled single-arm davit shall be so arranged that when loaded with its equipment required by these Rules and a launching crew of two persons it can be put into the water on one side of the vessel when the vessel is upright or is listed up to 15 degrees towards that side, except that in vessels which carry a lifeboat in compliance with Rule 78(1)(a)(i) of these Rules the lifeboat shall be so arranged that when loaded with its required equipment and a launching crew of two persons it can be put into the water on either side of the vessel or, if the vessel has a list, on the side to which the vessel is listed.
In every such vessel every lifeboat or Class C boat carried in compliance with Rules 77(1)(b)(iii) or 78(1)(b)(i) of these Rules, if not attached to a davit or set of davits, shall be attached to a device which shall be provided primarily for the purpose of launching the boat and which shall be capable of putting the boat into the water on one side of the vessel when it is loaded with its equipment required by these Rules and a launching crew of two persons and when the vessel is upright or is listed up to 15 degrees towards that side.
In every such vessel not more than one lifeboat or Class C boat shall be attached to any set of davits, davit or other means of launching.
In every such vessel lifeboats shall only be stowed on more than one deck on condition that proper measures are taken to prevent lifeboats on a lower deck being fouled by those stowed on a deck above.
In every such vessel lifeboats shall not be placed in the bows of the vessel, and they shall be situated in such positions as to ensure safe launching having particular regard to clearance from the propeller and steeply overhanging portions of the hull aft, and to ensure so far as is practicable that they can be launched down the straight side of the vessel.
In every such vessel davits, where fitted, shall be suitably placed.
In every such vessel davits, winches, falls, blocks and all other launching gear provided in accordance with these Rules shall comply with the requirements of Schedule 15 to these Rules.
In every such vessel all lifeboats or Class C boats attached to davits shall be served by wire rope falls and winches in the following cases:—
when they are attached to gravity davits; or
when they are attached to mechanically controlled single-arm davits; or
when the weight of the attached lifeboat or Class C boat in the lowering condition exceeds 2.3 tonnes.
In every such vessel in which lifeboats or Class C boats are served by wire rope falls, winches shall be provided for handling such falls.
In every such vessel where davits are recovered by action of the falls by power, safety devices shall be fitted which will automatically cut off the power before the davits come against the stops and ensure that the wire rope falls or davits are not over-stressed.
In every such vessel to facilitate the launching of lifeboats against a list of 15 degrees, skates or other suitable means shall be provided for any lifeboat stowed under davits which are of such strength that the lifeboat can be lowered with its full complement of persons and its equipment required by these Rules.
In every such vessel means shall be provided for bringing the lifeboats, which are required to be capable of being lowered in the fully loaded condition, against the vessel's side and for holding them there for the safe embarkation of persons.
In every such vessel other than a vessel in which the lifeboat or Class C boat is attached to a mechanically controlled single-arm davit, the davits shall be fitted with a wire rope span so positioned that when the boat is in the lowering position the span is as near as practicable over the centre line of the boat. There shall be at least two lifelines fitted to the span and the lifelines shall be long enough to reach the water with the vessel at her lightest seagoing draught and listed to 15 degrees either way.
In every such vessel lifeboats and Class C boats attached to davits shall have the falls ready for service and the falls shall be at least long enough to reach the water with the vessel at her lightest sea-going draught and listed to 15 degrees either way. Means shall be provided for detaching the lifeboats or Class C boats from the falls. Lower fall blocks shall be fitted with a suitable ring or long link for attaching to the sling hooks, unless disengaging gear complying with the requirements of Schedule 16 to these Rules is fitted. The points of attachment of the lifeboats and Class C boats to the falls shall be at such height above the gunwale as to ensure stability when lowering the lifeboats or Class C boats.
In every such vessel when a lifeboat is attached to any set of davits, davit, or other means of launching not of sufficient strength that the lifeboat can be safely lowered into the water when loaded with its full complement of persons and equipment required by these Rules under the conditions of Trim and List specified in these Rules, or when any Class C boat not of sufficient strength that it can be safely lowered into the water when loaded with its full complement of persons and equipment required by these Rules is attached to any set of davits, davit, or other means of launching, each davit or other means of launching shall be conspicuously marked with a red band 150 millimetres wide painted on a white background.