Life Saving Equipment Regulations (C.R.C., c. 1436)

143. (1) Survival craft that require launching devices shall be stowed as close to accommodation and service areas as possible.

(2) Launching stations shall be located so that survival craft may be launched

• (a) safely, taking into account the clearance from the propeller and steeply overhanging portions of the hull; and

• (b) insofar as it is possible, down the straight side of the ship, unless the survival craft are specially designed for free-fall launching.

(3) Where launching stations are positioned forward, they shall be located abaft the collision bulkhead in a sheltered position.

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

(5) Every survival craft shall be stowed

• (a) as near the waterline as is safe and practicable;

• (b) so that, when in the embarkation position, it is not less than 2 m above the waterline when the ship is loaded with its full complement and equipment, under 10° of trim and listing by the lesser of 20° and the angle at which the ship’s weatherdeck edge becomes submerged;

• (c) in a state of continuous readiness so that two crew members may carry out preparation for embarking and launching in less than five minutes; and

• (d) in such a position as to prevent flooding by any discharge from the ship when the survival craft is being lowered to the water.

(6) Paragraph (5)(b) does not apply to an inflatable life raft that does not require launching devices.

144. (1) Lifeboats for lowering down the side of the ship shall be stowed

• (a) on ships under 80 m in length, as far forward of the propeller as is practicable;

• (b) on cargo ships 80 m or over but under 120 m in length, so that the after end of the lifeboat is not less than the length of the lifeboat forward of the propeller; and

• (c) on passenger ships 80 m or over in length and cargo ships 120 m or over in length, so that the after end of the lifeboat is not less than 1.5 times the length of the lifeboat forward of the propeller.

(2) Lifeboats in their stowed location shall be protected from damage by heavy seas insofar as it is practicable.

(3) Lifeboats shall be stowed attached to their launching devices.

(4) Lifeboats shall be capable of being launched, where necessary utilizing painters, with the ship making headway at speeds of up to five knots in calm water.

145. (1) Life rafts shall be stowed so as to permit manual release from their securing arrangements.

(2) Life rafts that are designed to be davit-launched shall be

• (a) stowed within reach of their lifting hooks; or

• (b) provided with a means of transfer that is not rendered inoperable by

  • (i) the ship’s motion,

  • (ii) a power failure,

  • (iii) a list of 20° of the ship, or

  • (iv) a trim of 10° of the ship.