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Life Saving Equipment Regulations

Version of the schedule from 2006-10-19 to 2023-12-19:


SCHEDULE III(Section 121)Ships Distress Signals

(For lifebuoy lights see Schedule XIV)

  • 1 A Type A distress signal may be substituted for either a Type B distress signal or Type C distress signal and a Type B distress signal may be substituted for a Type C distress signal.

    • 2 (1) A Type A distress signal shall be capable of producing a single bright red star that is projected to the height required by subsection (3) by a rocket and that burns while falling, its rate of fall being controlled by a parachute to 4.6 m/s.

    • (2) The star referred to in subsection (1) shall burn with a luminosity of not less than 25 000 cd for a period of not less than 40 s.

    • (3) Where a Type A distress signal is fired approximately vertically, the star and the parachute shall be ejected at or before the top of the trajectory at a height of not less than 230 m and the star shall burn out at a height of not less than 45 m from seal level.

    • (4) A Type A distress signal shall be capable of functioning in accordance with subsections (1) and (2) when fired at an angle of 45° to the horizontal.

    • (5) The parachute referred to in subsection (1) shall be attached to the star by a flexible fireproof harness.

    • (6) The rocket referred to in subsection (1) shall be ignited by a suitable external ignition method.

    • (7) The ignition device and external surface of the rocket referred to in subsection (1) shall be suitably waterproofed and the entire Type A distress signal, including the ignition and the rocket, shall be packed in a waterproof container.

    • 3 (1) A Type B distress signal shall be capable of producing, in rapid succession and at intervals not greater than 15 s, two or more red stars that are projected to a height of not less than 90 m.

    • (2) Each star referred to in subsection (1) shall burn with a luminosity of not less than 5 000 cd for a period of not less than 4 s, and shall burn out before touching the sea.

    • (3) A Type B distress signal shall

      • (a) contain a firing device capable of throwing the stars automatically; or

      • (b) be provided with a cartridge-firing device that requires loading for each star.

    • (4) Where a Type B distress signal contains a cartridge-firing device, the ship shall carry a sufficient number of cartridges to produce the number of stars required by subsection (1).

    • (5) A Type B distress signal, including the firing device and the cartridges, if any, shall be suitably waterproofed and packed in a waterproof container.

    • 4 (1) A Type C distress signal shall consist of a flare that is

      • (a) capable of producing

        • (i) a bright red light having a luminosity of not less than 15 000 cd for a period of at least 1 min,

        • (ii) a bright red light having a luminosity of not less than 500 cd for a period of at least 2 min, or

        • (iii) a bright red light having such luminosity less than 15 000 cd but not less than 500 cd for such period greater than 1 min as is satisfactory to the Board; and

      • (b) sheathed to prevent any dripping of burning material.

    • (2) The external surface of each Type C distress signal shall be suitably waterproofed and each signal shall be packed in a waterproof container.

  • 5 A distress signal and its appliances shall be considered as suitably waterproofed if they are capable of functioning properly after immersion in water for 1 minute.

  • 6 Every distress signal shall be permanently marked with the month and year of manufacture, as well as its lot number.

  • 7 The instructions for operating a distress signal shall be permanently marked thereon in both official languages or the signal shall carry a diagram clearly showing the manner of operation of the signal.

  • 8 No distress signal shall be considered as meeting the requirements of this Schedule if four years or more have elapsed since the date of manufacture.

  • SOR/80-685, ss. 22 to 24
  • SOR/96-218, s. 36
  • SOR/2001-179, s. 56
  • SOR/2006-256, s. 14

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