Life Saving Equipment Regulations

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 The date on which a distress signal is manufactured and the lot number of the signal shall be permanently marked thereon.

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.