CONTENT:

! All the most needed texts from the SOLAS training manual !

1. Section 1 / Introduction
1.1.Musters, Drills and contingency plans
1.2.Emergency signals
2. Section 2 / Personal Protective Equipment
2.1.Lifejackets and buoyancy aids
a) Number of LifeJackets
b) Care and inspection of lifejacket
2.2.Immersion suits & anti-exposure suits
a) Quantity
b) Requirements for immersion suits & anti-exposure suits
c) Additional requirements for immersion suits
d) Care of the suits
2.3.Thermal Protective Aids
a) Care of the suits
b) Care of thermal protective aids
3. Section 3 / Survival Crafts
3.1.Main requirements according to SOLAS 1974 & 1983
a) Types of lifeboats
Open
Totally enclosed
Free-fall
Partially enclosed
b) Lifeboat propulsion
c) Lifeboat equipment
3.2.Liferafts
 SECTION1/INTRODUCTION

1.1 / Musters, drills and contingency plans

1. Each crew member must participate in at least one abandon ship drill and one fire
drill every month. These drills must be held within twenty-four hours of leaving port
if more than 25% of the crew have not taken part in drills aboard the ship in previous
month. If it's not applicable within 24 hours, then crew should be familiarized about
their duties and abandon ship procedures.
1.1.In passenger vessels abandon ship and fire drills must be held every week and so
arranged that each crew member participates in at least one abandon ship drill and
one fire drill every month.

1.2 / Emergency Signals

1. GENERAL EMERGENCY SIGNAL consists of seven or more short blasts, followed
by one long blast on the ship's whistle or siren, and, in vessels where such systems are
required, on an electrically operated bell or similar.
On hearing the general emergency signal the crew (and passengers) must proceed to
their assembly or muster stations and carry out the actions specified in the muster list.
2. OTHER EMERGENCY SIGNALS may include manually or automatically activated
fire alarms, signals not requiring the muster of passengers or the whole crew, MOB
alerts, etc. These other signals may be accompanied by the general emergency signal
sounded on the whistle or siren.
3. ABANDON SHIP SIGNAL order is used at the Master's direction and may be given
by a signal or by word of mouth, but arrangements must be made to ensure that
everyone on board, including those, win emergency parties in remote locations will
receive it. If the abandon ship order is by a signal it must be not able to be confused
with any other signal
 SECTION2/PERSONALPROTECTIVEEQUIPMENT

2.1 / Lifejackets and buoyancy aids

General requirements for SOLAS lifejackets:
Support in the water a fully clothed person
In less than five seconds turn an unconscious person in the water from any position to
one where the mouth is at least 120 mm clear of the water with the body inclined
backwards at an angle of not less than 20 from the vertical. A child lifejacket is
only required to lift the mouth clear of the water by an appropriate
distance.
No have its buoyancy reduced by more than 5% after twenty-four hours
submerged in fresh water.
Be so designed that someone unfamiliar with the lifejacket can don it
unaided within one minute. It must be clearly capable of being donned only
the correct way, and, as far as practicable, may not be donned incorrectly. It
must be comfortable to wear.
Allow to wearer to jump from at least 4.5m into water without injury, and
without dislodging or damaging lifejacket
Not continue burning or melting after being totally enveloped in a fire for a
period of two seconds
In case of child lifejacket, be marked with the height or weight range for
which the lifejacket is applicable
Be fitted with a whistle.
Be of a highly visible color (in the case of inflatable lifejackets the color
requirement refers to the inflated lifejacket only)

Inflatable lifejackets:
In addition to the above listed general requirements a SOLAS lifejacket
which depends on inflatable buoyancy must:
Not have less than two separate compartments.
Inflate automatically on immersion, be provided with a device to manually
inflate inflation, and be capable of being inflated by mouth.

NUMBER OF LIFEJACKETS:
For SOLAS vessels:
One for each person on board
Plus lifejackets for person on watch (e.g. bridge, engine control room and other
manned watch stations) stowed at watch positions
Plus lifejackets for use at remotely located survival craft positions

Additional requirements for passenger ships:

Plus child lifejackets for at least 10% of the total number of passengers on board or one
lifejacket for each child, whichever is the greater number
Plus an additional 5% of the total number person on board. These lifejackets are to be
conspicuously stowed in places on deck or at the muster stations

CARE AND INSPECTION OF LIFEJACKETS:

Regularly check that any tie tapes, straps and buckles are in good order and securely
attached; make sure that any stitching is sound and that any welded or glued seams are
closed; the retro-reflective tape, whistle and light must be securely attached; and the light
battery in date.
If the lifejacket requires cleaning use only lukewarm fresh water and mild soap.
Lifejackets with an automatic inflation mechanism can be only rinsed in water if the
mechanism is deactivated. Do not use detergents, bleach, or cleaning fluids to clean
lifejacket and do not place it in a washing machines or tumble dryer. Allow the lifejacket to
dry normally.

Inflatable lifejackets are normally serviced once a year, but should be inspected at
more frequent intervals. To service an inflatable lifejacket:
Remove the gas cylinders. Check that the seals are not pierced and check for sighs of
corrosion. Weigh the cylinder and compare the weight with the gross weight marked
on the cylinder.
For automatic inflation lifejackets check that the automatic capsules are still operative
and are not clogged with dirt.
Examine the firing heads and test their operation by pulling the manual inflation cord
to see that the firing pin travels freely and that both pin and lever return freely.
Inspection of the automatic inflation mechanism will vary according to the
manufacturer. Consult the instructions appropriate to the type of lifejacket in use.
Check the air holding properties of the lifejacket by orally inflating it and leaving it
overnight (in a consistent temperature). If air does occur then deliver the lifejacket to
the manufacturers' agent for repair.

2.2 / Immersion suits & anti-exposure suits

The suit either may be made from an insulated material (to reduce the rate at which
body heat is lost) or uninsulated depending on the area of operation of ship and the demands
of the regulatory authority.
Immersion suit that meet the requirements for lifejackets with respect to flotation,
righting moments and attachments may be also be considered a lifejacket. Normally
however, it is necessary to wear a lifejacket over the immersion suit, care being taken that the
two are compatible.

QUANTITY:
The number of immersion suits or anti-exposure suits to be carried out is as follows:
one for each member of a rescue boat crew
one for each member of a fast rescue boat crew
one for each member of the operating crew of an open lifeboat, but not less than three
suits for each open lifeboat
one for each person assigned to the marine evacuation system party

On cargo vessels of less than 85m in length (other than tankers) that have no davit
launched survival craft then each person on board must be provided with an immersion suit.

REQUIREMENTS FOR IMMERSION SUITS & ANTI-EXPOSURE SUITS:

Without assistance, it can be unpacked and donned within two minutes.
The wearer must be able to climb up and down a 5m vertical ladder
Without assistance the wearer must be able to correctly don a lifejacket.
 It will not sustain burning or continue to melt after being totally enveloped in a fire for
a period of two seconds.
After jumping 4.5m into the water the suit must not be damaged or dislodged.
That it protects its wearer from rapidly losing body heat
The wearer must be able to complete normal abandonment duties
An uninsulated immersion suit is to be marked with instructions that it is to be worn
in conjunction with warm clothing

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR IMMERSION SUITS:

It will cover the whole body excepting the face
There is an arrangement to minimize the effect of free air in the leg of the suit (this is
so that there is not excessive buoyancy in the legs causing them to be elevated above
the body in the water)
The wearer must be able ti swim a short distance an board a survival craft
After jumping 4.5m into the water there must not be undue ingress of water into the
suit.

CARE OF THE SUITS:

Take the suit out its storage bag and try it on. After wearing in the water, clean the suit
thoroughly using lukewarm fresh water. A mild soap also be used. The suit should be
allowed th drip dry.
Check all zippers for smooth operation. Any malfunctioning zipper should be
replaced. Only the manufacturer or his authorized agent should make this repair.
Lubricate the zipper with paraffin wax or other approved grease.
Glue tears with the manufacturers recommended repair cement.
Store with zipper in the open position, with any straps fastened but loose and rescue
harness (if fitted) undone.
Lay suit flat and roll from feet to head cross arms return to bag. Alternatively the
suit may be stored on a hanger.
Store in a cool, dry area

It's recommended that immersion suits are inspected by an authorized service station
every twelve months.

2.3 / Thermal Protective Aids

TPA Thermal Protective Aids not are in-water garment!
Because TPA's are usually supplied individually in sealed bags one or two spares
should be carried for demonstration and practice purposes.

QUANTITIES:
Location Minimum number of TPA's required
Open Lifeboat 100% of the lifeboat capacity. This may be
reduced by the number of immersion suits
provided for the operating crew.
Partially enclosed lifeboat 10% of the lifeboat / liferaft / rescue boat
Enclosed lifeboat capacity or two, whichever is the greater
Liferaft (with canopy)
Rescue boat
Fast rescue boat
Open-Reversible Liferaft (non-SOLAS) Not required (except Sweden)

Ro-Ro Emergency Equipment Locker A total of six TPA's and/or blankets

(UK Flagged passenger ro-ro vessels
only)

CARE OF THERMAL PROTECTIVE AIDS:

Thermal Protective Aids are normally individually packed and often vacuum packed.
They are very low cost items and repair is not generally economically viable. The units
should be visually inspected on a regular basis and if the package is found to be damaged the
TPA should be replaced.
 SECTION3/SURVIVALCRAFTS

3.1 / MAIN REQUIREMENTS ACCORDING TO SOLAS 1974 & 1983

When fully loaded in calm water they must be capable of maintaining positive
stability in an upright position when holed in one place below waterline (assuming that there
is no damage or loss of buoyancy material). Lifeboats must be strong enough to enable them
to be lowered into the water when fully loaded, and must be capable of being launched and
towed when the ship is making headway at a speed of five knots in calm water.
Most lifeboats are constructed from glass reinforced plastic (GRP) although some
older boats may be manufactured from wood, aluminum or galvanized steel. Under the side
benches each lifeboat is fitted with internal buoyancy tanks, excepting GRP boats which
incorporate foam buoyancy injected in during the manufacturing process.
The maximum capacity of an oared boat is 60 persons, that of a mechanically
propelled boats is 100 persons, and that of a motor boat is 150 persons.

TYPES OF LIFEBOAT:
Totally enclosed lifeboats have been required on all ships constructed after July 1986,
although passenger ships may fit 'partially enclosed' boats. Vessels constructed before July
1986 still may have open lifeboats.

OPEN LIFEBOATS: skipped due to plainness of lifeboat.

TOTALLY ENCLOSED LIFEBOAT:
Are designed to protect the occupants from heat and cold and are required for all
vessels constructed from July 1986, excepting that passenger vessels on short or long
international voyages may be provided with 'partially enclosed' or 'self-righting partially
enclosed' lifeboats.
Features of Totally Enclosed Lifeboats (from July 1986):
Access is through hatches which are watertight when closed. The hatches must be
large enough and suitable for recovering injured and unconscious persons from the
water and for handling stretchers.
The design of lifeboat must allow launching and recovery operations to be performed
without any person having to leave the enclosure, and for this purpose fore and aft
access hatches are provided (i.e. to give access to the lifting hooks, etc)
Although enclosed it must be possible to row the boat.
If the boat is capsized with all the hatches secured it must be self-righting. In order to
achieve this each occupant is provided with a full harness and some head protection,
so that in the event of capsize the occupants remain in their places.
The exterior will be if a highly visible color and the interior of a suitable color.
Handrails are provided for moving around the exterior of the lifeboat and to aid
boarding and disembarking.
All persons must be able to attain their seats without having to climb other thwarts or
other obstructions.

Totally enclosed lifeboats constructed before July 1986 may not have all the features
listed above.
All totally enclosed lifeboats are fitted with an engine.

FREE-FALL LIFEBOATS:
Are a type of totally enclosed lifeboat which may be carried at the stern of the cargo
vessel (over 85m) in lieu of more conventional arrangement of having lifeboats on either side
of ship. It must take positive headway immediately after water entry and the occupants must
be protected from injury and harm that may be caused by the acceleration of the free-fall
lifeboat launching. To prevent accidental or premature release of the lifeboat safe-guards are
built into the release mechanisms which may only be operated from within the lifeboat. It
must be possible to test the launching system without actually releasing lifeboat. Free-fall
lifeboats also have a secondary mode of launching by wire fall.
Vessels which are fitted with a free-fall boat at the stern instead of lifeboats each side
are required to carry davit-launched liferafts on at least one side and standard throwover
liferafts on the other side (unless the davit-launched liferafts are fitted both sides).
PARTIALLY ENCLOSED LIFEBOATS:
Are generally comply with almost every requirements for totally enclosed lifeboats.
The major difference is that instead of having a complete rigid enclosure rigid cover extend
at least 20% of length of the lifeboat from the stem and 20% from the stern only. Between the
bow and stern rigid covers there are permanently attached foldable, insulated canopies,
which together will the rigid end covers completely enclose the lifeboat in a weatherproof
shelter.
The enclosure formed by the rigid covers and foldable canopy must ensure that:
The launch and recovery operation can be performed without any person having to
leave the enclosure
There are at both ends and on each side adjustable closing arrangements, operable
from inside and outside, to permit ventilation but exclude seawater, wind and cold.
Even with the canopies closed sufficient air is admitted at all times.
The launch and recovery operation can be performed without any person having to
leave the enclosure.
There are at both ends and on each side adjustable closing arrangements, operable
from inside and outside, to permit ventilation but exclude seawater, wind and cold.
Even with the canopies closed sufficient air is admitted at all times.

LIFEBOAT PROPULSION:
Engines must be capable of being readily started in cold conditions, run reliably in
extremes of temperature and operate properly even with a 10 list and 10 trim. The engine

LIFEBOAT EQUIPMENT:

1986 and subsequent regulation

(all lifeboats enclosed / partially enclosed with motor)
Oars (buoyant) Sufficient to make headway. None in free-fall boats.
Crutches 1 set (or equivalent). None in free-fall boat.
Rudder / Tiller 1 / 1 (or suitable means of steering)
Compass & Binnacle 1
Sea anchor & line 1
Fixed painter 1
Painter (quick release) 1
Searchlight 1
Radar reflector 1 unless SART stowed in boat
Manual bilge pump 1 if boat is not self-bailing
Plugs 1 automatic drain valve with cap or plug
Bailer 1 (buoyant)
Buckets 2
Exterior handholds Handholds or becketed line above the waterline +
handholds or underside of hull if lifeboat is not self-righting
Locker for small items Sufficient
Axe 2
Jacknife 1
Buoyant rescue quoit & line 2
Parachute red rocket 4
Red hand flare 6
Buoyant orange smoke markers 2
Torch and batteries 1 (with Morse capability)
Spare torch bulb & batteries 1 set
Heliograph 1
Whistle 1 (or equivalent)
Rescue signal card 1
First aid kit 1
Anti-seasick tablets Sufficient for 48 hours
Seasick bag 1 per person
Fishing line / hooks 1 set
Survival Manual 1
Thermal protective aid 10% of boat capacity or 2 (the greater)
Immersion suit 1 per operating crew
Food (per person) 10,000 kj
Water (per person) 3 liters
or 2 liters + 1 via desalinization
or 1 liter + 2 by manual reverse osmosis
Water dipper 1
Rainwater collection facility 1
Drinking cup 1 (graduated)
Tin opener 3
Fire extinguishing equipment Suitable for extinguishing oil fires
Exterior lights 1
Interior light 1 (not oil)
Tools for minor engine 1 set
adjustments
Fuel Sufficient for 24 hours
Vessels on trades of certain natures and duration may be exempt from carrying some items
3.2 / LIFERAFTS
Acc2SOLAS these drills should be held every:
1.2. ONE MONTH:
a) two abandon ship drills
b) two fire drills
c) one SOPEP
d) serious injury in enclosed spaces
2.2.THREE MONTHS:
a) MOB
b) Lifeboat maneuvering in the water
c) emergency steering
d) collision, heavy weather, ME fault, cargo shifting, etc...
e) security drills