Life Saving Apparatus

Immersion Suits
The important factors in the use of immersion suits are:
1) Quickly and easily donned
2) It protects wearer from rapidly losing bodyheat
3) That the wearer remains buoyant, face up in water (this may require a life jacket to be
worn depending on type of suit)
Ensure the suit is correctly fastened and undamaged before entering the water, particularly if the
suit is loose fitting, as it will fill with water and render wearer immobile or submerged.

Care of Immersion Suits

 After wearing in water, clean with lukewarm water and mild soap. Allow to drip dry.
 Check all zippers for smooth operation.
 Lubricate zippers with paraffin wax or other approved grease
 Glue tears with approved cement
 Store with zipper open
 To store, lay suit flat, roll from feet to head, put in bag
 Store in cool, dry area.

It is recommended that suits be inspected by authorised service station every 12 months.

Thermal Protective Aids (TPA’s)

A TPA is a type of body warming bag, with or without sleeves. The material, provided it remains
dry, will reflect about 87% of radiated body heat.
Persons suffering from hypothermia may be placed in a TPA. Alternatively, persons may be
placed in a TPA to prevent hypothermia.
If the TPA is large enough, a warmer person can be inside with the casualty, whose body heat
will assist the casualty.
When wearing a TPA in a survival craft, a life jacket should also be worn.
Rescue Boat
Must be between 3.5m and 6.5m and be able to travel at least 6 knots.
Equipment required by SOLAS:
o Buoyant paddles
o Buoyant bailer
o Compass
o Drogue
o Painter attached to a release device
o Buoyant line at least 50m long for towing
o Torch with spare batteries and bulb
o Whistle
o Waterproof first aid kit
o 2 buoyant rescue quoits
o Searchlight
o Radar reflector
o 2 x TPA’s
o Buoyant safety knife
o 2 x sponges
o Pump (inflatable boats only)
o Repair kit
o Portable fire extinguisher

Liferafts
Launching by hand
1) Ensure painter attached to strong point, pull painter out about 2m from container
2) Release lashing by releasing Senhouse Slip
3) Ensure clear overside ( nobody in water etc)
4) Throw raft clear of vessel side
5) Pull out remainder of painter and give sharp tug to operate inflation mechanism
6) When inflated (10 – 30s) bring to boats side
7) Board raft ( try to avoid entering water if possible)
8) When survivors aboard, cut painter and paddle clear of vessel.
Hydrostatic Release Units (HRU’s)
HRU’s are designed to automatically free inflatable liferafts after they have become submerged.
How the unit works:
1) Liferaft goes down with vessel
2) At a depth between 1.5m and 3.7m, the lashing strap is released, the painter is held to the
vessel by the weak link.
3) As the liferaft floats free, the painter is pulled out and will inflate the raft.
4) The weak link will break due to the buoyancy of the liferaft

Liferaft Installation
When stowing, 4 initial factors are taken into account:
1) Is it the best position for easy and unrestricted launching over the side
2) Is there a danger of contamination from smoke, funnel sparks, oil, heat, trapped water or
flooding
3) Does it obstruct a passage way
4) Can it float free without obstruction/

Liferafts can be arranged in groups on an inclined ramp ready to roll over the side, or singly in a
cradle.
The liferaft should be positioned with “TOP” uppermost and drain holes at the bottom (important
when stowed on inclined ramps).
Posters illustrating launching and boarding of rafts should be displayed adjacent to the stowage
position.

A SOLAS raft is constructed from a rubber compound or/ and a synthetic material. There are 2
separate buoyancy chambers or tubes, either of which is designed to be capable of supporting the
complete raft with all its emergency equipment and its full complement of survivors.

To assist in providing protection against adverse temperatures, the floor is doubled and is capable
of being inflated. The canopy is also doubled with an air gap between the inner and outer walls.
The canopy, coloured orange, has rain water collection points and lights are fitted inside and
out.

Grablines are becketed around the inside and outside of the raft and the entrances are provided
with means of assisting survivors aboard.

A Davit Launched Liferaft incorporates all the features of the throwover raft with the addition
of webbing arrangement to allow it to be suspended from a davit hook with a full complement of
survivors..

Immediate Action on Entering Liferaft

1) Cut painter, clear vessel
2) Look out for other survivors
3) Ensure drogue streamed
4) Close entrances
5) Read Survival Instructions.

Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB)

Mariners in distress globally, use a 406 MHz EPIRB to transmit an emergency signal to the
SARSAT/ COSPAS satellites.
The emergency signal is received by the satellites, which re transmit the signal to a ground
receiving station called the Local User Terminal (LUT)
This LUT receives the signal which is processed and the location of the mariner in distress is
recorded. The LUT passes the information to the Mission Control Centre (MCC) which sends the
location to the Rescue Coordination Centre (RCC), which then sends out SAR Forces.

When reaching the pre- adjusted release depth, approx 2 – 3m water pressure, the EPIRB will
release.
When the beacon is released, its weight distribution will cause it to invert and proceed to the
surface. The mercury switch in conjunction with the electronic seawater contact will start the
transmission.
Alternatively, the beacon can be started manually by turning the switch to the send position.
Lamps indicate full transmission on all frequencies.

Search and Rescue Transponder (SART) (9GHz X- Band)

The function of a SART is to indicate the position of a distress situation on a radar.
SART signals are similar in appearance to RACON signals- a series of 12 dots starting at the
ships position and leading to the SART position. When very close to the SART position, the
signal appears as a series of circles on the radar screen.
SARTS should be run through their self test procedure once a month.
Ideal height when using 1m. About 8 hours battery life once detected, 96 hours standby. Range to
a vessel 4 0 6 miles, to an aircraft 20 – 60 miles.