What lifesaving equipment must every cargo ship carry?

SOLAS Chapter III Reg. 31 requires every cargo ship to carry totally enclosed lifeboats with capacity for the entire crew on each side (or one freefall lifeboat aft + a rescue boat), liferafts to accommodate 100% of crew on each side, lifebuoys appropriate to the size of vessel, immersion suits for every person, lifejackets for every person plus 5%, line-throwing appliance, twelve rocket parachute flares, an EPIRB, two SARTs (one if under 500 GT), and three two-way radiotelephones.

How often must lifeboats be launched and lowered in drills?

SOLAS III Reg. 19.3.3 requires lifeboats to be lowered and recovered at least once every three months during an abandon-ship drill; one boat from each side is rotated. Freefall lifeboats are launched into the water at least once every six months, or simulated launches may substitute under MSC.1/Circ.1206/Rev.1 conditions. Annual on-load release gear inspection is required.

How long does an immersion suit certificate last?

The immersion suit itself does not 'expire' but must be inspected at intervals not exceeding 12 months and pressure-tested at intervals not exceeding 3 years (SOLAS III Reg. 20 + LSA Code Ch. II 2.3). Damaged or non-buoyant suits must be removed from service. Crew should don their suit during quarterly drills.

What is the difference between an EPIRB and a SART?

An EPIRB (Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacon) on 406 MHz is float-free, hydrostatic-released, transmits the vessel MMSI and GPS position via Cospas-Sarsat satellites; one carried on every cargo ship and passenger ship. A SART (Search and Rescue Transponder) is a 9 GHz radar transponder mounted in or near each survival craft; activates on receiving an X-band radar signal and produces a 12-dot return on the searching vessel's radar at up to 8 nm.

What is the LSA Code?

International Life-Saving Appliances Code, IMO Resolution MSC.48(66), made mandatory under SOLAS Reg. III/3.10. Sets the technical specifications for every piece of lifesaving equipment — buoyancy, illumination, retroreflective tape, materials, performance criteria. Manufacturers must hold LSA Code type approval; equipment is marked with the type-approval certificate number.

Lifesaving equipment — SOLAS III + LSA Code

SOLAS Chapter III sets the carriage requirements; the International Life-Saving Appliances (LSA) Code, IMO Resolution MSC.48(66), defines the technical performance for each piece of equipment. Together they govern how much you carry, how it must perform, and how often you exercise the crew on it.

Carriage by ship type

Cargo ships ≥500 GT (Reg. 31). Totally enclosed lifeboats with 100% capacity each side, or one stern freefall lifeboat + rescue boat. Liferafts 100% capacity each side. EPIRB, two SARTs (one if under 500 GT), three portable VHFs.
Cargo ships <500 GT (Reg. 31). May substitute lifeboats with liferafts of 200% capacity (100% each side); rescue boat still required.
Passenger ships (Reg. 21). Survival-craft capacity for 125% of passengers and crew; partially enclosed lifeboats permitted on short international voyages; davit-launched MES (marine evacuation system) common on ro-ro.
Tankers (additional Reg. 16). Totally enclosed lifeboats with self-contained air system or fire-protected variant on tank-deck-launching arrangements.

Personal equipment

Lifejackets — one per person plus 5%, plus enough for every watchkeeping station and at all remote work locations. SOLAS III Reg. 7. LSA Code 2.2 specifies buoyancy ≥150 N adult, integrated whistle, light, retroreflective tape.
Immersion suits — one per person on every cargo ship. LSA Code 2.3 sets thermal performance: ≥6 °C water for at least one hour with skin-temp drop <2 °C. Inspect annually, pressure test at most every 3 years.
Anti-exposure suits — for rescue boat and FRB crew on watch.
Lifebuoys — number depends on vessel length, with at least two on the bridge fitted with self-igniting lights and self-activating smoke signals (one each side); one with a buoyant lifeline; minimum half marked with retroreflective tape.

Distress and locating

EPIRB (Cospas-Sarsat 406 MHz) — float-free, hydrostatic-release. Battery typically 5 years; check on the EPIRB body. Annual self-test by the crew; biennial shore service test.
SART (9 GHz radar) — two on cargo ships ≥500 GT (one each side), one on smaller. Battery 5 years standby + 8 hours operating. Stowed in or near survival craft.
Pyrotechnics — twelve rocket parachute flares on each ship. Stowed near or on bridge in watertight container. Replaced every three years (manufactured-by date).
Line-throwing appliance — projectile + line capable of reaching ≥230 m. SOLAS III Reg. 18.

Drills and surveys

· Abandon-ship drill — once every month for cargo ships, once a week if all crew did not participate. SOLAS III Reg. 19.3.
· Lifeboat launch — one boat per side launched into water at least every three months; freefall every six months (or simulated under MSC.1/Circ.1206/Rev.1).
· Annual survey — onload release gear, davits, hooks, painters, falls. ASR by attending surveyor.
· Five-yearly thorough exam — all life-saving appliances at renewal special survey.

Common PSC findings

· Expired pyrotechnics or EPIRB battery.
· Lifeboat onload release gear maintenance overdue.
· Liferaft hydrostatic release unit (HRU) overdue.
· Drill records inconsistent with the OLB.
· Immersion suit pressure test overdue or suit damaged.

Sources: SOLAS Chapter III (Life-saving appliances and arrangements); LSA Code (IMO Resolution MSC.48(66)); MSC.1/Circ.1206/Rev.1 (lifeboat drill alternatives); MSC.1/Circ.1331 (hydrostatic release units). See also distress procedures, fire-fighting systems, LSA Code, EPIRB.

Last verified 4 months ago