The UK Club’s ship inspectors frequently find incorrectly rigged lifebuoys onships visited

Technical BulletinNUMBER 21 2006

UK P&I CLUB

Lifebouys

Lifebuoys should be readily available and equallydistributed on both sides of the ship, with at least one inthe vicinity of the stern. All should be capable of beingrapidly cast loose and at least half should be providedwith self-igniting lights. Apart from those on the bridgewings it is recommended that the lifebuoys shouldweigh 2.5 kg. (SOLAS minimum weight).

The bridge-wing lifebuoys should be capable of quickrelease and have self-activating smoke and light signalsattached. To facilitate quick release they should weigha minimum of 4 kg.

On some Japanese-built ships it may be found that theyare equipped with separate light and smoke signals:these lifebuoys would normally be 2.5 kg.

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Smoke float wrongly rigged inboard of bridge wing

Lifebuoy and smoke float correctly rigged

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Wrong: Lifebuoy rigged with light & line

Correct: Lifebuoy with line

UK P&I CLUBIS MANAGEDBY THOMASMILLER

For further information please contact:Loss Prevention Department, Thomas Miller P&I LtdTel: +44 20 7204 2307. Fax +44 20 7283 6517Email: lossprevention.ukclub@thomasmiller.com

At least one lifebuoy on each side of the ship shall befitted with a buoyant lifeline, the length of which shouldbe more than twice the height from its stowage positionto the waterline when the ship is in ballast condition (or30 metres whichever is the greater). The lines shouldbe non-kinking, have a diameter greater than 8mm, anda breaking strength of more than 5kN. These lines areoften found tightly coiled and bound, meaning timewasted freeing up and deploying the lifebuoy. The lifeline should be secured to the body of the lifebuoy andnot to the grab rope.

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Lifebuoy with line thrower

Although it is not a specific requirement of theregulations, we suggest a sensible location for themwould be towards the after part of the vessel. Ourinspectors when visiting ships at anchor, especially inthe Mississippi river, often see lifebuoys sensiblydeployed, with the line attached to the ship’s rail a littledistance aft of the gangway, so that the lifebuoy issuspended just above the water. Anyone unfortunateenough to fall from the gangway may therefore be ableto grab the lifebuoy as he is swept astern.

Lifebuoy deployed at gangway

Another mistake commonly made is to have a floatingline attached to the lifebuoy at the pilot station. TheInternational Marine Pilots Association requires, at theboarding station, a lifebuoy with a light attached and aheaving line coiled aft of the bulwark ladder. Thisheaving line is to bring the pilot’s bag onboard andshould be free from the lifebuoy. If the pilot should fallinto the water, the pilot boat will recover him and anyfloating line attached to a lifebuoy could foul thepropeller.

Further guidance can be found in SOLAS Chapter Vregulation 23.7.1

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Wrong: Lifebuoy rigged with line at pilot boarding