Tag: LIFE RAFT & REGULATIONS

There are mainly two type of Life raft, Rigid and Inflatable life raftQ1. what are the regulation about Life Raft?SOLAS REGULATION for Life Raft Inflatable life raft contain CO2 Gas inflation cylinder. CO2 gas containing small amount percentage of NITROGEN gas to act as an Anti-freezealso CO2 is NON-FLAMMABLE and also weight is more than the AIR hence add buoyancy life raft,Freezing point of CO2 is -780 c, so it can inflate life raft even at -150 c. · It shall be inflated by ONE person only. · life raft shall not be Approved which has a carrying capacity of less than 6 person. · The total mass of the life raft with its its equipment and container shall not become more than 180 kg.· life raft inflation shall be completed within a period of 1 min at an ambient temp. of between 18 degree c to 20 degree c, And within a period of 3 minute at an ambient temp. of minus 30 degree Celsius.· A life raft shall be constructed like that to be capable of withstanding exposure for 30 days afloat in any sea condition. · A life raft shall be constructed so that when, packed in its container.It is dropped into the water from a height of 18 meter the life raft and its equipment are not damaged. A life raft, when afloat, shall be capable of withstanding the number of jumps onto it equal to the Number of members of its complement, from a height of at least 4.5 m above its floor.· A life raft and its towing patch shall be so constructed as to enable the life raft to be towed at a speed of 3 knots in calm water when it is loaded with its full complement and equipment and one of its sea anchors is streamed.· Life raft shall be provide INSULATION against HEAT and COLD by means of either TWO layer of material separated by an AIR GAP. Shall be provided to prevent accumulation of water in the AIR GAP.· It shall be provided with means to mount a Survival Craft RADAR TRANSPONDER at a height of at least ONE meter above the SEA. · Efficient PAINTER of length equal to not less than 15 m.A manually controlled Lamp shall be fitted to the TOP of the life raft CANOPY; the light shall be WHITE and be capable of operating continuously for at least 12 hrs. With a luminous intensity not less than 4.3 cd, in all direction of the UPPER HEMISPHERE, the flashes rate not less than 50 and not more than 70 per minute.Q2. What is the Carrying Capacity of Life Raft on your ship? and Location on your ship?Minimum carrying capacity = 6 person. Location on ship = in forward (6 person) At embarkation station in PORT and STBD side (It depends upon on your ship loaction and capacity may change )Breaking Strength of Painter· 15 Kilo Newton for more than 25 person life raft permitted to accommodate.· 10 Kilo Newton for 9 to 24· 7.5 Kilo Newton anyhowEquipment contain in LIFE RAFT as per SOLASone Mirror / Heliographtwo Sponges Two Buoyant paddles Six Hand Flares Four Rocket parachutes = 4Two Smoke signalsOne EPIRB One SART Food Ration = 500 gram per person per days up to three days ( not less than 10000 kilo Joule per each person )500 Mill leter Water/ person / days up to 3 daysOne KnifeOne Survival instruction bookletOne Topping Up pump and Bellow50 Anti-sea sickness tablets 2 Buoyant bailers 1 Waterproof torch 1 Daylight signaling lamp.1 Radar reflector One box First Aid Kit in water proof case One set Fishing tackle One CompassTwo Sea Anchor One Whistle Three Tin opener Two Thermal Protective aid LIFE RAFT CONTAINER MARKING as per SOLASMaker’s name or Trade markSerial numberLength of painterDate when last serviced Maximum permitted height of stowage above water lineType of emergency pack enclosed Date of manufacture ( month and year )Capacity of life raftLaunching instructionSOLAS Life raft Marking as per SOLAS Maker’s name or Trade mark Serial numberName of approve authority.Date when last servicedDate of manufacture ( month and year )SAFETY ON LIFE RAFT:Pressure relief valve Insulated canopy have Two layerStabilizing pocket LIFE RAFT LAUNCHING MANUALLY: Follow the procedure During drill or in case of any emergency when you have to lower the life raft.Procedure as followsUnfasten the ship hook from cradle than Two person will lift raft container from its cradle and thrown it to overboard ( into sea ) make sure painter point will be at ship sideNow after thrown take out remaining painter from raft and after that give sharp pull but until the life raft inflate According to SOLAS Regulation it will inflate within 1 to 3 min depend on ambient temperature. Now pull it ship side with the help of same painter.Now lower the embarkation ladder or if height is less than jump into water or you can direct jump into the life raft if the height will not be more than 4.5 m from water line and also by using embarkation ladder you can go down and jump it inside or swim some distance and climb up in raft. if you are in cold weather should not get wet, keep dry as possible as you canYou must have to sit in order so raft will not be unbalance order wise means face to face.SART and EPIRB have to take along with you.Head count must be taken After all person get inside Now cut the painter immediately by using knife and using paddle or sea anchor get clear the ship because as ship will start to sink there will be low pressure create in water nearby area of ship and your raft will be possible to imbalanceLAUNCHING LIFE RAFT IN AUTO WHEN SHIP WILL SINK AND H.R.U WILL ACTIVATE AND LIFE RAFT WILL LAUNCH AUTOMATICALLYWhen ship starts sink and it sink up to four meter the water pressure started will activate sharp knife in H.R.U it will cut the rope which secured around the container of the life raft and now float free. as the ship continue to sinking then painter line will stretch and which helps to inflate the raft. Due to buoyancy the red weak link will break around the force 2.2 kilo newton by which life raft will float on water surface.