Complete list of Lifeboat Equipments
1) Except for freefall lifeboat buoyant oars, sufficient to make headway in calm seas and a crutch is provided for each oar and is attached to the boat by lanyard or chain.
2) Two boat hooks, for fending off when the boat is being lowered. These are never lashed.
3) A binnacle containing a magnetic compass which is luminous or provided with a light. Suitable arrangements are provided for fixing it in front of cox’n. In totally enclosed boats, it is permanently fixed.
4) Two painters of length at least 15 mtrs or double the height of the boat from light water line whichever is greater. One painter is attached to a slipping device. It is called a ‘slip painter or ‘toggle painter’. The other painter, called a ‘permanent painter‘, is firmly secured to a ring in the bows. Both painters are stowed forward. Before the boat is lowered from the ship, the free end of the slip painter is taken outside of everything and made fast well forward on the ship. When the boat is required to get away from the ship, the painter is slipped and the boat moves off, leaving this painter on the abandoned ship.
5) A sea anchor of adequate size and strength fitted with a hawser and a tripping line. The hawser is about 3 to 4 times the length of the boat. It is attached by a bridle to the broad end of the sea anchor. A tripping line, which is 2 fathoms longer than the hawser, is attached to the narrow end. It is used for pulling in the sea anchor when not required.
A sea anchor is used to keep the boat head on to waves in a storm or when landing in a surf. If the sea anchor is not used the boat will get broad side on to the waves and capsize. A sea anchor is normally streamed from the bows. The only time that it may be streamed from the stern is when the boat cannot be turned around to face the wind, due to the danger of capsizing in very rough seas. But such a situation should not be allowed to develop. The boat should be turned around well in advance, before the wind and sea become too strong.
6) Two hatchets, one ford and one aft. They can be used for many purposes, such as a hammer, or for cutting ropes etc. The blade has a canvas cover and the handle has a lanyard for lashing.
7) A buoyant bailer and two buckets.
8) A manual pump.
9) A box containing the following distress signals:
a) Four rocket parachute flares: These are of the same type as kept on the bridge. Can be used either during day or night.
b) Six red hand flares: It gives a bright red flare for at least one minute. Instructions for use are printed on the casing. After lighting, it is held in the hand on the lee side of the boat. Should be used only at night.
c) Two buoyant smoke signals: It is lit first and then thrown in the water on the lee quarter of the boat. It floats in water and gives out a lot of highly visible coloured smoke for at least 3 mins. Instructions for use are printed on the casing. Can be used in day time only.
The distress signals should be used sparingly and only when there is a likelihood of their being noticed. If a ship or aircraft is too far away, wait for it to get closer. In the meantime attract her attention by torch or heliograph as appropriate.
10) Full rations for the total number of persons which the boat is certified to carry on the following scales for each person:
a) A total of not less than 10,000 kJ of food per person in air tight packages and stowed in a watertight container.
b) 3 litres of fresh water per person in water tight receptacles, of which one litre per person may be replaced by a desalting apparatus capable of producing one litre of fresh water per person in 2 days.
No food or water should be issued for the first 24 hrs.
11) A rust-proof dipper with lanyard.
12) A rust-proof graduated drinking vessel.
13) A jack-knife attached to the boat by a lanyard.
14) Three tin openers.
15) One set of fishing tackle.
16) One first aid outfit in a water proof case which can be tightly closed after use, for every 30 persons or part thereof.
17) Sufficient for at least 48 hrs anti-seasickness medicines and one vomiting bag for each person.
18) One Haliograph for attracting attention of ships or aircraft in the daytime, with instructions for its use.
19) One water proof signaling torch, one spare battery and one spare bulb. Can be used for attracting attention of ships/aircraft at night for its use. The spare batteries and bulb should be checked every three months for good conditions.
20) One mouth-blown whistle or equivalent sound signalling apparatus for attracting attention of the persons in the water when the lifeboat is searching for them at night.
21) An efficient radar reflector.
22) A searchlight capable of working for a total period of 6 hours, out of which at least 3 hours may be continuous.
23) A survival manual.
24) One copy of Life Saving Signals on a waterproof card.
25) Two buoyant rescue quoits with at least 30 metres of buoyant line each.
26) Thermal protective aids for 10% of the capacity of boat or two whichever is greater.
27) Portable fire extinguishing equipment for oil fires.
28) Sufficient tools for minor adjustments to the engine and its accessories.
29) At least 2 Nos. thermal protective aids depending on capacity of lifeboat.
Note: All items of lifeboat equipment, except boat hooks, are either lashed or kept in lockers.
Ref: Seamanship book by Late Capt. J Dinger