Cap 369AI Sched 1 GUIDELINES FOR TRAINING CREWS FOR THE PURPOSE OF LAUNCHING LIFEBOATS AND RESCUE BOATS FROM SHIPS MAKING HEADWAY THROUGH THE WATER (MERCHANT SHIPPING (SAFETY) (MUSTERS AND TRAINING) REGULATIONS; MERCHANT SHIPPING (SAFETY) ORDINANCE)

Contents of Section

Chapter:	369AI	Title:	MERCHANT SHIPPING (SAFETY) (MUSTERS AND TRAINING) REGULATIONS	Gazette Number:	L.N. 110 of 2001
Schedule:	1	Heading:	GUIDELINES FOR TRAINING CREWS FOR THE PURPOSE OF LAUNCHING LIFEBOATS AND RESCUE BOATS FROM SHIPS MAKING HEADWAY THROUGH THE WATER	Version Date:	13/07/2001

[regulations 6(9) & 10]
(L.N. 110 of 2001)

1. In this Schedule, "training manual" (訓練手冊) is a manual complying with the requirements of Regulation 35 of Chapter III of the Convention.

(L.N. 110 of 2001)

2. These guidelines apply to launching drills referred to in regulation 6(9) carried out, with lifeboats and rescue boats capable of being safely launched with the ship making headway at speeds up to 5 knots in calm water, in-

(a) cargo ships of 20000 GRT or more constructed on or after 1 July 1986 which are required under Regulation 31.1.1.1 of Chapter III of the Convention to carry such lifeboats; (L.N. 110 of 2001)

(b) ships constructed on or after 1 July 1986 which are required under Regulation 31.2 of Chapter III of the Convention to carry such rescue boats; and (L.N. 110 of 2001)

(c) any other ship fitted with a lifeboat or a rescue boat, with on load release gear adequately protected against accidental or premature use, or with both such a lifeboat and a rescue boat.

3. These guidelines supplement the procedures to be followed in respect of equipment, described in the instructions and information in the ship's training manual and provided on board the ship. The crew of the rescue boat or the lifeboat as the case may be should be instructed in the procedures to be followed before the drill commences.

4. (1) Drills should be carried out-

(a) on board a ship at anchor;

(b) alongside the ship where there is a relative movement between ship and water;

(d) at the master's discretion, on board a ship when making headway in sheltered waters.

(2) In the interests of safety, it is not necessary when training to exercise at the maximum design 5 knots headway launching capability of the equipment.
(3) Drills should be carried out with a low relative water speed, particularly where inexperienced personnel are involved. When planning the drill, consideration should be given to ensuring that, as far as practicable, the relative water speed will be at a minimum when recovering the boat.

5. The provisions in these guidelines are not intended to inhibit launching drills carried out on ships where such drills are carried out on a frequent and regular basis with fully trained and experienced boat crews.

6. (1) When planning for and carrying out the launching drills referred to in regulation 6(9) the precautions specified in subparagraph (2) shall be taken.

(2) (a) Drills should not be carried out otherwise than-

(i) under the supervision of an officer experienced in such drills; and

(ii) in calm water and clear weather;

(b) provision should be made for rendering assistance to the boat to be used in the drill in the event of unforeseen circumstances, e.g. where practicable a second boat should be made ready for launching;

(d) instructions as to procedures should be given to the boat's crew by the officer in charge before the drill commences;

(e) the number of crew members in the boat should be the minimum required for the training to be carried out;

(f) life-jackets, and where appropriate, immersion suits should be worn;

(g) except in the case of totally enclosed boats, head protection should be worn;

(h) for the purposes of the drill, skates, where fitted, should be removed unless they are designed to be retained under all launch conditions;

(i) in the case of totally enclosed boats, all openings should be closed except for the helmsman's hatch which may be open to provide a better view for launching;

(j) two-way radiotelephone communications should be established between the officer in charge of lowering, the bridge and the boat before lowering commences, and be maintained throughout the exercise;

(k) during lowering and recovery and while the boat is close to the ship, steps should be taken to ensure that the ship's propeller is not turning, if practicable;

(l) before the boat enters the water the boat's engine should be running;

(m) the launching and recovery should be followed by a debriefing session to consolidate the lessons learned.

(Enacted 1991)