1. These Rules may be cited as the Merchant Shipping (Life-Saving Appliances) (Amendment) Rules 1978 and shall come into operation on 1st February 1979.

2. The Merchant Shipping (Life-Saving Appliances) Rules 1965, as amended(2), shall be further amended as follows:-

(1) In Rule 29(5) after the words "at least fifteen minutes" there shall be inserted the words "and which comply with the requirements of Schedule 11A to these Rules.";

(2) After Schedule 11 there shall be added Schedule 11A:-

Rule 29(5)

"SCHEDULE 11AREQUIREMENTS FOR LIFEBUOY MARKER SMOKE SIGNALS

1. Every smoke signal shall be fitted with a self-contained means of ignition, and with means for being efficiently attached to a lifebuoy.

2. The signal shall be capable of emitting dense orange-coloured smoke for at least 15 minutes while floating in water.

3. The signals shall be water proofed and capable of functioning after immersion for 2 hours in water under a head of 1 metre.

4. After completion of the ignition cycle the signal shall continue to function after immersion for 10 seconds under a head of water of 10 cm.

5. The signal shall be capable of quick release from the stowed position.

6. The signal shall be capable of functioning after being dropped into water from a height of 25 metres at a speed of 30 knots.

7. The signal shall be safe to operate in oil covered waters.

8. Lifebuoy marker smoke signals may also be provided with self igniting lights which are required under Rule 29.

9. All components, composition and ingredients of the signals shall be of such character and quality as to enable them to maintain their serviceability under good average storage conditions in the marine environment for a period of at least three years.

10. The date of manufacture and the date of expiry shall be marked indelibly on the signal.

11. Clear and concise directions for use in the English language supported by illustrations shall be printed indelibly on the signal."

(3) For Schedule 13 there shall be substituted the following Schedule:-

Rule 30

"SCHEDULE 13REQUIREMENTS FOR LINE-THROWING APPLIANCES

1. Every line-throwing appliance shall consist of a rocket pistol and four individual rockets with four lines, or four separate self-contained units each of which contains a rocket and line ready for use.

2. The appliance shall be so constructed that the end from which the rocket is ejected can be positively identified by day or night.

3. The lines used in line-throwing appliances shall have a breaking load of not less than 2,000 newtons.

4. Every line-throwing appliance shall be capable of throwing a line a minimum of 12.0 millimetres in circumference a distance of 230 metres in calm weather.

5. Every line-throwing appliance shall be capable of throwing the line in such a manner that the lateral deflection on either side of the direction of firing does not exceed 10 per cent of the length of flight of the rocket in calm weather.

6. The rocket (in the case of a pistol fired rocket) or the assembly (in the case of an integral rocket and line) shall function after immersion for 1 minute under a head of water of 10 cm.

7. The lines and the rockets together with the means of igniting them, shall be kept in suitable cases to afford protection from the weather.

8. All components, compositions and ingredients of the rockets and the means of igniting them shall be of such character and quality as to enable them to maintain their serviceability under good average storage conditions in the marine environment for a period of at least three years.

9. The date of manufacture and the date of expiry shall be marked indelibly on the rockets and these date markings shall be similarly stamped on the cartridges.

10. Clear and concise directions for use in the English language, supported by illustrations, shall form an integral part of the appliance."

(4) In Schedule 14 for Parts III, IV and V there shall be substituted:-

Rules 31(1)(n) 35(1)(m)

"PART IIIPARACHUTE DISTRESS ROCKET SIGNALS FOR LIFEBOATS AND LIFERAFTS

1. Every parachute distress rocket signal shall consist of a single bright red flare which is projected to the required height by means of a rocket, and which burns while falling, descent being controlled by a parachute or other means at an average rate not greater than 5 metres per second.

2. The signal shall be so constructed that the end from which the rocket is ejected can be positively identified by day or night.

3. When the rocket is fired approximately vertically the flare and parachute shall be ejected at or before the top of the trajectory at a minimum height of 300 metres. The signal shall in addition be capable of functioning when the rocket is fired at an angle of 45 degrees to the horizontal.

4. The flare shall burn with an average luminous intensity of not less than 30,000 candela for not less than 40 seconds. It shall burn out at a height of not less than 50 metres above sea level, when the rocket has been fired approximately vertically.

5. The signal may be ignited by any suitable method but the ignition system shall be an integral part of the signal, easy to operate with wet, cold or gloved hands in adverse conditions and require the minimum of preparation. The sealing shall not depend on adhesive tapes.

6. The signal shall be capable of functioning after immersion for 2 hours under a head of water of 1 metre.

7. In the ready-to-fire condition the signal shall function after immersion for 1 minute under a head of water of 10 cms.

8. All components, compositions and ingredients of the signal and the means of igniting it shall be of such character and quality as to enable the signal to maintain its serviceability under good average storage conditions in the marine environment for a period of at least three years.

9. For carriage in lifeboats, signals shall be packed in a container which shall be durable, damp proof and effectively sealed.

10. The date of manufacture and the date of expiry shall be marked indelibly on the signal.

11. Clear and concise directions for use in the English language supported by illustrations shall be printed indelibly on the signal.

Rules 31(1)(n) 35(1)(n) and (4)(c)

PART IVHAND HELD DISTRESS FLARE SIGNALS FOR LIFEBOATS AND LIFERAFTS

1. Every hand held distress signal shall be capable of being used from a lifeboat or liferaft without harm to the occupants and without causing discomfort to the uncovered hand of the operator.

2. The signal shall be so constructed that when fired, no burning composition will fall from the signal which might cause damage to an inflated liferaft.

3. The signal shall be capable of emitting a red light of an average luminous intensity of not less than 15,000 candela for not less than 1 minute.

4. The signal shall be fitted with an integral means of firing, easy to operate with wet, cold or gloved hands in adverse conditions without external aid and requiring the minimum of preparation. Sealing shall not depend on adhesive tapes.

5. The signal shall be so constructed that the end from which the light is emitted can be positively identified by day or night.

6. The signal shall be capable of functioning after immersion for 2 hours under a head of water of 1 metre.

7. In the ready-to-fire condition the signal shall function after immersion for 1 minute under a head of water of 10 cm.

8. After ignition the signal shall continue to function after immersion for 10 seconds under a head of water of 10 cm.

9. All components, composition and ingredients shall be of such a character and quality as to enable the flare to burn evenly and maintain its serviceablity under good average storage conditions in the marine environment for a period of a least three years.

10. The date of manufacture and the date of expiry shall be marked indelibly on the flare.

11. Clear and concise directions for use in the English language supported by illustrations shall be printed indelibly on the signal.

Rules 31(1)(o) 45(2)

PART VBUOYANT SMOKE SIGNALS FOR LIFEBOATS

1. The signal shall be capable, while floating on the water, of emitting dense orange-coloured smoke for a period of not less than two minutes and not more than four minutes.

2. Every buoyant smoke signal shall be fitted with an integral means of ignition, easy to operate with wet, cold or gloved hands in adverse conditions without external aid, require the minimum of preparation and be so designed as to enable the signal to be released from a lifeboat without harm to the occupants.

3. The signal shall be capable of functioning after immersion for 2 hours under a head of water of 1 metre.

4. After completion of the ignition cycle the signal shall continue to function after immersion for 10 seconds under a head of water of 10 cm.

5. The signal shall be safe to operate in oil-covered waters.

6. All components, composition and ingredients shall be of such character and quality as to burn evenly and as to enable the signal to maintain its serviceability under good average storage conditions in the marine environment for a period of at least three years.

7. The date of manufacture and the date of expiry shall be marked indelibly on the signal.

8. Clear and concise directions for use in the English language supported by illustrations shall be printed indelibly on the signal."

(5) For Schedule 18 there shall be substituted the following Schedule:-

Rule 45(1) and (4)

"SCHEDULE 18SHIPS' PARACHUTE DISTRESS ROCKET SIGNALS

1. Every parachute distress rocket signal shall consist of a single bright red flare which is projected to the required height by means of a rocket, and which burns while falling, descent being controlled by a parachute or other means at an average rate not greater than 5 metres per second.

2. The signal shall be so constructed that the end from which the rocket is ejected can be positively identified by day or night.

3. When the rocket is fired approximately vertically the flare and parachute shall be ejected at or before the top of the trajectory at a minimum height of 300 metres. The signal shall in addition be capable of functioning when the rocket is fired at an angle of 45 degrees to the horizontal.

4. The flare shall burn with an average luminous intensity of not less than 30,000 candela for not less than 40 seconds. It shall burn out at a height of not less than 50 metres above sea level, when the rocket has been fired approximately vertically.

5. The signal may be ignited by any suitable method but the ignition system shall be an integral part of the signal, easy to operate with wet, cold or gloved hands in adverse conditions and require the minimum of preparation. The sealing shall not depend on adhesive tapes.

6. The signal shall be capable of functioning after immersion for 2 hours under a head of water of 1 metre.

7. In the ready-to-fire condition the signal shall function after immersion for 1 minute under a head of water of 10 cms.

8. All components, compositions and ingredients of the signal and the means of igniting it shall be of such character and quality as to enable the signal to maintain its serviceability under good average storage conditions in the marine environment for a period of at least three years.

9. For carriage on ships, signals shall be packed in a container which shall be durable, damp proof and effectively sealed.

10. The date of manufacture and the date of expiry shall be marked indelibly on the signal.

11. Clear and concise directions for use in the English language supported by illustrations shall be printed indelibly on the signal."

EXPLANATORY NOTE

These Rules further amend the Merchant Shipping (Life-Saving Appliances) Rules 1965 by prescribing:-

(1)requirements for lifebuoy marker smoke signals (Schedule 11A);

(2)different requirements for line-throwing appliances (Schedule 13);

(3)different requirements for parachute distress rocket signals for life-boats and liferafts (Schedule 14 Part III) and for ships (Schedule 18);

(4)different requirements for hand held distress flare signals for lifeboats and liferafts (Schedule 14 Part IV);

(5)different requirements for buoyant smoke signals for lifeboats (Schedule 14 Part V).

The same amendments are being made for fishing vessels, which will come into operation at the same time as these Rules, in the Fishing Vessels (Safety Provisions) (Amendment No. 2) Rules 1978. (S.I. 1978/1873.)