Nov. 15.]

THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE.

3279

boats is possible, or the davits shall be of the quadrant or other such
type as will ensure the above condition being fulfilled : Provided
that this requirement shall not apply to any ship in Class I or Class V,
Home trade, where the height of the boat-deck above the water-line at
the vessel's lightest seagoing draught does not exceed 15 ft.

(4) The boat's falls shall be long enough to lower the boat into
the water with safety when the vessel is light. Life-lines shall be
fitted to the davit spans, and shall be long enough to reach the water
when the vessel is light. Hooks shall not be attached to the lower
tackle-blocks.

(5) Means shall be provided for speedily, but not necessarily
simultaneously or automatically, detaching the boats from the falls.
The boats placed under davits shall be attached to the falls and kept
ready for service; the points of attachment of the boats to the falls
shall be sufficiently away from the ends of the boats to ensure their
being easily swung clear of the davits; the boat's chocks shall be of
such construction and arrangement as shall be satisfactory to the
Department.

(6) Where more boats than one are served by the same set of
davits, arrangements shall be made to prevent the falls fouling when
they are recovered; and where more than two boats are served by
the same set of davits there shall be provided an approved appliance
for lowering the boats in turn and rapidly.

(7) The Department may accept in lieu of davits or sets of davits
any other appliance, appliances, or arrangements which appear to
them at least as effective as davits for placing the boats in the water.

12. Stowage of Boats, Buoyant Apparatus, &c.

(1) All boats attached to davits, and all boats stowed under boats
attached to davits, shall be stowed in such a way that—

(a) They can be launched in the shortest possible time;
(b) They will not impede in any way the prompt handling of
any other of the lifeboats attached to davits or stowed under
boats attached to davits, or the buoyant apparatus carried
under Rule C, Class I, Foreign-going, or the marshalling
of the persons on board at the launching-stations, or their
embarkation;
(c) Even under conditions of list and trim unfavourable from
the point of view of the handling of the boats, as large a
number of persons as possible can be embarked in them;
(d) Except as hereinafter provided, they shall be so stowed as
not to require lifting before being launched.

(2) With regard to the stowage of other additional lifeboats and
buoyant apparatus the following provisions shall apply:—

(a) They must not impede in any way the prompt handling of the
lifeboats attached to davits, or the additional boats stowed
under boats attached to davits, or the buoyant apparatus,
or the marshalling of the persons on board at the launching-
stations, or their embarkation.
(b) The lifeboats may be stowed one above the other, or they
may, subject to such conditions as the Department may
impose, be fitted one within another; but where boats so
fitted require lifting before being launched, they shall only
be permitted if attached to davits operated by mechanical-
power appliances.
(c) The lifeboats may be stowed in rows across a deck, bridge, or
poop.
(d) As large a number of the boats as possible shall be capable
of being launched on either side of the ship, either by means
of approved appliances for transferring them from one side
of the deck to the other, or by stowing in rows across the
deck, or by some other equally satisfactory means.
(e) Means shall be provided to the satisfaction of the Depart-
ment for lowering the lifeboats into the water in the
shortest possible time.

(3) Where a boat is stowed underneath another boat there shall
be provided approved removable supports or other approved appli-
cances, so as to secure that the weight of a boat is not unduly supported
by the boat underneath it.