31 OCTOBER NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE

5369

enclosure around the bottom and sides of the batteries. The battery casings shall have a tight fitting top which provides for necessary gas venting.

(7) The boat engine and accessories shall be designed to limit electromagnetic emissions so that engine operation does not interfere with the operation of any radio equipment used in the boat.

(8) Means shall be provided for recharging all engine-starting, searchlight and, when fitted, radio batteries. Radio batteries shall not be used to provide power for engine starting. The electric power supply from the ship to any rigid rescue boat shall be at a voltage not exceeding 55 volts direct current or 55 volts root mean square alternating current and shall be capable of being disconnected automatically at the rigid rescue boat embarkation station.

(9) Water-resistant instructions for starting and operating the engine shall be provided and mounted in a conspicuous place near the engine starting controls.

4. Boat Fittings

(1) All boats shall be provided with at least 1 drain valve fitted near the lowest point in the hull, which shall automatically open to drain water from the hull when the boat is not waterborne and shall automatically close to prevent entry of water when the boat is waterborne. Each drain valve shall be provided with a cap or plug to close the valve, which shall be attached to the boat by a lanyard, chain, or other suitable means. Drain valves shall be readily accessible and capable of being closed from inside the boat and their position shall be clearly indicated.

(2) All boats shall be provided with a rudder and tiller or other suitable means of steering. When a wheel or other remote steering mechanism is also provided the alternative means shall be capable of steering the boat in the case of failure of the steering mechanism. Except where the rudder and tiller forms part of an outboard engine the rudder shall be permanently attached to the boat and the tiller shall be permanently installed on or linked to the rudder stock. However, if the boat has a remote steering mechanism the tiller may be removable and securely stowed near the rudder stock. The steering arrangements shall be so arranged as not to be damaged by operation of the release mechanism or the propeller.

(3) Except in the vicinity of the rudder, propeller or outboard engine, a buoyant lifeline shall be becketed around the outside of the boat.

(4) Boats which are not self-righting when capsized shall have suitable handholds on the underside of the hull to enable persons to cling to the boat. The handholds shall be fastened to the boat in such a way that, when subjected to an impact sufficient to cause them to break away from the boat, they break away without damaging the boat.

(5) Every boat to be launched by a fall or falls shall be fitted with a release mechanism complying with Part IV of this performance standard.

(6) Every boat shall be fitted with a release device to enable the forward painter to be released when under tension.

(7) Boats intended for launching down the side of a ship shall have skates and fenders as necessary to facilitate launching and prevent damage to the boat.

(8) Unless expressly provided otherwise, every boat shall be provided with effective means of bailing or be automatically self-bailing.

5. Markings

(1) The dimensions of the boat, the number of persons which it is permitted to accommodate, the maker’s serial number, name or trade mark and the date of manufacture shall be marked on the boat in clear permanent characters.

(2) The name and port of registry of the ship to which the boat belongs shall be marked on each side of the boat’s bow in block capitals of the Roman alphabet.

(3) Means of identifying the ship to which the boat belongs and the number of the boat shall be marked in such a way that they are visible from above.

6. Boat Equipment

(1) All items of rescue boat equipment, with the exception of the boat-hook which shall be kept available for fending off purposes, shall be secured within the boat by lashings, storage in lockers or compartments, storage in brackets or similar mounting arrangements, or other suitable means. The equipment shall be secured in such a manner as not to interfere with any launching or recovery procedures. All items of boat equipment shall be as small and of as little mass as possible and shall be packed in suitable and compact form.

(2) The equipment of every boat shall consist of:

(a) sufficient buoyant oars or paddles to make headway in calm seas; thole pins, crutches or equivalent arrangements shall be provided for each oar; thole pins or crutches shall be attached to the boat by lanyards or chains;

(b) a buoyant bailer;

(c) a binnacle containing an efficient compass complying with the requirements of Part V of the performance standard for Survival Craft Equipment and Rations which is luminous or provided with suitable means of illumination;

(d) a sea-anchor complying with the requirements of Part I of the performance standard for Survival Craft Equipment and Rations;

(e) a painter of sufficient length and strength, attached to the release device complying with the requirements of clause 4(6) of this performance standard and placed at the forward end of the boat;

(f) 1 buoyant line, not less than 50 metres in length, of sufficient strength to tow a liferaft as required by clause 2(15) of this performance standard;

(g) 1 waterproof electric torch suitable for Morse signalling, together with 1 spare set of batteries and 1 spare bulb in a waterproof container;

(h) 1 whistle or equivalent sound signal;

(i) a first-aid outfit complying with the requirements of Part II of the Performance Standard for Survival Craft Equipment and Rations in a waterproof case capable of being closed tightly after use;

(j) 2 buoyant rescue quoits, attached to not less than 30 metres of buoyant line with a breaking strain of at least 1.0 kN;

(k) a searchlight capable of effectively illuminating a light-coloured object at night having a width of 18 metres at a distance of 180 metres for a total period of 6 hours and of working for at least 3 hours continuously;

(l) an efficient radar reflector;

(m) thermal protective aids sufficient for 10 per cent of the number of persons the rescue boat is permitted to accommodate or 2, whichever is the greater;

(n) a boat hook;

(o) a bucket;

(p) a knife or hatchet;

(q) a portable fire extinguisher.

7. Instructions and Information

(1) Instructions and information required for inclusion in the training manual specified in Part I of the Performance Standard for Training Manual and Maintenance Instructions and in the instructions for on-board maintenance specified in Part II of the Performance Standard for Training Manual and Maintenance Instructions shall be in a form suitable for inclusion in such training manual and instructions for on-board maintenance. Instructions and information shall be in English in a clear and concise form and shall include the following:

(a) general description of the boat and its equipment;

(b) installation arrangements;