SOLAS III/ Regulation 14
Stowage of rescue boats
Rescue boats shall be stowed:
.1 in a state of continuous readiness for launching in not more than 5 min, and if the inflatable type, in a fully inflated condition at all times;
.2 in a position suitable for launching and recovery;
.3 so that neither the rescue boat nor its stowage arrangements will interfere with the operation of any survival craft at any other launching station; and
.4 if it is also a lifeboat, in compliance with the requirements of regulation 13
SOLAS III/ Regulation 17
Rescue boat embarkation, launching and recovery arrangements
1 The rescue boat embarkation and launching arrangements shall be such that the rescue boat can be boarded and launched in the shortest possible time.
2 If the rescue boat is one of the ship’s survival craft, the embarkation arrangements and launching station shall comply with the requirements of regulations 11 and 12.
3 Launching arrangements shall comply with the requirements of regulation 16. However, all rescue boats shall be capable of being launched, where necessary utilizing painters, with the ship making headway at speeds up to 5 knots in calm water.
4 Recovery time of the rescue boat shall be not more than 5 min in moderate sea conditions when loaded with its full complement of persons and equipment. If the rescue boat is also a lifeboat, this recovery time shall be possible when loaded with its lifeboat equipment and the approved rescue boat complement of at least six persons.
5 Rescue boat embarkation and recovery arrangements shall allow for safe and efficient handling of a stretcher case. Foul weather recovery strops shall be provided for safety if heavy fall blocks constitute a danger
SOLAS III/ REGULATION 21 pax ship
2 Rescue boats
2.1 Passenger ships of 500 gross tonnage and over shall carry at least one rescue boat complying with the requirements of section 5.1 of the Code on each side of the ship.
2.2 Passenger ships of less than 500 gross tonnage shall carry at least one rescue boat complying with the requirements of section 5.1 of the Code.
2.3 A lifeboat may be accepted as a rescue boat provided that it and its launching and recovery arrangements also comply with the requirements for a rescue boat.
3 Marshalling of liferafts
3.1 The number of lifeboats and rescue boats that are carried on passenger ships shall be sufficient to ensure that in providing for abandonment by the total number of persons on board not more than six liferafts need be marshalled by each lifeboat or rescue boat.
3.2 The number of lifeboats and rescue boats that are carried on passenger ships engaged on short international voyages and shall be sufficient to ensure that in providing for abandonment by the total number of persons on board not more than nine liferafts need be marshalled by each lifeboat or rescue boat.
SOLAS III/ REGULATION 31 cargo ships
2 Rescue boats
Cargo ships shall carry at least one rescue boat complying with the requirements of section 5.1 of the Code. A lifeboat may be accepted as a rescue boat, provided that it and its launching and recovery arrangements also comply with the requirements for a rescue boat.
3 In addition to their lifeboats, all cargo ships constructed before 1 July 1986 shall carry:
.1 one or more liferafts capable of being launched on either side of the ship and of such aggregate capacity as will accommodate the total number of persons on board. The liferaft or liferafts shall be equipped with a lashing or an equivalent means of securing the liferaft which will automatically release it from a sinking ship; and
.2 where the horizontal distance from the extreme end of the stem or stern of the ship to the nearest end of the closest survival craft is more than 100 m, in addition to the liferafts required by paragraph 3.1, a liferaft stowed as far forward or aft, or one as far forward and another as far aft, as is reasonable and practicable. Notwithstanding the requirements of paragraph 3.1, such liferaft or liferafts may be securely fastened so as to permit manual release