Awareness of Life Saving Appliances

Life saving appliances (LSA) are special equipment provided on ships to help people survive in case of an emergency at sea. The most important survival craft are lifeboats and liferafts.

Survival Craft (Lifeboats and Liferafts)

Ships must carry enough survival craft on both sides so that everyone on board can be saved. The rules are as follows:

• On long international voyages, ships must have lifeboats that can carry 50% of the total persons on each side of the ship. 
• If 12.5% of the capacity is provided by liferafts, then lifeboats must cover 37.5% on either side. 
• In addition, 25% of the liferafts on board must be served by at least one launching appliance on each side of the ship.

For short international voyages, the requirements are slightly different but still aim to provide full protection.

Lifeboats and liferafts must be distributed as far apart as possible on each side of the ship. Their total capacity, together with the lifeboats, must be enough to accommodate the total number of persons on board.

Special Rules for Smaller Ships

For ships less than 500 gross tons (GT) and carrying fewer than 200 persons:

• In addition to the main requirement, 25% of the liferafts on board must be served by at least one launching appliance on each side.
• Alternatively, the ship must carry 100% liferafts on either side of the ship, or 150% if the liferafts cannot be readily transferred from one side to the other.