STANDARD Abandon SHIP EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES. While much of abandon ship equipment have been designed for wartime use when rescue is complicated by the presence of enemy submarines and planes, it continues to be of use in peacetime. Heavy seas and weather reefs, icebergs, fog and fire still endanger the lives of seamen and make abandon ship equipment vital in peacetime as well as in war.

Every item of abandon ship gear has been placed on aboardship as a result of research based on the experience of survivors. The size and amount of equipment supplied are limited by strict economy of weight and space since naval vessels are limited primarily for combat.

The combat equipment therefore is given first consideration as far as space and weight are concerned. Based on this restrictions and the fact that it is expected that survivors will be picked up fairly soon by other naval vessels, the equipment has been limited to the essentials for survival for a short period of time.

Objectives of Men Cast Adrift: 1) To survive. 2) Ti keep afloat 3) To attract the attention of rescuers.

Gears Needed for survival: 1) Rations 2) Water 3) Fishing Kit. 4) Medical Kit

1) Rations To provide about 1,000 calories per man per day rations are packed in metal container. Each container holds sufficient rations for 25 men per day. The number of containers allowed provides a total of 5 days rations for each man on the liferaft’s maximum carrying capacity.

2) Water Water breakers contain sufficient water to provide a minimum total allowance of one quart of water to each man. Two drinking cups marked in ounces for measuring are provided. Each liferaft is furnished with three gallons of water breakers full and tested which must be changed weekly.

Fishing Kit Fishing Kit must be designed for deep sea angling and enclosed in a waterproof can with key opening and contains (1) Gloves; (4) Dip net; (2) Sinkers; (5) Bait; and (3) Assortment of (6) Knife that has fishing rig positive buoyant

4) Medical Kit Medical Kit contains medical equipment for treatment and first aid.

Gears to Keep Survivors Afloat Life preservers – a belt or jacket of buoyant or inflatable material worn to keep a man afloat.

Signaling Equipment Signaling Mirror a) Most effective and most frequent used signaling device. b) It reflects sunlight for a distance of 8 to 10 miles and is designed to focus definitely on a moving object such as planes. c) Reflections can be seen at distance three to five times as great as those at which liferaft can be sighted at sea. d) On a clear sunny day, the mirror will reflect the equivalent of 8,000,000 candle power.

Signaling Mirror e) There is a small round window of clear glass in the center of the mirror for sighting. f) When the mirror is aimed at the sun, a red dot is reflected.

Pyrotechnic Distress Signals

Red flare Prior to launching a distress flare – read the manufacturers’ instructions and date. They should be keep in a waterproof container and easily accessible.

Orange smoke signal Orange Smoke Signal is a compact, flat top, day time distress signal designed to be easy and safe to handle. It provides effective position marking during rescue operations and can be used to indicate wind direction, producing dense orange smoke for a minimum of 3 minutes.

Communication and navigation A compass is an instrument used for navigation and orientation that shows direction relative to the geographic "cardinal directions", or "points"

Epirb An Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon or EPIRB is used to alert search and rescue services in the event of an emergency

Radar reflector  If you operate your boat in areas with shipping traffic or where fog and low visibility are common, the ability to be seen by radar-equipped ships can make the difference between being seen and being sunk

oars The oars used should be free from any short grains or other defects. They should be made from homegrown Australian, European or American ash or hickory. You can also use oars with laminated construction, which are made from the mentioned timbers.

crutches Galvanized wrought iron crutches should be used and should be attached to the lifeboat by means of a lanyard or a chain that is secured to the neck of each crutch. It should be positioned in such a way that at least one crutch is ready for use at each crutch hole. In case of a damaged crutch, the complete fitting should be replaced with the spare crutch that is available in the lifeboat.

Boat hooks There should be at least two boat hooks in every lifeboat. The shaft of the boat hooks should be of a good quality ash or hickory.

drain Automatic drain valves that are approved by MCA should be used. When an automatic plug is attached, a safety plug or a screwed plug attached to a chain should be provided.

Buoyant lifelines A line must be becketed around the outside of the lifeboat and it should be clear of the propeller and the rudder. On fire protected lifeboats, the lines must be made of flexible stainless wire rope covered with PVC and passed through hardwood handgrips.

Search light  Internal and external lights that comply with the MSM standard should be provided. The lights should have their own power supply.

Sea Anchors These are used to anchor the lifeboats in the sea away from the ship or used when the boat is being towed

Lifeboat boarding ladders  Rope or wire rope ladder can be used in the lifeboats. The ladders used should be off sufficient length, which will help to reach the bow or stern to at least 0.4 metres below the water surface when the boat is in light condition. The lowest rung should be made of iron or any other heavy material so that the ladder hangs vertically

Fire extinguisher Lifeboats must be provided with fire extinguishing appliances which meets the regulations. A dual seal type should be used for fire extinguishers with foam type

Survival Manual A waterproof survival manual should be included in the lifeboat equipment.

Bucket and bailer  Two buckets with a capacity of 9 liters each and a buoyant bailer with a diameter not less than 200 mm should be available in the lifeboat.

Hatchet The lifeboats should have two hatchets, one at each end. They should be single edged, have good cutting edges, attached to the lifeboat by a lanyard should be readily available

Bow line the length should not be less than 2 times of distance between the stow position of lifeboat to the waterline. The quantity is 2 pieces.

Jack-knife  A jack-knife fitted a tin opener must be available and should be attached to the lifeboat with the help of a lanyard.

Whistles  A good quality whistle which should work efficiently even after immersion should be available in the lifeboat. It should be fitted with a lanyard

Manual pumps  A manual pump as per the approved requirement should be present. The hoses used should be of rubber. The suctions hoses should be provided with a suitable strainer. Both the suction and the discharge hoses should be adequate length. The arrangements should be able to keep the lifeboat clear of any water.

Thermal protective aids Stowage of thermal protective aids available in the lifeboats should be maintained in such a way that they will not be damaged.