| No. 14-NT(06)/2005 |
Date : 12.09.2007 |
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| Subject: Exemption for the carriage of distress signals and line throwing appliance for ships of class XII under LSA rules (i.e. tugs and port launches of less than 500 tons gross) operating in port limits. | |
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1. Background:- Various ports have been requesting the Administration for grant of exemption to carry, on board ships of class XII, distress signals and line throwing appliance required under LSA rules. 2. Justification:- 2.1 Distress signals are used to alert other vessels in the vicinity when help is required by any vessel. These signals are invariably imported at a substantial cost. Since, they have a shelf life of 3 to 5 years; they need to be replaced periodically. 2.2 Port craft are normally deployed within port limits and generally ply within 5-6 nautical miles from the shore. Such craft are under continuous surveillance and are in constant touch with the port signal stations. Other port craft are also available in the vicinity to provide assistance in case of an emergency. Hence, distress signals and line throwing appliance in such craft has now become a superfluous precaution. 2.3 Exemptions have been granted in the past on case to case basis. On the basis of a study of the exemptions granted, and the satisfactory outcome of this study, it has been decided to provide for a general revision in conditions for uniform application by all port crafts operating within port limits and in compliance of conditions as specified here below: 3. Condition for exemption: 3.1 Exemption for the carriage of hand flares, parachute rockets, buoyant smoke floats and line throwing appliance for ships of class XII under LSA rules (i.e. tugs and port launches of less than 500 tons gross) operating in port limits are subject to following conditions:- 3.1.1 The port craft shall be deployed only within port limits and be under continuous surveillance. The port craft must contact port signal stations at least once every 2 hrs. +/- 30m. If a report from the port craft becomes overdue, search and rescue process shall be initiated by the port as deemed necessary. 3.1.2 The port craft shall operate in area within the port limit supported by other vessels of the port. 3.1.3 Port signal station shall be manned round the clock. 3.1.4 Every port shall be equipped with at least one set of complete pyrotechniques and line throwing appliance as follows :- a) Six rockets parachute flares complying with the requirements of part X of seventh schedule of LSA rules. b) Six hand flares complying with the requirements of part XI of seventh schedule of LSA rules. c) Two buoyant smoke signals complying with the requirements of part XIV of seventh schedule of LSA rules. d) Line throwing appliance with four rockets complying with the requirements of part XVI of tenth schedule of LSA rules. 3.1.5 The above appliance / equipment shall be placed ashore at a designated place, so that in case of search and rescue or salvage operations, which may be required to be carried out by any of the port craft outside the port limit, such equipment can be placed on such vessels. 3.1.6 All port officials in the nautical discipline manning port craft shall be trained to use this equipment. 4. Placing the record of exemption: A copy of this circular shall be attached with 'Form-E' (i.e. Record of safety equipments of ships) 5. Procedure for applying and granting exemption: - Subject to fulfillment of the conditions stipulated above and upon undertaking by the port seeking exemption from carriage of pyrotechnics and line throwing appliance on port craft, the Directorate General of Shipping will consider and grant the above exemption under the provisions of rule 44(1) of LSA rules (1982/1991).
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