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SOLAS Chapter III — Life-Saving Appliances & Arrangements

The LSA Code categories: lifebuoys, life jackets, immersion suits, pyrotechnics, SART, EPIRB, GMDSS, EEBD and SCABA.

11 min read
Intermediate
Safety
Key Principles at a Glance 6 points
  • SOLAS Chapter III mandates survival appliances, while the International Life-Saving Appliance (LSA) Code (Resolution MSC.48(66)) establishes mandatory technical specifications.
  • Lifebuoys must have an outer diameter ≤ 800 mm, inner diameter ≥ 400 mm, weight 2.5–6 kg (≥ 4.3 kg for quick-release bridge wing units), support 14.5 kg iron in fresh water for 24 h, and display port of registry.
  • Lifejackets must be donned within 1 minute unassisted by at least 75% of unfamiliar persons, withstand a 4.5 m jump into water without injury or dislodgement, and turn an unconscious wearer face-up in ≤ 5 seconds.
  • Immersion suits must be donned within 2 minutes, allow a 4.5 m jump, and limit body core temperature drop to ≤ 2°C after 6 hours in calm circulating water at 0°C to 2°C.
  • Radar SART operates across 9.2–9.5 GHz, displaying 12 distinct blips spaced 0.6 NM apart on X-band radar, with battery standby of 96 hours followed by 8 hours continuous transponding.
  • Satellite EPIRB broadcasts digital distress data on 406 MHz via Cospas-Sarsat with 121.5 MHz homing, floating free automatically via Hydrostatic Release Unit (HRU) at 1.5–4.0 m water depth.

1. The LSA Code & Categories of LSA

SOLAS Chapter III sets the operational requirements for shipboard abandonment, survival craft capacity, and emergency readiness. All appliances must strictly comply with the International Life-Saving Appliance (LSA) Code (Resolution MSC.48(66)), which categorizes survival apparatus into four distinct operational divisions based on their functional role during abandonment.

MSC.48(66) Statutory LSA Code Standard
4 Divisions Survival / Personal / Signal / General
100% + 100% Cargo Lifeboat Capacity Port/Stbd
≤ 10 min Statutory Launch Prep Limit
> 100 m Forecastle Liferaft Requirement
SHIPBOARD LIFE-SAVING APPLIANCES (LSA) DEPLOYMENT PROFILE SOLAS Chapter III Reg 11–34 • Survival Craft, Personal Equipment, Bridge Distress Stations & Escape Trunking NAVIGATING BRIDGE MOB BUOY (≥4.3kg) Smoke/Light 15 min EPIRB 406MHz HRU Release LIFEBOAT (100%) RAFT Liferaft + HRU RAFT FWD RAFT (≥6 P) If stem >100 m from boats E/R CASING EEBD Station Escape Trunk DISTANCE > 100 m TO STEM → MANDATORY 6-PERSON RAFT FOUR LSA CODE CATEGORIES: 1. Survival Craft (Lifeboats & Liferafts) • 2. Personal LSA (Lifebuoys, Lifejackets, Immersion Suits, TPAs) 3. Distress Signalling (Pyrotechnics, SART, EPIRB, Two-way VHF) • 4. General LSA (Line Throwing, EEBD, SCABA, General Emergency Alarm)
Figure 1: Shipboard Life-Saving Appliances (LSA) Statutory Arrangement. Totally enclosed motor lifeboats on gravity davits provide 100% capacity on each ship side. Bridge wings host 4.3 kg quick-release MOB smoke/light lifebuoys and float-free 406 MHz EPIRBs. A dedicated 6-person liferaft is positioned forward when the distance from stem to nearest survival craft exceeds 100 m.

The Four Divisions of the LSA Code

Division 1: Survival Craft
Totally Enclosed Motor Lifeboats (TEMPSC), free-fall lifeboats, davit-launched and throw-overboard liferafts. Must accommodate 100% of all persons on board on each side of a cargo ship (200% total).
Division 2: Personal LSA
Lifebuoys (distributed across deck and bridge), Lifejackets (100% crew + watchkeepers + 5% at muster), Immersion Suits (100% crew + watchkeepers), and Thermal Protective Aids (TPAs) for survival craft.
Division 3: Distress Signalling
Pyrotechnics (12 rocket parachute flares on bridge, 4 in rafts, 6 hand flares), 9 GHz Radar SARTs (min 2), 406 MHz satellite EPIRBs with HRU, and two-way GMDSS VHF transceivers (min 3 for >500 GT).
Division 4: General LSA
Line Throwing Apparatus (4 projectiles ≥ 230 m), Emergency Escape Breathing Devices (EEBD in machinery & accommodation), SCABA firefighting sets, and the General Emergency Alarm.

2. Personal LSA & Their SOLAS Requirements

Personal Life-Saving Appliances safeguard individual crew members against drowning, hypothermia, and cold-water shock during abandoning and sea survival. The LSA Code establishes precise dimensional, buoyancy, drop-test, and thermal insulation thresholds that every marine engineer and deck officer must know cold.

800 / 400 mm Lifebuoy OD / ID Dimensions
2.5 to 6 kg Lifebuoy Statutory Mass
14.5 kg / 24 h Iron Buoyancy Support Test
≤ 1 min / ≤ 2 min Donning: Lifejacket / Immersion
4.5 m Statutory Jump Height
SOLAS LIFEBUOY SPECIFICATIONS & RAPID-RELEASE MOB BRACKET LSA Code Chapter 2 • 800/400 mm Dimensions • 14.5 kg Fresh Water Test • 30 m Bridge Release Marker M/V OCEAN TITAN MONROVIA OUTER DIAMETER: ≤ 800 mm ID: ≥ 400 mm BRIDGE WING QUICK-RELEASE MOB STATION MASS ≥ 4.3 kg MOB MARKER Smoke 15 min Light 2 cd / 2h Bridge Release Wire Trip Lanyard STATUTORY QUANTITIES (CARGO SHIPS): L < 100 m = 8 buoys • 100–150 m = 10 buoys • 150–200 m = 12 buoys • > 200 m = 14 buoys. At least 1 on each side with buoyant lifeline (≥ 30 m / 2× stowage height); at least 50% with self-igniting lights; at least 2 with quick-release light/smoke markers operable from bridge.
Figure 2: SOLAS Lifebuoy Engineering Specifications & Quick-Release MOB Bridge Station. Lifebuoy outer diameter is capped at 800 mm with an inner bore of at least 400 mm. For bridge wing release, the buoy must weigh at least 4.3 kg to release the pin of the combination smoke/light marker (emitting orange smoke for 15 minutes and 2-candela light for 2 hours) upon free fall from up to 30 metres.

Personal Life-Saving Appliances Performance Comparison

Appliance Donning Time Jump Height Thermal & Buoyancy Performance Mandatory Accessories
SOLAS Lifejacket ≤ 1 minute unassisted by ≥ 75% of persons 4.5 metres into water without damage or dislodgement Turns unconscious face-down person to face-up in ≤ 5 seconds; mouth 120 mm above water; buoyancy loss ≤ 5% in 24 h Non-sparking whistle, retro-reflective tape, manual/auto light (0.75 cd ≥ 8 h), buddy line, lifting loop
Immersion Suit (Insulated) ≤ 2 minutes without assistance 4.5 metres Core body temperature drop ≤ 2.0°C after 6 hours in calm circulating water at 0°C to 2°C; covers entire body except face Attached whistle, certified flashing light, waterproof zipper with lubricant, attached mittens/gloves
Anti-Exposure Suit ≤ 2 minutes 4.5 metres Body core temperature drop ≤ 1.5°C/hour in 5°C water after initial 30 min; lateral vision ≥ 120°; pocket for VHF Hood, gloves, whistle, light, pocket for 2-way VHF walkie-talkie (used by rescue boat crews)
Thermal Protective Aid (TPA) Unpacked and donned in ≤ 2 min in raft Not applicable (removed before swimming) Thermal conductance ≤ 7,800 W/(m²·K); reduces convective and evaporative heat loss from −30°C to +20°C Aluminized reflective interior, tear-open vacuum packaging, covers whole body wearing lifejacket

3. Distress Signalling: Pyrotechnics, SART, EPIRB & GMDSS

Distress signalling equipment ensures immediate global satellite alerting and close-range tactical homing for Search and Rescue (SAR) forces. SOLAS Chapter III Part B mandates a multi-layered signalling architecture combining electronic radio beacons (EPIRB), radar transponders (SART), two-way GMDSS VHF transceivers, and pyrotechnic distress signals.

406 MHz / 121.5 MHz EPIRB Satellite Alert / Homing
9.2–9.5 GHz SART 3 cm X-Band Radar Frequency
12 Blips / 0.6 NM SART Radar Screen Display Format
≥ 300 m / 30,000 cd Rocket Parachute Flare Altitude / Light
96 h + 8 h SART Battery: Standby + Active
9 GHz SART RADAR PPI RESPONSE VS 406 MHz SATELLITE EPIRB ARCHITECTURE SOLAS III Reg 6 & IV Reg 7 • 12-Dot Radial Signature • Cospas-Sarsat Polar Orbiting Global Distress Alerting OWN SHIP 12 DOTS • 0.6 NM SPACING First dot = SART exact position COSPAS-SARSAT 406 MHz TELEMETRY SATELLITE EPIRB 406 MHz (5W) Downlink LUT / RCC MMSI + GPS Pos 121.5 MHz Secondary Analog Homing for SAR Helicopters PYROTECHNIC MANDATE: Bridge: 12 rocket parachute flares (≥ 300 m, 30,000 cd, 40 s) • Lifeboat: 4 rocket parachute flares, 6 hand flares (15,000 cd, 1 min), 2 buoyant smoke signals (3 min, no flame). Pyrotechnics have a mandatory 3-year maximum service lifespan; expired flares must be landed ashore or safely disposed of per flag-state rules.
Figure 3: 9 GHz Radar SART Interrogation Response & Cospas-Sarsat EPIRB Distress Telemetry. The SART responds to shipborne 3 cm X-band radar sweeps by producing a radial line of 12 dots spaced at 0.6 nautical mile intervals, morphing into concentric rings as rescue vessels close within 1 NM. The 406 MHz EPIRB broadcasts digital vessel identification (MMSI) and GPS position via satellites to Rescue Coordination Centres (RCC).

Pyrotechnic Distress Signalling Performance Criteria

Pyrotechnic Type Statutory Allocation Altitude / Throw Luminous Intensity & Duration Visual Appearance & Test Criteria
Rocket Parachute Flare 12 on Navigating Bridge; 4 in each lifeboat/liferaft Ejected vertically to ≥ 300 metres altitude ≥ 30,000 candela for not less than 40 seconds Bright vivid red flare; parachute descent rate ≤ 5 m/s; 3-year expiry; water-resistant integral ignition
Hand Flare 6 in each lifeboat/liferaft (3 for short international voyages) Held by hand at arm's length downwind ≥ 15,000 candela for not less than 1 minute Vivid red flame; visibility 5–8 NM; continues burning after 10 s submersion under 100 mm water
Buoyant Smoke Signal 2 in each lifeboat/liferaft Floats freely on water surface Dense orange smoke for not less than 3 minutes Uniform orange smoke cloud; no open flame during discharge; continues operating after 10 s submersion

4. General LSA, Alarms & Maintenance

General Life-Saving Appliances encompass shipboard emergency transit, compartmental escape, and ship-to-ship line transfer. All LSA items are bound by the vessel's Planned Maintenance System (PMS), requiring scheduled weekly visual checks, monthly operational verifications, and annual surveyor certifications recorded in the Official Log Book.

≥ 230 m Line Throwing Apparatus Range
≥ 10 min EEBD Escape Breathing Air Duration
200 / 300 bar SCABA Working Pressure
7 Short + 1 Long General Emergency Alarm Signal
1.5 to 4.0 m HRU Automatic Hydrostatic Trip Depth
EMERGENCY ESCAPE BREATHING DEVICE (EEBD) & LINE THROWING APPARATUS (LTA) SOLAS II-2 Reg 13.3 & III Reg 18 • 10-Minute Constant Air Flow Hood • 45° Trajectory ≥ 230 m Line Rocket EEBD (CONSTANT FLOW ESCAPE HOOD) 2 L / 200 BAR (400L) Auto Pin (Pull Strap) CLEAR VISOR Neck Seal CONSTANT FLOW ≥ 35 L/MIN 10 Min Duration • ESCAPE ONLY (NO FIREFIGHTING) LINE THROWING APPARATUS (LTA) FLAKED LINE (≥ 230 m) Breaking Load ≥ 2 kN SOLID ROCKET Trigger & Safety Pin 4 Sets per Vessel • Stowed on Bridge CRITICAL STATUTORY DISTINCTION: An EEBD is strictly for evacuation from toxic/smoke spaces; it must NEVER be used for firefighting or entering enclosed voids (no demand valve, limited 10-minute air).
Figure 4: General Life-Saving Appliances Engineering Cutaway. Left: Emergency Escape Breathing Device (EEBD) with automatic strap-activated valve delivering continuous flow (35–40 L/min) for at least 10 minutes into a flame-retardant hood. Right: Line Throwing Apparatus (LTA) rocket launcher carrying 230 metres of 2 kN breaking strain line, deployed at 45° elevation to establish ship-to-ship or ship-to-shore links.

Comparison: EEBD vs SCABA Breathing Apparatus

Operational Parameter Emergency Escape Breathing Device (EEBD) Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCABA)
Primary Purpose Escape only from spaces filled with smoke or toxic gases Firefighting, damage control, and enclosed space entry
Air Supply Duration Minimum 10 minutes constant flow Minimum 30 minutes (typically 1,200 L / 2,040 L air)
Air Delivery Mechanism Constant flow orifice (approx. 35–40 L/min) Two-stage demand regulator delivering positive pressure (+3.5 mbar)
Facepiece Assembly Loose-fitting flame-retardant hood with elastic neck seal Tight-fitting full-face mask with panoramic visor and inner oro-nasal cup
Statutory Allocation Min 2 in accommodation; min 2 in engine room escape trunks + training sets Min 2 complete sets per ship (fireman's outfits) with 200% spare charges
Permitted for Firefighting? STRICTLY PROHIBITED MANDATORY

Oral Examination Viva Bank: SOLAS Chapter III & LSA Code

What are the dimensions, drop test, and buoyancy requirements for a SOLAS Lifebuoy?
A SOLAS lifebuoy must have an outer diameter ≤ 800 mm, an inner diameter ≥ 400 mm, and a mass between 2.5 kg and 6.0 kg (minimum 4.3 kg for bridge wing quick-release units). It must withstand a drop from its stowed height or 30 metres (whichever is greater) into water without damage, and support at least 14.5 kg of iron in fresh water for 24 continuous hours.
How does an X-band Radar SART present on a searching vessel's radar PPI?
When interrogated by a 9 GHz (3 cm X-band) radar, the SART transmits a swept-frequency reply that appears on the radar PPI as a radial line of 12 dots spaced at intervals of 0.6 nautical miles. The first dot closest to the centre indicates the exact position of the survival craft. As the searching ship approaches within approximately 1 nautical mile, the dots broaden into wide arcs and eventually complete concentric circles.
What are the statutory operational parameters of an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB)?
The EPIRB transmits an encoded digital distress signal on 406.025 MHz (5 watts) via Cospas-Sarsat satellites containing the vessel's MMSI and GPS position (±50 m). It includes a 121.5 MHz analog transmitter for close-range homing by SAR aircraft, operates continuously for at least 48 hours, and is mounted in an auto-release bracket fitted with a Hydrostatic Release Unit (HRU) that trips at a depth of 1.5 to 4.0 metres if the ship sinks.
Can an EEBD be used to enter a space to fight a fire or rescue an unconscious casualty?
Never. An EEBD is strictly an escape apparatus providing constant air for only 10 minutes. It does not deliver positive-pressure on demand, cannot accommodate heavy breathing workloads, and lacks firefighting certifications. Firefighting and rescue require a full Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCABA) with positive-pressure mask and low-pressure alarm whistle.