IMMERSION SUITS

IMMERSION SUITS

With respect to passenger ships constructed before 1 July 1986 the requirements shall not apply until 1 July 1991

Passengers ships shall carry for each lifeboat on the ship at least three immersion suits which comply with the regulations. In addition a thermal protective aid must be provided for every other person who is to be accommodated in the lifeboats, who is not provided with an immersion suit.

These immersion suits and thermal protective aids need not be carried if:

a. persons are to be accommodated in totally or partially enclosed lifeboats.
b. If the ship is constantly engaged on voyages in warm climates where in the opinion of authority, thermal protective aids are unnecessary.

With respect to the rescue boat of passengers and cargo ships, each person assigned to the crew of a rescue boat will be provided with an immersion suit of appropriate size, which complies with the regulations.

Cargo ships shall carry for each lifeboat on the ship at least three immersion suits which comply with the regulations, or, if the Authority considers it necessary and practicable, one immersion suit for every person on board the ship.

However, in addition to immersion suits required for life rafts, lifeboats and rescue boats the vessel shall carry thermal protective aids for persons not provided with immersions suits.

These immersion suits and thermal protective aids not be required if the ship:

a. has totally enclosed boats on each side of the ship of such aggregate capacity as will accommodate the total number of persons aboard; or
b. has totally enclosed lifeboats capable of being launched by free fall over the stern of the ship of such aggregate capacity will directly from the stowed position, together with life rafts on each side of the ship of such aggregate capacity as will accommodate the total number of persons aboard; or
c. is constantly engaged on voyage in warm climate where in the opinion of the Authority, immersion suits are unnecessary.

Cargo ships of less than 85 m length other than oil tankers, chemical tankers and gas carriers, shall carry immersions suits for every person on board which complies with the regulations unless the ship:

a. has davit launched life rafts; or
b. has life raft equipped with equipped with equivalent approve appliances, capable of being used on both sides of the ship and which do not require entry in to the water to board the life raft; or
c. is constantly engaged on voyages in warm climates where in the opinion of the Authority, immersion suits are unnecessary.

Life rafts shall be provided with thermal protective aids which comply with the regulations, sufficient for 10 percent of the number of persons the raft is permitted to carry or two whichever is greater.

Lifeboats shall be provided with thermal protective aids which comply with the regulations, sufficient for 10 percent of the number of persons the lifeboat is permitted to accommodate or two, whichever is greater.

General Requirements for Immersion Suits

1. The immersion suits shall be constructed with waterproof material so that:

a. It can be unpacked and donned without assistance within 2 minutes taking into account any associated clothing and a lifejacket if the immersion suits is to be worn in conjunction with lifejacket.
b. It will not sustain or continue melting after being totally enveloped in a fire for a 2 second period.
c. It will cover the whole body with exceptions of the face. Hands shall also be covered unless permanently attached globes are provided.
d. It is provided with arrangements to minimize or reduce free air in the legs of the suit.
e. Following a jump from a height of not less than 4.5 m into the water there is no ingress of water.

2. An immersion suit, which complies with regulations concerning lifejackets, may be classified as a lifejacket.

3. An immersion suit shall permit the person wearing it, and also wearing a lifejacket, if the suit is to be worn in conjunction with a lifejacket to:

a. Climb down a vertical ladder at least 5 m in length;
b. Perform normal duties during abandonment;
c. Jump from a height of no less than 4.5 m into the water without damaging or dislodging the immersion suit or being injured;
d. Swim a short distance through the water and board a survival craft.

4. An immersion suits which has buoyancy and which is designed to be worn without a lifejacket shall be fitted with a light and whistle than comply with the lifejacket regulations.

5. If the immersion suit is designed to be worn in conjunction with a lifejacket, the lifejacket should be worn over the immersion suit. The person wearing such an immersion shall be able to done a lifejacket.

· Offshore survival suit/survival suit (for platforms and ships respectively)
· Name of the manufacturer
· Model number
· Serial number of the suit
· Production date
· The ships name and place of registration
· Approved by the Maritime Directorate

Under normal conditions, it should be possible to unpack the survival suit and put it on without assistance in the course of one minute.

If the survival suit is to remain waterproof, you have to follow the users guide carefully. Ensure that:

You put the hood on the right way and that the zip is completely locked
You make the hood fir very carefully if you have a beard
The zip is treated with bees wax or acid free fat
You keep and maintain the suit

Drilling vessels and other mobile installations should have at least an emergency ladder for each lifesaving station. Fixed emergency ladders should preferably be placed on each corner column or leg and reach from the deck to the lowest applicable water.

At least one personnel net should be located on each installations. The net should be placed so that it is easily available and should as far as possible be ready for attachment to a crane in the event that persons are to be hoisted from the sea.

Rescue basket

Both the installation and the rescue vessels be equipped with a rescue basket for hoisting up persons from the sea. The basket should be placed under an approved crane arrangement. The rescue basket should have the biggest possible opening, and it must be able to be lowered so deep, into the water that persons in the water easily can slip into the basket. Parts of metal or other hard materials must be satisfactorily upholstered, and the hoisting arrangement should be designed so that person in the basket will not be injured.

The basket is constructed to pick up several persons at a time. The picking up of injured people can be done either by unmanned rescue basket. Most rescue baskets are constructed to unmanned. The basket is then lowered into the water, so that it can float down to the distressed person which will be able to get into the basket. The crane operator could also try to pick up the person in the water. This could be dangerous if the person is unconscious, because one does not know what injuries he/she has. In such cases, it is advisable that the rescue basket is manned.