SOLAS CH.3 Regulation 7
Personal life-saving appliances
FOR Passenger and Cargo ships
Personal life-saving appliances
1. Lifebuoys
1.1 Lifebuoys complying with the requirements of paragraph 2.1.1 of the Code.
1.1.1 so distributed as to be readily available on both sides of the ship and as far as practicable on all open decks extending to the ship’s side; at least one shall be placed in the vicinity of the stern; and
1.1.2 so stowed as to be capable of being rapidly cast loose, and not permanently secured in any way.
1.2 At least one lifebuoy on each side of the ship shall be fitted with a buoyant lifeline complying with the requirements of paragraph 2.1.4 of Part B: Code equal in length to not less than twice the height at which it is stowed above the waterline in the lightest seagoing condition, or 30 m, whichever is the greater.
1.3 Not less than one half of the total number of lifebuoys shall be provided with lifebuoy self-igniting light complying with the requirements of paragraph 2.1.2 of the Code; not less than two of these shall also be provided with lifebuoy self-activating smoke signals complying with the requirements of paragraph 2.1.3 of the Code and be capable of quick release from the navigation bridge; lifebuoys with lights and those with light and smoke signals shall be equally distributed on both sides of the ship and shall not be the lifebuoys provided with lifelines in compliance with the requirements of paragraph 1.2.
1.4 Each lifebuoy shall be marked in block capitals of the Roman alphabet with the name and port of registry of the ship on which it is carried.
FOR CARGO SHIPS
SOLAS CH.3 Reg. 32
Personal life-saving appliances
1 Lifebuoy
1.1 Cargo ships shall carry not less than the number of lifebuoys complying with the requirements of regulation 7.1 and section 2.1 of the Code prescribed in the following table:
1.2 Self-igniting lights for lifebuoys on tankers required by regulation 7.1.3 shall be of an electric battery type.