(v) The volume of buoyancy units required shall be determined in accordance with the method set forth for buoyancy tanks in § 160.035-11(b) (2).

(8) Built-in buoyancy tanks. (i) A bolted inspection plate shall be provided in such a location that the tank will be accessible for inspection and repair.

(ii) The tops and sides of all built-in buoyancy tanks shall not be less than 14 USSG, except that 16 USSG may be used at the ends if severe forming is necessary. All bulkheads of built-in buoyancy tanks shall be not less than 16 USSG.

The

The

(iii) Each built-in buoyancy tank shall be filled with buoyancy material. amount of material required shall be determined by the flooding test in accordance with § 160.035-11(b)(2). buoyancy materials used shall meet the requirements set forth for core materials in subparagraph (7)(ii) of this paragraph.

(v) Equipment stowage. (1) Provision lockers, water tanks, and special equipment lockers shall be watertight and so designed and located as to fit under the side benches, end benches, or footings without projecting into the accommodation spaces of the lifeboat. In special cases, stowage under the thwarts will be permitted. Standard 1/4-inch pipe size testing nipples shall be fitted to all such lockers or tanks.

(2) Water tanks shall be constructed of at least 18 USSG material. An opening with a dogged type cover shall be provided for removal of water cans. This opening shall be at least 7 inches in diameter, but in any case shall be of sufficient size that all water cans can be removed. In addition, built-in water tanks shall have an opening at least 13 inches in diameter with a bolted cover for the purpose of inspection and maintenance. A 2-inch diameter fill cap shall be installed for the purpose of storing rain water. A standard 1⁄4-inch pipe size drainage nipple with hexagonal cap shall be fitted in the bottom of the tank in an accessible location and may be used for air testing the water tank.

(w) Grab rails. (1) Grab rails shall be substantially attached to each life

boat below the turn of the bilge and extend approximately one-half of the length of the lifeboat on each side. The ends of the grab rails shall be faired to prevent fouling and all connections of the rails to the lifeboat shall be made by riveting the palms of the brackets to a small plate and riveting the plate to the shell. To prevent rupture of the shell if the grab rail is carried away, more rivets shall be used in attaching the plate to the shell than in fastening the bracket to the plate. The clearance between the grab rail pipe and the hull shall be at least 11⁄2 inches. The connections of the rails to a fibrous glass reinforced plastic lifeboat hull, will be given special consideration.

(x) Hand rails. (1) All lifeboats intended for use in ocean and coastwise service shall be fitted with hand rails approximately 18 inches in length, constructed and attached to the lifeboat in the same manner as the grab rails required by paragraph (w) of this section. The clearance between the hand rail pipe and the hull shall be at least 11⁄2 inches. The hand rails shall be located approximately parallel to and at both ends of the grab rails and spaced midway between the grab rail and the gunwale and midway between the grab rail and the keel on both sides of the lifeboat, provided that, when the distance from grab rail to gunwale or to the keel exceeds 4 feet, two hand rails shall be fitted so as to provide equal spacing. In no case shall the hand rails project beyond the widest part of the boat. Recessed hand rails or other alternate arrangements will be given consideration.

§ 160.035-4 Construction of steel handpropelled lifeboats.

(a) A hand-propelled lifeboat shall comply with all the requirements for an oar-propelled lifeboat, and in addition, shall have sufficient additional buoyancy to compensate for the weight of the hand-propelling gear.

(b) The hand-propelling gear shall be of an approved type and shall be substantially constructed and securely fitted in the lifeboat. The design shall be such that the lifeboat may be readily maneuvered from the ship's side after being launched and steerage way maintained under adverse weather conditions. Provisions shall be made for going astern. The hand-propelling gear shall propel

the lifeboat with only a normal amount of effort while maintaining an average speed of not less than 3 knots over a measured course of not less than 1,000 feet.

(c) The hand-propelling gear shall be so designed that it may be operated by persons untrained in its use, and shall be operable when the boat is flooded.

(d) For construction of Hand-Propelling Gear, See Subpart 160.034.

§ 160.035-5 Construction of steel motor-propelled lifeboats with and without radio cabin.

(a) General provisions applicable to all motor-propelled lifeboats. (1) A motor-propelled lifeboat, carried as part of the lifesaving equipment of a vessel, whether required or not, shall comply with all the requirements for an oarpropelled lifeboat, and in addition, shall have sufficient additional buoyancy to compensate for the weight of the engine and other equipment.

(2) The engine shall be enclosed in a suitable engine box which shall be watertight with the exception of the top which may be weathertight. If the engine box is made of material other than steel or aluminum, such as fibrous glass reinforced plastic, it shall be made of fire retardant material. The top of the engine box shall be fitted with a screwdown mushroom vent. The engine box shall be fitted with a suitable drain. There shall be ample space between the engine and the engine box to permit proper maintenance and removal of engine accessories when necessary. If the internal arrangements of the engine in the engine box does not permit this, then suitable watertight hand-hole plates shall be installed in the vicinity of these accessories. The location of these plates and the accessibility to the accessories shall be to the satisfaction of the marine inspector. The marine inspector may require the removal of any accessory through these hand-hole plates that he may deem necessary to establish that it is of proper size and location.

(3) Fuel tanks shall be constructed of steel, fibrous glass reinforced plastic or other approved equivalent. Fuel tanks shall be adequately supported and securely fastened inside the lifeboat to pre

vent any movement. Fuel tanks shall have no openings in the bottom, sides or ends. Openings for fill, vent and feed pipes shall be on the top surface of the tanks. The access openings in the thwarts for the fill tank cap shall have a flush cover or the top of the cap shall be flush with the top of the thwart. Fuel tanks shall be provided with a shut off valve at the tank, where it is readily accessible and the location marked. Tanks shall be designed with a factor of safety of not less than 4, and shall be tested by a static head above the tank top of 10 feet of water without showing leakage or permanent deformation. A graduated measurement stick or other means shall be provided to determine the amount of fuel in the tank.

(i) Steel diesel oil fuel tanks shall have a thickness of not less than 12 USSG and shall not be galvanized on the inside; however, the outside of such tanks shall be so treated as to to obtain a corrosion resistance approximately equivalent to hot-dip galvanizing. Swash plates shall be fitted in tanks over 30 inches in length.

(ii) Fibrous glass reinforced plastic diesel oil fuel tanks shall have a thickness of not less than 0.187 inch. The resins used shall be of a fire retardant type and shall qualify under military specification MIL-R-21607. The mechanical properties of the tank shall not be less than Grade No. 4 of military specification MIL-P-17549. Mat, woven roving and 1000th cloth shall be used. Tank laminates shall not be constructed exclusively with fibrous glass fabrics. An increment of random oriented, chopped fibrous glass reinforcement is deemed necessary to prevent porosity. An ounce and a half per square foot is considered minimum. Inclusion of fabrics in low pressure laminates are recommended to impart satisfactory containment, strength, and rigidity. For maximum strength, tank surfaces should be cambered and curved wherein practical. Fittings shall be made of nonferrous metal and securely bonded to the tank with epoxy resin. fibrous glass reinforced plate or boss of the same thickness as the tank proper and 12 times the outside dimensions of the fitting shall be used to strengthen the openings for fuel, fill and vent lines.

A

Tanks shall be constructed of a minimum possible number of sections. Where two parts are joined there shall be a minimum of 2-inch overlap. Tanks exceeding 18 inches in any horizontal dimension shall be fitted with vertical baffle plates at intervals not exceeding 18 inches. Baffle plate flanges shall be integral and shall be of the same strength and stiffness as the tank wall. Flanges shall be bonded in place with mat and fabric. A suitable striking plate shall be installed at the bottom of the fuel measurement and fill pipe line. The laminate may be increased in thickness, in the way of the fill pipe. The cover of the fuel tank shall be through bolted as well as bonded. All fuel tanks shall bear legible, permanent labels, conveniently located for visual inspection, signifying full compliance with these specifications and including the following:

(a) Manufacturer's name and address. (b) Date of construction and the inspector's initials.

(c) Wall thickness (in decimals of one inch) and capacity U.S. gallons.

(d) Material of construction: Polyester-Glass.

(4) Propeller shafting shall be of bronze or other suitable corrosion resistant materials. Fittings, pipes, connections, etc., shall be of high standard and good workmanship, and installed in accordance with good marine practice. The exhaust manifold shall be suitably insulated.

(5) All engines shall be permanently installed and shall be equipped with an efficient cranking system. This system shall be one that can be operated by hand, such as a hand cranking, hydraulic cranking, or inertia cranking system, acceptable to the Commandant. If an electric cranking system consisting of an electric starter motor, generator and batteries are fitted, it shall be in addition to the required acceptable cranking system, the battery or batteries shall be installed within the watertight engine box. The battery box shall be so constructed as to retain the battery in position when the lifeboat is in a seaway. The battery box shall be 1 inch longer and 1 inch wider than the battery and shall be lined with 4-pound lead flashed

up 3 inches on the sides and ends. The battery box may be made of fibrous glass reinforced plastic using a fire-retardant epoxy resin. This type of battery box will not be required to be lead lined.

(i) Engines. The engine shall be a reliable, marine, compression-ignition type and shall be capable of propelling the fully equipped and loaded lifeboat at a sustained speed of not less than 6 knots through smooth water over a measured course. Provision shall be made for going astern. Sufficient fuel for 24 hours continuous operation at 6 knots shall be provided. The engine used in approved lifeboats shall be capable of being started without the use of starting aids at a temperature of 20° F., by the use of an acceptable cranking system. If water cooled, the engine shall be equipped with a closed fresh water cooling system. This system shall be cooled by a secondary medium, such as a water cooled heat exchanger.

(ii) The hydraulic cranking system shall be a self-contained system which will provide the required cranking forces and engine r.p.m. as recommended by the engine manufacturer. The capacity of the hydraulic cranking system shall provide not less than six cranking cycles. Each cranking cycle shall provide the necessary number of revolutions at the required r.p.m. to the engine to meet the requirements of carrying its full rated load within twenty seconds after cranking is initiated with intake air and hydraulic cranking system at 20° F. Capacity of the hydraulic cranking system sufficient for three cranking cycles under the above conditions, shall be held in reserve and arranged so that the operation of a single control by one person will isolate the discharged or initially used part of the system and permit the reserve capacity to be employed. The hydraulic cranking system shall consist of a hydraulic cranking motor, control valve, high pressure filter, 3-gallon reservoir (minimum), hand pump, and two accumulators (with protective relief valves) of a minimum capacity of 12 gallons each. Each accumulator shall be fitted with an adequate pressure gauge (5,000 p.s.i.), located in such a position that it

can readily be seen by the engine operator. The hand operated recharging pump shall be located to provide easy attachment and unobstructed operation of the portable handle. The installation of an engine-driven pump is recommended but is not required. The hydraulic cranking system shall meet the requirements outlined in §§ 54.01-1(e), 54.01-1(e) (3), 55.17, 57.05-1, 61.25-5 (c),1 61.25-20, 61.30-5(d),1 61.30-10 (c),' and 61.40-5 of this chapter.

(6) The following tools to perform emergency repairs and ordinary servicing shall be provided:

One 12 oz. ball peen hammer.

One screwdriver with 6-inch blade. One pair of 8-inch slip joint pliers. One 8-inch adjustable end wrench. One Phillips or cross head screwdriver with a 6-inch blade.

(b) Steel motor-propelled lifeboats without radio cabin or searchlight (Class 1). (1) The engine shall be a reliable marine type and shall be in accordance with paragraph (a) (5) (i) of this section. If a starting battery is supplied, the engine shall be fitted with a marine type generator or alternator insulated as required by AIEE rules for marine service capable of charging the starting batteries. The battery box shall be in accordance with paragraph (a) (5) of this section.

(c) Steel motor-propelled lifeboats without radio cabin but with searchlight (Class 2). (1) The engine shall be of a reliable marine type and shall be in accordance with paragraph (a) (5) (i) of this section. The lifeboat shall be equipped with a searchlight constructed in accordance with Subpart 161.006 of this Subchapter Q (Specifications). The engine shall be fitted with a marine type generator or alternator insulated as required by AIEE rules for marine service capable of charging the batteries used for the searchlight as well as the starting batteries, if fitted. The battery box shall be in accordance with paragraph (a) (5) of this section.

1 The hydraulic system when used in lifeboats as engine cranking systems shall be leak-tested at the specified operating pressure after installation.

(d) Steel motor-propelled lifeboats with radio cabin and searchlight (Class 3). (1) The engine shall be a reliable, marine type and shall be in accordance with paragraph (a) (5) (i) of this section. The engine shall be fitted with a marine type generator or alternator insulated as required by AIEE rules for marine service, capable of charging the batteries used for the radio and searchlight as well as the starting battery, if fitted.

(2) The radio and source of power for the radio and the searchlight shall be housed and protected from the elements by a suitable radio cabin. The entire installation shall comply with the requirements of the Federal Communications Commission, Rules Governing Stations on Shipboard in the Maritime Services. The radio cabin shall be of a size to contain the radio and source of power for the radio and searchlight, and the operator of the equipment. The top and sides of the radio cabin shall be watertight with the exception of the door which need not be watertight but shall be at least weathertight. The installation of the radio cabin shall take into consideration the concentration of weight in this area.

(3) The searchlight shall be of an approved type constructed in accordance with specification Subpart 161.006 of this subchapter and shall be securely mounted on top of the radio cabin.

(4) The batteries shall be installed in a box securely fastened inside the radio cabin. The battery box shall be in accordance with paragraph (a) (5) of this section.

§ 160.035-6 Construction of aluminum oar-, hand-, and motor-propelled lifeboats.

(a) General. Aluminum lifeboats shall comply with the general requirements for the construction and arrangement of steel lifeboats unless otherwise specified.

(b) Specifications. The following specifications and schedules of lifeboat material, including Tables 160.035-6, and 160.035-6(d) (1) shall be complied with unless other arrangements in matters of construction details, design, and strength equivalent in safety and efficiency are approved by the Commandant.

1 Extruded shapes having substantially the scantlings of the angle bar gunwale are permitted. Where extruded shapes are used, a nosing as per§ 160.035-3(j) is not required provided the extruded shape has at its heel a generously rounded curve.

2 Brown and Sharpe gage decimal values: 15 gage equals 0.05707; 14 gage equals 0.06408; 13 gage equals 0.07196; 12 gage equals 0.08081; 11 gage equals 0.09074; 10 gage equals 0.1019; 9 gage equals 0.1144; 8 gage equals 0.1285; 7 gage equals 0.1443; and 6 gage equals 0.1620.