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RightShip Guide

THE DEEPDRAFT · RIGHTSHIP PREPARATION

Lifebuoys, signals and line-throwing equipment

RISQ 4.42Section 4 · ISM System

Applicability: All vessel types; apply the equipment and operational conditions stated in this entry.

What is being checked

Lifesaving signals and recovery equipment are complete and ready.

Ready on board

0 / 6 checked

Check the vessel’s actual procedures, equipment and records against these points from RISQ 3.2.

Check lifebuoy numbers by length: below 100 m, eight; 100 to under 150 m, ten; 150 to under 200 m, twelve; 200 m and over, fourteen.Provide a line-equipped buoy on each side with buoyant line at least twice its stowage height above the lightest seagoing waterline or 30 m, whichever is greater.Fit self-igniting lights to at least half the buoys; at least two of these have self-activating smoke and bridge quick release. Distribute light/smoke buoys equally on both sides and keep them separate from line-equipped buoys.Keep 12 rocket parachute flares on/near the bridge and the illustrated lifesaving-signal table readily available to the OOW; check equipment condition and service life.Have a compliant immediately usable line-throwing appliance with line and rocket together and any transport disassembly corrected.Label LSA stowage with the appropriate IMO symbols and device numbers where more than one is stored.

Practice questions

Preparation prompts derived from this entry, not an official inspector interview script.

1Can a lifebuoy count toward both the line-equipped and light/smoke allocation?

The PDF specifies that the light/smoke buoys must not be those provided with lifelines.

2What delivery issue can leave a line thrower unready?

Units may arrive dismantled for transport. The inspector checks reassembly and correctly positioned rockets for immediate use.

Where a finding may arise

Missing evidence, ineffective implementation or defects in the arrangements listed above may prevent a satisfactory answer to this question.

Past observations for practice

Anonymised reports, manually reviewed before publication. These are reported experiences, not additional inspection requirements.

No reviewed observations have been added for this entry.

Share an observation for private review

Remove vessel, company and inspector names, report numbers, exact dates and confidential information. Do not paste a complete inspection report.

References and source status

RightShip Inspection Ship Questionnaire, November 2025, version 3.2. Section 4, page 69, reference 4.42.

The explanation, checklist and practice answer derive from the supplied questionnaire. Reported observations are separately contributed and manually reviewed; they are not official RISQ guidance.

Independent DeepDraft preparation guide, based on the supplied RISQ 3.2 questionnaire. Not an official RightShip product or inspection report.