1. Lifejackets should be of the solid-filled type, or should have automatic gas inflation and at least 150 Newtons buoyancy. One lifejacket per person carried, fitted with light, whistle and reflective tape.
2. Liferafts should either be float free, fitted with an hydrostatic release unit (HRU), or stowed in a position where it is accessible for deployment in an emergency. It/they should have a capacity sufficient for the total number of persons on board.
3. Lifebuoys should be marked with the vessel name and port of registry, or identification or fishing vessel number, and fitted with reflective tape and may be circular or horseshoe in shape.
4. Flares and smoke signals should be of an acceptable type and within their expiry date.
5. Fixed fire-extinguishing systems should be an approved system or a fixed fire extinguisher of sufficient capacity arranged to discharge directly into the machinery space.
6. Navigation lights and sound signals—
(1) Any vessel that operates between sunset and sunrise or in times of restricted visibility must exhibit the navigation and fishing lights prescribed in the Distress Signals and Prevention of Collision Regulations.
(2) For power-driven vessels of less than 12m in length—
(a) A masthead light or all round white light of 2-mile range, is to be at least 1 metre higher than sidelights;
(b) Sidelights of 1 mile range at a height above the uppermost continuous deck not greater than three-quarters the height of the masthead light;
(c) A stern light of 2-mile range, if the masthead light (in paragraph (a)) is carried;
(d) An all-round white anchor light of 2 mile range is required if anchored in or near a narrow channel, fairway or anchorage, or where other vessels normally navigate.
(3) Alternatively, a vessel under 7 metres, with speed less than 7 knots may, instead of the above lights, exhibit one all-round white light of 2 mile range and if practical, sidelights or a combination lantern.
(4) For power-driven vessels 12-20m in length—
(a) A masthead light of 3-mile range, is to be at least 1 metre higher than sidelights and not less than 2.5m above the gunwale;
(b) Sidelights of 2 mile range at a height above the uppermost continuous deck not greater than three-quarters the height of the masthead light;
(c) A stern light of 2-mile rang;
(d) An all-round white anchor light of 2 mile range.
(5) For power-driven vessels of 20-24m in length—
(a) A masthead light of 5-mile range, is to be at least 6 metres above the hull;
(b) Sidelights of 2 mile range at a height above the uppermost continuous deck not greater than three-quarters the height of the masthead light, at or near the side of the vessel and not in front of the masthead light;
(c) A stern light of 2-mile range;
(6) Sailing vessels—
(a) Side lights and a stern light appropriate for the size of vessel;
(b) In a vessel of less than 20m in length, the lights in subparagraph (1) may be combined in one lantern at or near the top of the mast;
(c) Alternatively, a vessel of less than 7m in length may have ready a white light to be shown in sufficient time to prevent collision.
(7) Vessels under oars may exhibit the lights prescribed in subparagraph (3).
(8) For Fishing Vessels—
(a) lights appropriate for the size of vessel referred to in subparagraphs (2) and (7);
(b) An all round white light of 2 miles range when trawling or fishing as referred to in 6.8.4 (that may also on its own be used as a anchor light). Which is to be more than 2 metres above the gunwales and above the sidelights at more than twice the distance between this light and that in subparagraph (c);
(c) An all-round light (green if trawling, red if fishing other than trawling) at least 1 metre above the all-round white light in subparagraph (b) and of 2 mile range.
(9) Sound Signals—
(a) Vessels of 20-24m in length shall be provided with sound signalling appliances audible one mile away.
(b) Vessels of less than 20m in length shall be provided with sound signalling apparatus audible one half mile away.
(c) Vessels of less than 12m are not obliged to carry the sound signalling apparatus in paragraph (b) but shall have some other means of making an efficient sound signal.