Navigation (Life-saving Appliances) Regulations 1935 (Amendment)

Legislation au C1939L00068 Regulations Not in force Legislative Instrument

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STATUTORY RULES.

1939. No. 68.

 

REGULATIONS UNDER THE NAVIGATION ACT 1912-1935.*

I, THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL in and over the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, hereby make the following Regulations under the Navigation Act 1912-1935.

Dated this twenty-third day of August, 1939.

(SGD.) GOWRIE

Governor-General.

By His Excellency’s Command,

Minister of State for Commerce.

 

Amendments of the Navigation (Life-saving Appliances) Regulations.†

Commencement.

1. These Regulations shall come into operation on the first day of January, 1940.

2. Regulation 14 of the Navigation (Life-saving Appliances) Regulations is repealed and the following regulation inserted in its stead:—

Line-throwing apparatus—Class I. ships.

“14. Every ship of Class I. shall carry an approved type of line-throwing apparatus equipped as provided by regulation 69 of these Regulations.”.

3. Regulation 19 of the Navigation (Life-saving Appliances) Regulations is repealed and the following regulation inserted in its stead:—

Line-throwing apparatus—Class II. ships.

“19. A steamship of Class II. of 80 tons gross tonnage and upwards shall carry an approved type of line-throwing apparatus equipped as provided by regulation 69 of these Regulations.”.

Line-throwing apparatus— Class III. ships.

4. Regulation 23 of the Navigation (Life-saving Appliances) Regulations is amended by omitting the word and figure “Class 1”.

5. Regulation 27 of the Navigation (Life-saving Appliances) Regulations is repealed and the following regulation inserted in its stead:—

Line-throwing apparatus—Class IV. ships.

“27. A ship of Class IV. of 80 tons gross tonnage and upwards shall carry an approved type of line-throwing apparatus equipped as provided by regulation 69 of these Regulations.”.

General requirements for buoyant apparatus.

6. Regulation 48 of the Navigation (Life-saving Appliances) Regulations is amended—

(a) by omitting from paragraph (e) of sub-regulation (2.) the word “and”; and

 

* Notified in the Commonwealth Gazette on , 1939.

† Statutory Rules 1935, No. 100, as amended by Statutory Rules 1935, No. 108.

3850.—8/21.7.1939.—Price 3d.


(b) by inserting at the end of sub-regulation (2.) the following paragraph:—

“; and,

(g) It shall be fitted with a painter of sufficient length and at least two inches in circumference connected to the buoyant apparatus by a bowline (not spliced).”.

Equipment of boats.

7. Regulation 50 of the Navigation (Life-saving Appliances) Regulations is amended by omitting from paragraph (d) the words “with lanyard” and inserting in their stead the words “of a capacity of not more than one gill and of such a size as to enable it to be dipped through the bunghole. The dipper shall be attached to the vessel with a lanyard.”.

Equipment of buoyancy apparatus for Class I. ships.

8. Regulation 57 of the Navigation (Life-saving Appliances) Regulations is repealed.

9. Regulation 69 of the Navigation (Life-saving Appliances) Regulations is repealed and the following regulation inserted in its stead:—

Approved line-throwing apparatus.

“69.—(1.) The approved line-throwing apparatus required to be carried under regulations 14, 19, 23 and 27 of these Regulations shall, in the case of ships registered in Australia, comprise the following:—

(a) Four rockets (which shall be known as Class 1 type) each fitted with a suitable stick, tail wire and means of ignition (or other approved apparatus) capable of throwing a line of not less than ⅜-inch circumference a minimum distance of 200 yards in calm weather:

Provided that, in the case of ships under 500 tons gross registered tonnage, four rockets (which shall be known as Class 2 type) fitted in a similar manner (or other approved apparatus) capable of throwing a line of the same size a minimum distance of 120 yards in calm weather, may be carried instead of the Class 1 type;

(b) A suitable trough for holding the rockets while being fired, capable of being set to any elevation or direction;

(c) Four lines (which shall be known as Class 1 type) each of not less than ⅜-inch circumference, not less than 240 yards in length, and having a breaking strain of at least 300 lb.:

Provided that, in the case of ships under 500 tons gross registered tonnage, four lines (which shall be known as Class 2 type) of the same size and strength and not less than 150 yards in length, may be carried instead of the Class 1 type;

(d) Two lengths of manila rope, 1½-inch in circumference, one of 240 fathoms and one of 2 fathoms, connected by means of swivels to form an endless whip running through a tail block of suitable size, the whip being marked as follows:—

A strip of white bunting tucked in strands of the two-fathom length of rope midway between swivels shall indicate point of attachment for the rocket line, and

a strip of red bunting tucked between strands at one hundred and twenty fathoms from the white strip of bunting, shall indicate point of attachment for the breeches buoy;

(e) One breeches buoy (that is, a lifebuoy fitted with canvas sling breeches) securely slung, and fitted with suitable attachment on each side for securing the bight of the endless whip;

(f) Four wooden instruction boards, each about 15 inches by 3¾ inches by ⅜ inch, fitted with spliced-in lanyard of small line three feet long, bearing instructions to persons on shore as to the use of the apparatus, in accordance with Forms L.S.A.-1 and L.S.A.-2 in Schedule III. Two of the boards shall deal with the use of the apparatus with the endless whip referred to in paragraph (d) of this sub-regulation, without hawser, and two shall deal with its use with the endless whip and hawser; and

(g) Illustrated instructions, in accordance with Form L.S.A.-4 in Schedule III. in the case of ships of 500 tons gross tonnage and upwards, and in accordance with Form L.S.A.-5 in Schedule III. in the case of ships under 500 tons gross registered tonnage.


(2.) Each rocket shall be labelled with firing directions, and shall be indelibly stamped with the date of manufacture.

(3.) The rockets, with means of igniting them, and the lines, shall be kept in a watertight case.

(4.) The lines shall be flaked ready for use in a container, and a suitable flaking board for reflaking the lines shall be provided with each equipment.

(5.) A line-throwing type of rocket shall not be approved for the purposes of this regulation if the lateral deflection of the rocket with line attached exceeds 10 per centum of the length of flight in the direction aimed at.

(6.) The provision of an endless whip, tail block and breeches buoy as prescribed in paragraphs (d) and (e) of sub-regulation (1.) of this regulation shall be optional in the case of a passenger ship under 500 tons gross registered tonnage, or a cargo ship, but if such permanent equipment is not provided, adequate provision shall be made to the satisfaction of the surveyor, to ensure that suitable substitute gear will be available if required,”.

10. Regulation 70 of the Navigation (Life-saving Appliances) Regulations is repealed and the following regulation inserted in its stead:—

Line-throwing apparatus for ships not registered in Australia.

“70. In the case of a ship not registered in Australia, engaged on an international voyage, compliance with the regulations relating to line-throwing apparatus of the country to which the ship belongs shall be deemed to be compliance with these Regulations.”.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By Authority: L F. Johnston, Commonwealth Government Printer, Canberra.

Overview

The Statutory Rules 1939, No. 68, are regulations made under the Navigation Act 1912-1935 by the Governor-General, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council. These regulations address the gap in life-saving appliances on ships by amending and introducing new requirements for line-throwing apparatus and buoyant apparatus on different classes of ships. The policy objective is to enhance maritime safety by ensuring that appropriate life-saving equipment is mandated for various ship classes, with specific provisions for ships registered in Australia and those engaged in international voyages. The regulations specify detailed requirements for the design, equipment, and maintenance of line-throwing apparatus, including rockets, lines, and other related components, aiming to ensure that such equipment is reliable and readily available for emergency use.

Scope and Application

The Statutory Rules 1939, No. 68, made under the Navigation Act 1912-1935, pertain to the amendments of the Navigation (Life-saving Appliances) Regulations, which came into operation on 1 January 1940. These Regulations apply to ships registered in Australia, as well as to ships not registered in Australia engaged in international voyages. The regulations mandate specific requirements for line-throwing apparatus on different classes of ships, including Class I, Class II, and Class III ships, as well as general requirements for buoyant apparatus and equipment of boats. The Regulations outline detailed specifications for the equipment, such as the type and size of rockets, lines, and other apparatus, including the inclusion of instruction boards and illustrated instructions. These requirements can vary based on the gross tonnage of the ship. The Regulations also allow for compliance with the regulations of the ship's country of registration for international voyages. The Act extends its application through subordinate instruments which further detail the specific requirements and compliance measures.

Key Provisions

The Regulations under the Navigation Act 1912-1935, which come into operation on the first day of January 1940, introduce significant amendments to the existing Navigation (Life-saving Appliances) Regulations. Specifically, Regulation 14 now mandates that Class I ships must carry an approved type of line-throwing apparatus as detailed in Regulation 69. For Class II ships, Regulation 19 requires an approved line-throwing apparatus for steamships of 80 tons gross tonnage and above. Similarly, Class IV ships of 80 tons gross tonnage and above must also carry an approved type of line-throwing apparatus as per Regulation 27. Additionally, Regulation 23 is amended to exclude Class I ships from its purview, and Regulation 27 is revised to include Class IV ships. Regulation 48 is further amended to include a requirement for a painter of at least two inches in circumference connected to the buoyant apparatus by a bowline. Regulation 50 is modified to specify the capacity and size of dippers for boats, while Regulation 57 is repealed. Regulation 69 details the specific components of the approved line-throwing apparatus, including rockets, lines, ropes, breeches buoys, and instruction boards. Regulation 70 allows ships not registered in Australia to comply with their country's regulations if engaged on an international voyage. These Regulations impose obligations on ship owners and operators to ensure their vessels comply with the specified life-saving appliance requirements. This includes carrying the appropriate line-throwing apparatus as per their ship's class and gross tonnage. For ships registered in Australia, the equipment must meet the detailed specifications outlined in Regulation 69. For ships not registered in Australia, compliance with their country's regulations is sufficient. Ship owners must also ensure that the equipment is maintained in good condition and that all components are readily available and functional. Failure to comply with these Regulations can result in legal consequences. The specific penalties are not detailed in the text, but non-compliance could lead to enforcement actions, fines, or other penalties as provided by the Navigation Act 1912-1935. It is crucial for ship owners and operators to adhere to these requirements to ensure the safety of their crew and passengers at sea.

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Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at 26 August 2026. For the latest information on Australian Government law please go to https://www.legislation.gov.au.