LIFE BOATS
The capacity of lifeboats shall hereafter be determined by an allowance of 15 cubic feet for each person carried.
Equipment for lifeboats.
All lifeboats on ocean steam vessels shall be equipped as follows:
A properly secured life line the entire length on each side, festooned in bights not longer than 3 feet, with a seine float in each bight.
One painter of manila rope of not less than 2¾ inches in circumference and of suitable length.
A full complement of oars and two spare oars.
One set and a half of thole pins or rowlocks attached to the boat with separate chains.
One steering oar with rowlock or becket and one rudder with tiller or yoke and yoke lines.
One boat hook attached to a staff of suitable length.
Two life preservers.
Two hatchets.
One galvanized-iron bucket with lanyard attached.
One bailer.
Where automatic plugs are not provided there shall be two plugs secured with chains for each drain hole.
One efficient liquid compass with not less than a 2-inch card.
One lantern containing sufficient oil to burn at least nine hours and ready for immediate use.
One can containing one gallon of illuminating oil.
One box of friction-matches wrapped in a waterproof package and carried in a box secured to the underside of the stern thwart.
A wooden breaker or suitable tank fitted with a siphon, pump, or spigot for drawing water, and containing at least 1 quart of water for each person.
Two enameled drinking cups.
A water-tight receptacle containing 2 pounds avoirdupois of provisions for each person. These provisions may be hard bread or United States Army ration. The receptacle shall be of metal, fitted with an opening in the top not less than 5 inches in diameter, properly protected by a screw cap made of heavy cast brass, with machine thread and an attached double toggle, seating to a pliable rubber gasket, which shall insure a tight joint, in order to properly protect the contents of the can.
One canvas bag containing sailmaker's palm and needles, sail twine, marline, and marline spike.
A water-tight metal case containing 12 self-igniting red lights capable of burning at least two minutes.
A sea anchor.
A vessel containing 1 gallon of vegetable or animal oil, so constructed that the oil can be easily distributed on the water and so arranged that it can be attached to the sea anchor.
In addition to the equipment already required in lifeboats, there shall be provided a hand pump with a plunger of not less than 2 inches in diameter, and a discharge pipe of sufficient length to reach clear of the boat's side.
Steam vessels carrying passengers and which enter the War Zone shall have each and every lifeboat which is carried under davits equipped with mast and sail and proper gear for same, as required by this section.
Food or provisions to be carried in lifeboats.
The food or provisions required to be carried in lifeboats may be hard bread or the "United States Army Emergency Ration." Food which produces unusual or immoderate thirst, such as corned beef, salt fish, etc., will not be allowed, under any circumstances, as lifeboat provisions.
When hard bread only is carried in the lifeboat, there must be provided in addition thereto at least ten United States Army emergency rations.
How lifeboats shall be carried.
Lifeboats on cargo steamers shall be provided with a separate set of davits for each lifeboat required. When this requirement makes it necessary to install additional davits, it is recommended that the additional davits be of the mechanical type, to facilitate quick and safe launching. The old type of davits with "turning out gear" is not considered as mechanical davits.