Handling of the rafts.
All rafts must be stowed in such a way that they can be launched in the shortest possible time and that, even under unfavorable conditions of list and trim from the point of view of the handling of the rafts, it may be possible to embark in them as large a number of persons as possible.
The arrangements must be such that it may be possible to launch on either side of the vessel as large a number of rafts as possible. Marking rafts.
There shall be stenciled in a conspicuous place on each life raft now in use the number of persons said raft can carry, as hereinafter provided.
Care of life rafts.
All life rafts shall be stripped, cleaned, painted, and thoroughly overhauled at least once in every year.
Equipment for life rafts.
All life rafts on ocean steam vessels shall be equipped as follows:
A properly secured life line entirely around the sides and ends of the raft, festooned to the gunwales in bights not longer than 3 feet with a seine float in each bight.
One painter of manila rope of 2¾ inches in circumference, and of suitable length.