(i) For the purposes of this Rule the inland vessels shall be classified as namely-
(a) Class I – Passenger vessels and Ferry launches boats.
(b) Class II – Cargo vessels and vessels other than those falling under Class I, Class.
(c) Class III – Non-propelled vessels (Barges).
(d) Class IV – Pleasure crafts adventure vessels.
(ii) Required of vessels of Class I-
(a) Sufficient number of life rafts or buoyant apparatus to accommodate at least 50% number of passengers and crew on board.
(b) One life jacket for 50% of passengers and crew on board.
(c) Life jacket for child, for 10% of total number of persons certified to carry. For the purpose of this section, child means person below 30kgs.
(d) At least four life buoys for vessels up to 25 meter length, six life buoys for vessel.
(e) 25-45 meter length and life buoys more than 45 meter length. At least two of the life buoys shall be with self igniting light if the vessels navigate at night.
(f) Every vessels of Class I passenger capacity 150 shall have at least one life boat with minimum passenger capacity of ten persons. The boat shall be provided with necessary arrangement for launching. Boats are to be stored on either side of the vessels if more than one boat provided.
(g) Life boats plus Life rafts plus life jacket together to accommodate 100% of the passengers and crew onboard.
(h) All crew boat should posses sufficient training in rescue working addition to artificial respiration and first aid.
(i) All boats have headlights search lights hand torches and emergency lanterns.
(j) Boats should be sturdy and should maintenance standards rigid. The underwater material should be sound, strong and river worthy. In small vessels one pair of ores should be kept in readiness for use in event of power failure.
(iii) Requirement for Vessels of Class II-
(a) Every vessel of Class II shall be provided with-
(i) At least one life raft to accommodate all crew for vessel over 10 meters;
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(ii) One life jacket for each crew or persons on board;
(iii) At least two life buoys for vessels upto 25 meter length and four life buoys for above 25 meter of which one shall be equipped with self igniting light if vessels navigate at night.
(b) Life raft plus life jacket plus life buoys to accommodate 100% of the crew.
(iv) Requirement for vessels for Class III- Every manned vessel of class III shall be provided with;
(a) At least two life buoys, one of which shall be equipped with self switching light if the vessels navigate at night;
(b) One life jacket for every crew on board.
(v) Requirement for Vessels of Class IV-
(a) Every vessel of class IV up to 10 meter in length shall carry life jacket for each person. Vessel above 10 meter shall carry sufficient life raft for all persons on board.
For small vessels where buoyant apparatus could not be accommodated 100% buoyancy by way of life jackets and lifebuoys;
(b) However all vessels of class IV shall carry at least 2 life buoys of which one shall be of self lighting type if the vessels navigate at night. For small vessels the buoyant apparatus could not be accommodated 100% buoyancy by way of life jackets and life buoys.