Raft or no raft?

Have you chosen a Polish registration for your motorboat or sailboat, and are you getting ready to set sail? Sea rescue equipment, navigation equipment, signaling equipment, communication devices, fire protection systems, on-board equipment… The Bateau-entreprises.com team reviews the mandatory safety equipment to be carried under the flag Polish.

Would you like to find out about the Polish pavilion ? Find our article on the advantages and disadvantages of registering your boat under the Polish flag

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The regulation of February 28, 2012 of the Polish Ministry of Transport, Construction and Maritime Economy: the equivalent of Polish Division 240

This is the reference text. Relating to the safety conditions for the navigation of “sea yachts”, the regulatory document defines the mandatory safety equipment under the Polish flag , based on two main criteria which are the length of the vessels and the navigation zone concerned. Two distinct cases are presented: that of pleasure craft with a length of less than 24 meters and that of pleasure craft of a length equal to or greater than 24 meters.

Safety equipment for vessels up to 24 meters in length

First of all, you should know that the list of safety equipment to be taken on board when sailing under the Polish flag differs depending on the planned navigation zone. Therefore, depending on your distance from shelter, the mandatory safety equipment to have on board your vessel will not be the same.

To help you define the mandatory safety equipment to be taken on board, we will detail the list of equipment common to all boats with a hull length of less than 24 meters flying the Polish flag. Then, we will explain what equipment must be additionally on board, depending on the distance envisaged.

 

Common armament without distinction of distance from a shelter for boats less than 24 meters under the Polish flag

Mandatory safety equipment for Polish-flagged vessels measuring less than 24 meters in hull length includes several categories: navigation equipment, rescue devices, signaling and radiocommunication equipment, protection systems against fire, as well as on-board equipment.

For all vessels under the Polish flag of less than 24 meters, here is the list of mandatory equipment to have on board, regardless of the navigation zone:

Navigation equipment:

• A magnetic compass certified by an approved organization

• A pair of binoculars

• A work set on nautical charts

• Marine charts of the areas in which navigation takes place, up to date and corrected. If these are held in digital format, the captain must have duplicates in paper version, or a duplication of the system.

• A list of maritime lights, for navigations lasting more than 24 hours.

• The International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea , or RIPAM

• For ships of less than 200 gross tonnage, a radar reflector certified and installed in accordance with regulations

Signaling equipment

To be able to report to other users, if necessary, the captain of a vessel of less than 24 meters must be equipped with suitable equipment. He must equip his unit with a toplight, daytime running lights and signaling equipment complying with the requirements of the Convention for the Prevention of Collisions of the law of August 18, 2011 relating to maritime safety.

Yachts sailing under surveillance are exempt from the obligation to present signaling equipment.

Radiocommunication equipment

The captain is required to carry at least one VHF device, near which emergency call procedures must be detailed. He must have the possibility of consulting and receiving weather forecasts and warnings.

Fire protection systems

The obligation to equip oneself with fire protection equipment does not apply to ships without an engine, without an electrical installation and not equipped with a stove. For all other vessels less than 24 meters in length under the Polish flag, the minimum fire protection equipment includes:

• 1 fire extinguisher for ABC light group of 2 kg for the main helm station or cockpit

• 1 fire extinguisher for ABC fire group of 2 kg per 20 m² of the accommodation area, or for each compartment separated from the rest of the ship using fixed partitions

• 1 fire extinguisher for group of ABC fires of 2 kg or a fire blanket and fire extinguisher for group of ABC fires of 1 kg, for each open flame device (but if the space has control stations or a cockpit and 'it serves as a living room with an open flame device, the fire extinguisher already provided for this compartment is sufficient)

• fire extinguisher for ABC light group of 2 kg if the vessel is equipped with an outboard engine (but if it is located inside the helm or cockpit, the one provided for this space is also sufficient)

• 1 ABC fire extinguisher of 4 kg or 2 ABC fire extinguishers of 2 kg for ships equipped with engine(s) with a total power of up to 120 kW; or 2 fire extinguishers for ABC fire group of 4 kg if the total power of the motor(s) is greater than 120 kW. This equipment must be placed outside the engine compartment, but less than 2 meters from the extinguishing opening in the engine crankcase.

Each fire extinguishing equipment must be easily accessible, be marked with the appropriate ISO symbol, and be subject to periodic inspections. The vessel must, in addition, be equipped with instructions intended for the captain and the user, specifying in particular the various fire protection equipment on board, the maintenance operations carried out and all necessary additional warnings.

If a fixed fire extinguishing system is used under the supervision of a classifier, fire extinguishers are not required.

On-board equipment

Whatever the vessel and its navigation area, it is necessary to equip yourself with anchoring equipment adapted to the size of the boat and its characteristics. This must be accompanied by a chain or rope.

It is also mandatory to have, on board, a set of tools and spare parts necessary to carry out any repairs and, for sailboats with a hull length of more than 12 meters, shears capable of cutting the rigging. Finally, a first aid kit is also required.

 

Safety equipment for boats less than 24 meters sailing less than 6 miles from a shelter

Rescue devices

To operate at sea on his ship, the captain of a ship is first required to take on board equipment relating to rescue at sea. On his boat, he must have, at a minimum,:

• Two lifebuoys: a first with a light float and a pole topped with a flag, and a second with a lifeline

• An orange floating smoke signal

• A suitable life jacket for each person on board, equipped with lights if the planned trip is longer than 24 hours. If inflatable life jackets are carried, they must be able to activate automatically when falling into the water. It is also necessary to hold spare cartridges for at least 10% of the stock of inflatable life jackets and the number of people on board (the maximum amount being retained). The number of spare cartridges on board must not be less than 1.

• 3 red parachute rockets

Up to 6 miles from a shelter, half of the people on board must be able to be equipped with a safety harness. If the life jackets provided for crew members are equipped with a harness, there is no need to provide additional equipment.

Safety equipment for boats less than 24 meters sailing between 6 and 20 miles from a shelter

Pontoon radio: contrary to what we regularly hear, the life raft is compulsory on a boat flying the Polish flag from 6 miles from a shelter

Rescue devices

To sail under the Polish flag from 6 to 20 nautical miles from a shelter, the mandatory lifesaving devices to have on board are the same as before. On the other hand, beyond 6 miles from a shelter, all vessels must also be equipped with one or more inflatable life raft(s) so as to be able to accommodate, if necessary, the entire passengers. These liferafts must be certified, and the captain must be able to present a valid certificate in the event of an inspection.

You will also need to have 6 red parachute flares on board, and provide a harness for each passenger on board. If the life jackets are equipped with a harness, it is still not necessary to purchase additional equipment.

Navigation equipment

To the list of compulsory navigation equipment to be possessed by all boats under the Polish flag regardless of the navigation zone, the boater who wishes to sail between 6 and 20 miles from a shelter must add:

• An aneroid barometer

• A book detailing the symbols and abbreviations used on nautical charts

• A satellite navigation system receiver, such as GPS

• A tide table, if applicable to the navigation area concerned

• For vessels at least 20 meters in length, a radar

Safety equipment for boats less than 24 meters sailing between 20 and 200 miles from a shelter

Rescue devices

To sail in offshore and oceanic areas under the Polish flag, the same rescue equipment as before is required. One exception, however: the red parachute flares which must be, at least, twelve in number.

Navigation equipment

To the list of compulsory navigation equipment up to 20 miles from a shelter, the boater wishing to sail under the Polish flag at a distance of 20 to 200 miles from a shelter must add:

• A depth measurement system

• The International Code of Signals

• A stopwatch

Radiocommunication equipment

When sailing offshore up to 200 miles from shelter, the vessel must be equipped with a fixed VHF with Digital Selective Calling (DSC). The crew must also have at least one 406 MHz EPIRB emergency location radio beacon (or EPIRB beacon). This must be recorded in the register of on-board personal emergency signal transmitters.

Safety equipment for boats less than 24 meters sailing more than 200 miles from shelter

Rescue devices

They are the same as before. On the other hand, for ships with a hull length greater than 15 meters sailing more than 200 miles from a shelter, the minimum number of lifebuoys is increased to 4.

Navigation equipment

A magnetic compass or emergency bearing compass, also certified by an approved organization, must be added to all the navigation equipment listed above.

Radiocommunication equipment

In addition to the equipment necessary for navigation areas less far from a shelter, the following must also be on board:

• A satellite terminal, or a VHF MF/HF with DSC system, or a mobile satellite telephone with access to the emergency number of the Maritime Rescue Center

• A search and rescue radar transponder (SART) or an AIS search and rescue transponder (AIS SART).

Safety armament for units with a hull length equal to or greater than 24 meters

Common safety equipment without distinction of distance from a shelter for all boats of 24 meters or more

First there is the safety equipment which must be possessed by all boats with a length of 24 meters or more, under the Polish flag , regardless of the intended navigation area.

As for boats less than 24 meters, there are several categories: navigation equipment, rescue devices, signaling equipment, radio communication equipment, fire protection systems and on-board equipment.

For all Polish-flagged vessels over 24 meters, here is the list of what is mandatory to take on board:

Navigation equipment

• A magnetic compass

• A satellite navigation receiver system, such as GPS

• An anemometer

• An inclinometer

• A rudder angle indicator

• An aneroid barometer

• A pair of binoculars

• A sounder

• Navigation instruments: navigation triangle, cras ruler and navigation compass

• Marine charts of the regions concerned, up to date and corrected. If these are held in digital format, the captain must have duplicates in paper version, or a duplication of the system

• Pilot book

• A work detailing the list of maritime lights, in the context of navigations lasting more than 24 hours

• The International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea , or RIPAM

• The International Code of Signals

• A radar

• For ships of less than 200 gross tonnage, a radar reflector certified and installed in accordance with regulations

Rescue devices

• A line launcher kit (at least 2 projectiles and 2 lines)

• One suitable life jacket for each person on board, as well as two spare life jackets or 10% of the total number of people on board, whichever is greater. All life jackets must be equipped with lights and whistles meeting the requirements of the LSA (or International Life-Saving Appliance Code)

• Four lifebuoys: two buoys equipped with a smoke and light float (or two light beacons and two smoke beacons), and two buoys including a lifeline

• 6 red parachute flares

• Pneumatic life rafts with SOLAS B equipment and hydrostatic release, capable of accommodating all people on board

• A lifeboat complying with the requirements of the LSA Code, or any other rigid, inflatable or rigid bottom inflatable boat. This must have a capacity of at least 4 people, including one person lying down. A device allowing the boat to be launched in the water within a maximum of 5 minutes must also be provided, as well as means for the safe return of the crew on board the vessel, or for the recovery of a castaway

 

Signaling equipment

The signaling equipment of recreational vessels at sea shall comply with the approved Arrangement Plan for Navigation Lights and Signal Signs , meeting the requirements of the Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, referred to in Article 5, paragraph 33, point a), of the law of 18 August 2011 relating to maritime safety.

It is also mandatory to have spare navigation lights on board.

 

Radiocommunication equipment

• A fixed VHF with Digital Selective Call (ASN)

• A 406 MHz emergency location radio beacon, or EPIRB, registered in the register of on-board personal emergency signal transmitters

• A search and rescue transponder (SART), or an AIS search and rescue transponder (AIS SAR)

• 2 radiotelephones for two-way communication

• A radio receiver suitable for receiving weather forecasts and navigational warnings in the area in which the vessel is operating

 

Fire protection systems

In matters of fire protection on board a Polish-flagged vessel over 24 meters, several general rules apply:

A group of rooms with a total surface area of ​​up to 50 m² can be equipped with a single fire extinguisher per corridor, provided that the different spaces all lead onto a single corridor. If there are several fire extinguishers in the same room, at least one of these extinguishers must be located near the entrance.

Fire protection equipment must be located in an easily accessible and visible location, protected from weather phenomena and vibrations. Near electrical and electronic devices essential to the safety of the ship, fire extinguishers must include a means of extinguishing fire that is neither electrically conductive nor harmful to the equipment and devices.

Fire extinguishers should not be located less than one meter from a potential fire source. They must be marked with photoluminescent symbols, certified by an approved body and, of course, kept in good working order, ready for use at sea or in port. Each fire extinguisher must be equipped with a device indicating that it has been discharged after use.

In category A machinery spaces, fire extinguishers must be placed so that they are not more than 10 meters apart.

For ships under the Polish flag whose gross tonnage is less than 500:

It is mandatory to have, on board a vessel over 24 meters in length and whose gross tonnage is less than 500, at least one powder or CO2 fire extinguisher with a capacity of at least 5 kilos, or a foam fire extinguisher with a capacity of at least 9 liters. The mass of a portable fire extinguisher must not exceed 23 kilos, and its extinguishing capacity must be at least equivalent to that of a 9 liter liquid fire extinguisher. The extinguishing means used in the fire extinguisher must be suitable for the group of fires that may occur in the room for which the fire extinguisher is intended. The number and type of fire extinguishers will be determined in the Fire Protection Plan .

It will also be necessary to provide pressure pipes and universal nozzles, in number at least equal to the number of fire hydrant valves installed on the ship. Finally, it is also necessary to equip yourself with two fire blankets, a fire ax and a crowbar, as well as a pair of fireproof gloves.

Internal inspections of fire protection equipment must be carried out by the captain or a designated crew member, regularly and diligently, every 3 months. Each inspection carried out must be recorded.

With a gross tonnage equal to or greater than 500:

The fire protection equipment required to be carried under the Polish flag on board a ship of more than 24 meters in length and of a gross tonnage equal to or greater than 500 is defined in Article 4 of the SOLAS Convention of the law of August 18, 2011 relating to maritime safety.

Also on board these ships, it will be necessary to plan to regularly check the fire protection equipment and keep it in good working order, ready for immediate use. An agent responsible for these operations will be designated by the captain of the ship in accordance with the Maintenance and Expertise Plan .

On-board equipment

Finally, when equipping a vessel of a length equal to or greater than 24 meters intended to sail under the Polish flag, the captain must also provide a first aid kit.

Safety equipment for boats of 24 meters or more, sailing more than 20 miles from shelter

For owners of ships under the Polish flag who wish to sail at a distance greater than 20 nautical miles from a shelter, it is appropriate to complete the safety equipment. There are variations in the equipment to be carried and elements to be added to the list of safety equipment presented previously.

Rescue devices

To move further than 20 nautical miles from a shelter on board a vessel over 24 meters under the Polish flag, the same rescue equipment as before will be required. However, this time the inflatable life rafts must be equipped with SOLAS A. Another difference: the number of red parachute flares required to sail under the Polish flag more than 20 miles from a shelter is 12.

Finally, if the ship's captain plans to sail in areas located above the 60° N parallel or below the 60° S parallel, the Director of the Maritime Office will individually determine the additional equipment necessary for the voyage.

Navigation equipment

In addition to the previous equipment, the sailor wishing to operate under the Polish flag beyond 20 miles from a shelter must take on board:

• A gyroscopic compass (gyrocompass) or back-up magnetic compass

• A second satellite navigation receiver system

• An extra pair of binoculars

• A tide table, if applicable to the navigation area concerned

• An AIS system, for units with a gross tonnage equal to or greater than 300

Radiocommunication equipment

To navigate in offshore or oceanic areas, in addition to the previous list, you will need to equip your vessel with a satellite terminal, an MF/HF radiotelephone with DSC system or a mobile satellite telephone with access to an emergency number.

 

Is your vessel registered under the Polish flag or under the flag of another nationality, and you have any doubts about the safety equipment to be taken on board? Do you have questions about registering your boat and which flag you should display?

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