TM 55-1930-209-14&P-17
CHAPTER 3 LIFESAVING EQUIPMENT
Section I. Description and data
3-1 Description. Lifesaving equipment, shown in Figure 3-1, consists of 2 liferafts, 15 type II, and 24 type V lifevests and
4 lifesaving ring buoys. This equipment, as installed onboard, is shown on drawings listed in Appendix A.
3-1.1 Liferafts. Two eight-person liferafts are stowed in maintenance-free containers, one on the forward weatherdeck
portside and one on the aft weatherdeck portside. If barge is sinking and time allows, two people throw liferaft container
overboard. Pulling on the painter/lanyard launches and inflates the liferaft. If time does not allow for manual launching,
liferaft automatically launches and inflates as barge sinks.
3-1.2 Lifevests. Twenty-four type V and nine type II lifevests are on the barge for crewmembers and visitors. One of the
type II vests is stowed under each of the nine bunks in the dayroom. Six type II lifevests are stowed in the workboat cabin
under the starboard passenger benchseat. The 24 type V lifevests are stowed in a dedicated stowage bin on ROWPU
space aft port bulkhead, just forward of electrical switchboard. These vests are bright orange, with PVC flotation material.
'"Work Vests" model are supplied for wear while doing physical work.
3-1.3 Lifesaving ring buoys. Four lifesaving ring buoys are located on the weatherdeck, two on each side of the
deckhouse, two forward and two aft. Each is attached to a 90-foot rope and equipped with a floating marker light.
3-2 Capabilities. Two liferafts, with 16 lifevests, provide emergency water safety for 16 people for up to 24 hours. Four
lifesaving buoys provide a more limited degree of water safety for individuals awaiting immediate rescue.
3-3 Special limitations. Since liferafts are not equipped with food or drinking water and do not have sails or a rudder,
they are limited to providing shelter from the elements and waiting in place until rescued. Life buoys cannot sustain an
injured or unconscious person in a lifesaving manner.
3-4 Performance characteristics. These liferafts are designed primarily to protect personnel until rescue vessels arrive.
They are equipped with two small paddles for maneuvering only. Life buoys and lifevests are designed to sustain a
conscious person in the water while awaiting immediate rescue, not for moving any distance while in the water.
3-1
