The normal equipment of every boat shall consist of

(rt) A single banked complement of oars and two spare oars ; one set and a half

of thole pins or crutches ; a boat hook. (/') Two plugs for each plug-hole (plugs are not required w^heu proper automatic

valves are fitted) ; a bailer and a galvanised iron bucket, (c) A tiller or yoke and yoke lines, ((i) Two hatchets.

(e) A lamp filled with oil and trimmed. (/') A mast or masts with one good sail at least, and proper gear for each. (This

does not apply to motor lifeboats.) {tj) A suitable compass.

Pontoon lifeboats will have no plug-hole, but shall be provided with at least two bilge-pumps.

In the case of a ship defined in Article 2 of the Convention, which carries passengers in the North Atlantic, all the boats need not be e(|uipped with masts, sails, and compasses, if the ship is provided with a radio-telegraph installation.

2. The normal equipment of every approved pontoon-raft shall consist of : — (rt) Fovir oars.

[l>) Five rowlocks.

3. In addition evei'y Ijoat and every pontoon-raft shall be equipped with : —

(a) A life-line becketted round the outside.

(b) A sea-anchor.

((/') A vessel containing five litres (equivalent to one gallon) of vegetable or animal oil. The vessel shall be so constructed that the oil can be easily distributed on the water, and so arranged that it can be attached to the seaanchor.

(e) A watertight receptacle containing one kilogramme (equivalent to two pounds avoirdupois) of provisions for each person.

(/') A watertight receptacle containing one litre (equivalent to one quart) for each person.

((/) A number of self-igniting " red lights " and a watertight box of matches.

Article XLI.

Davits.

Each set of davits shall have a boat of the first class attached to it, provided that the number of open boats of the first class attached to davits shall not be less than the minimum number fixed by the Table which follows.

If it is neither practicable nor reasonable to place on a ship the minimum number of sets of davits required by the rules, the Goeerument of the State to which the ship belongs may authorise a smaller number of sets of davits to be fitted, provided always that this number shall never be less than the minimum number of open boats of the first class required by the rules.

If a large proportion of the persons on board are accommodated in boats whose length is greater than 15 metises (equivalent to 50 feet) a fiirther reduction in the number of sets of davits may be allowed exceptionally if the Administration concerned is satisfied that the arrangements are in all respects satisfactory.

In all cases in which a reduction in the minimum number of sets of davits or other equivalent appliances required by the rules is allowed, the cnvner of the ship in question shall be required to prove, by a test made in the pi'esence of a surveyor appointed by the Government, that all the boats can be eflSciently launched in a minimum time.

The conditions of this test shall be as follows : —