Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2024C00338:front:0:p7
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2024C00338
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 15512–18245

a passenger vessel must ensure that the operational limitations of the vessel are documented in accordance with Regulation 30 of Chapter V of SOLAS.
Division 3 Emergency procedures

16 General emergency alarm signal
       (1) The general emergency alarm signal for an emergency station muster of the passengers and seafarers of a vessel is a signal of at least 7 short blasts followed by 1 long blast on the vessel's whistle or siren.
       (2) In an emergency, the master of a vessel must ensure that:
(a) the general emergency alarm signal is sounded, and repeated on the vessel's electrically operated warning bell system; and
(b) suitable instructions to passengers and seafarers are given over a public address system, if fitted, or by any other means available.

17 Signal to prepare to abandon ship
     (1)         The master of a vessel must decide the prepare to abandon ship signal and ensure that it is stated in the muster list and emergency instructions.
Note    Regulated Australian vessels have traditionally used the following signal as a prepare to abandon ship signal: 1 short blast followed by 1 long blast on the vessel's whistle or siren, sounded at least 3 times in succession.
       (2) If the master of a vessel decides to abandon ship, the master must ensure that:
(a) the signal to prepare to abandon ship is sounded; and
(b)  instructions stating what the passengers and seafarers must do are given over a public address system, if fitted, or by any other effective means available; and
(c) the engine-room telegraph is put to 'Finished with Engines', unless the master considers that it would adversely affect the safety of passengers and seafarers.
       (3) If a vessel is to be abandoned, the master of the vessel must ensure that:
(a) any machinery or appliance whose operation could impede the safe abandonment of the vessel is stopped, disengaged or otherwise rendered inoperative; and
(b) stabilisers, if extended and liable to interfere with survival craft, are retracted; and
(c) all seafarers working below deck or in other parts of the vessel distant from survival craft are warned by all means available that the vessel is to be abandoned, in sufficient time to allow all seafarers to reach their survival craft stations.

18 Abandon ship signal
       (1) The master of a vessel must decide the abandon ship signal and ensure that it is stated in the muster list and emergency instructions.
       (2) When abandoning ship, the master of the vessel or senior surviving officer must:
(a) give the abandon ship signal in the most effective manner possible; and
(b) authorise those in charge of survival craft to launch the craft as soon as ready.

19 Emergency drills
       (1) The signal