Life boat / Rescue boat - Electrical equipments

[NickParker]

Do the cables inside a lifeboat or rescue boat need to be fire-resistant?
Similarly, do the electrical equipment within the lifeboat or rescue boat need to be explosion-proof (Ex-certified)?

 

[TugboatEng]

The lifeboat has no electrical equipment. If it has an engine, the engine is a fully mechanical diesel with hand or hydraulic start.

 

[Vectrex]

The lifeboat has no electrical equipment. If it has an engine, the engine is a fully mechanical diesel with hand or hydraulic start.

That is not correct. There are batteries used for the starter of the engine that have cables. There are cables also on instrument panel. There are switches for cabin lights, marker lights, flash lights, search lights. Fuses. So maybe the lifeboat you saw had the bare minimal but that is not the requirement. Just check Schat Harding's lifeboats.

 

[Vectrex]

I am sorry but I could not find certificates specifically for cables. If I do I will let you know.

 

[TugboatEng]

US built ships tend to have bare minimum lifeboats. The last ship I was on had oars for one and a Flemming gear on the other. I guess I've never been on one of the higher specified boats. I can look at two ships with lifeboats just down the dock from me and see that they don't even have navigation lights.

IEEE 45 broadly covers wiring for marine applications. It doesn't make any specific reference to lifeboats. I do see one mention of ASTM F1003 for a search light on a motor lifeboat that makes no reference to EX proof and I don't think motor lifeboat means lifeboat.

You can check the US CFR46 Subchapter W Part 199 Subpart D for some general lifeboat requirements. Vessels carrying flammable cargos need to have fireproof lifeboats which means a sprinkler system and compressed breathing air. No EX proof.

For cable standards, see IEEE 1580.

For low voltage wiring see SAE J1127.

For fuel and oil hoses see SAE J1942.