Requirements on Lifeboat & Rescue boat Equipment's

General Information on Lifeboat Equipments:

• All items of lifeboat equipment shall be secured within the lifeboat by lashings, storage in lockers or compartments, storage in brackets or similar mounting arrangements or other suitable means.

• In the case of a lifeboat to be launched by falls the boat-hooks shall be kept free for fending off purposes.

• The equipment shall be secured in such a manner as not to interfere with any abandonment procedures.

• All items of lifeboat equipment shall be as small and of as little mass as possible and shall be packed in a suitable and compact form.

Lifeboat Equipment:

• The normal equipment of every lifeboat shall consist of the following:

1. Except for free-fall lifeboats, sufficient buoyant oars to make headway in calm seas. 
2. Two boat-hooks.
3. A buoyant bailer 
4. Two buckets. 
5. A survival Manual.
6. An operational compass that is luminous or provided with suitable means of illumination. In a totally enclosed lifeboat, the compass shall be permanently fitted at the steering position; in any other lifeboat, it shall be provided with a binocular if necessary to protect it from the weather, and suitable mounting arrangements.
7. A sea-anchor of adequate size fitted with a shock-resistant hawser which provides a firm hand grip when wet. The strength of the sea-anchor, hawser and tripping line if fitted shall be adequate for all sea conditions. 
8. Two efficient painters of a length equal to not less than twice the distance from the stowage position of the lifeboat to the waterline in the lightest seagoing condition or 15 m, whichever is the greater. On lifeboats to be launched by free-fall launching, both painters shall be stowed near the bow ready for use. On other lifeboats, one painter attached to the release device placed at the forward end of the lifeboat and the other shall be firmly secured at or near the bow of the lifeboat ready for use.
9. Two hatches,  one at each end of the lifeboat.
10. Watertight receptacles containing a total of 3 litres of fresh water for each person the lifeboat is permitted to accommodate, of which either 1 litre per person may be replaced by a desalting apparatus capable of producing an equal amount of fresh water in 2 days, or 2 litres per person may be replaced by a manually powered reverse osmosis desalinator capable of producing an equal amount of fresh water in 2 days.
11. A rustproof dipper with a lanyard.
12. A rustproof graduated drinking vessel.
13. A food ration totalling not less than 10,000 kJ for each person the lifeboat is permitted to accommodate; these rations shall be kept in airtight packaging and be stowed in a watertight container.
14. Four Rocket Parachute flares 
15. Six Hand flares
16. Two buoyant smoke signals
17. One waterproof electric torch suitable for Morse signalling together with one spare set of batteries and one spare bulb in a waterproof container.
18. One daylight signalling mirror with instructions for its use for signalling to ships and aircraft.
19. One copy of the life-saving signals on a waterproof card or in a waterproof container.
20. One whistle or equivalent sound signal.
21. The first-aid outfit is in a waterproof case capable of being closed tightly after use.
22. Anti-seasickness medicine is sufficient for at least 48 hours and one seasickness bag for each person.
23. A jack-knife to be kept attached to the boat by a lanyard.
24. Three tin openers.
25. Two buoyant rescue quoits, attached to not less than 30 m of buoyant line. 
26. If the lifeboat is not automatically self-bailing, a manual pump is suitable for effective bailing. 
27. One set of fishing tackle.
28. Sufficient tools for minor adjustments to the engine and its accessories.
29. Portable fire-extinguishing equipment of an approved type suitable for extinguishing oil fires.
30. A searchlight with a horizontal and vertical sector of at least 6° and a measured luminous intensity of 2500 cd that can work continuously for not less than 3 hours.
31. An efficient radar reflector, unless a survival craft radar transponder is stowed in the lifeboat.
32. Thermal protective aids are sufficient for 10% of the number of persons the lifeboat is permitted to accommodate or two whichever is the greater.
33. In the case of ships engaged on voyages of such a nature and duration that in the opinion of the Administration a food ration and fishing tackle are unnecessary, the Administration may allow these items to be dispensed with. 

General Information on Rescue boat Equipment:

• All items of rescue boat equipment, with the exception of boat hooks which shall be kept free for fending off purposes, shall be secured within the rescue boat by lashings, storage in lockers or compartments, storage in brackets or similar mounting arrangements, or other suitable means. 

• The equipment shall be secured in such a manner as not to interfere with any launching or recovery procedures. 

• All items of rescue boat equipment shall be as small and of as little mass as possible and shall be packed in a suitable and compact form. 

Rescue boat Equipment:

The normal equipment of every Rescue boat shall consist of the following:

1. Sufficient Buoyant Oars or paddles
2. A buoyant bailer
3. A binnacle containing an efficient compass which is luminous 
4. A sea-anchor 
5. A painter of sufficient length and strength
6. One buoyant line, not less than 50 m in length
7. One waterproof electric torch suitable for Morse signalling
8. One whistle or equivalent sound signal
9. The first-aid outfit in a waterproof case
10. Two buoyant rescue quoits
11. A searchlight
12. An efficient radar reflector 
13. Thermal protective aids
14. Portable fire-extinguishing equipment of an approved type suitable for extinguishing oil fires  

In addition to the above equipment, the normal equipment of every rigid rescue boat shall include:- 

1. A boat hook
2. A bucket
3. A knife or hatchet

In addition to the above equipment, the normal equipment of every inflated rescue boat shall include:- 

1. A buoyant safety knife
2. Two sponges
3. An efficient manually operated bellows or pump
4. A repair kit in a suitable container for repairing punctures
5. A safety boat-hook

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Reference: 

1. IMO Publications & Documents - International codes - LSA Code - Chapter IV - Survival Craft.
2. IMO Publications & Documents - International codes - LSA Code - Chapter IV - Rescue Boats.
3. IMO Publications & Documents - Resolutions - Maritime Safety Committee - Resolutions.MSC.48(66).