[1] In the SOLAS Convention and other maritime related standards, the safety of human life is paramount.
Passengers and crew are informed of their availability in case of emergency.
Life-saving appliances are mandatory as per chapter 3 of the SOLAS Convention.
The International Life-Saving Appliance (LSA) Code[2] gives specific technical requirements for the manufacture, maintenance and record keeping of life-saving appliances.
The number and type of life-saving appliances differ from vessel to vessel, and the code gives a minimum requirement to comply in order to make a ship seaworthy.