im  Launches,  etc.,  Carried  by  Steamships.  —  In  the
t  launches  or  other  boats  propelled  by  steam  power,  which


Life-Rafts,  Buoyant  Apparatus         643

are  carried  as  part  of  the  additional  boat  equipment  required  by
the  Kules  made  under  the  provisions  of  the  Merchant  Shipping
Act,  an  inspection  of  the  boat,  machinery,  and  boilers,  and  of  the
mounting  and  fitting  thereof,  should  be  made.  Steam  launches
must  not  be  passed  as  a  part  of  the  boat  equipment  required  to  be
under  davits.
In  case  of  any  vessel  provided  with  a  steam  launch  or  boat  in
addition  to  the  boat  capacity  required  under  the  Rules,  the  sur-
veyors need  not  interfere  unless  they  have  reason  to  believe  that
there  is  some  defect  in  the  boat,  machinery,  or  boiler,  or  in  the
fittings  or  arrangement  thereof,  which  might  be  dangerous  to
life.
Boats  Already  Supplied.  —  In  carrying  these  instructions
into  effect,  surveyors  are  to  be  careful  not  to  interfere  unnecessa-
rily with  boats  supplied  before  November,  1890,  but  in  the  case  of
new  boats  coming  under  survey  for  the  first  time,  as  well  as  in
all  cases  in  which  the  fittings  of  the  boats  require  renewal,  the
Rules  contained  in  these  instructions  are  to  be  strictly  adhered  to.
Appliances  for  Lowering  Boats.  —  These  appliances  must
be  in  accordance  with  Rule  4,  of  the  General  Rules,  and  must,  in
the  surveyor's  opinion,  be  such  as  not  to  endanger  human  life.
They  should  be  tested  at  each  survey  for  renewal  of  a  passenger
certificate.
The  question  of  determining  whether  the  requirements  of  the
Rules  respecting  appliances  for  lowering  boats  are  complied  with
in  the  case  of  any  particular  kind  of  gear  coming  under  the  sur-
veyor's notice,  shall  be  left  to  the  principal  officers  of  the  districts.
