Lower Rescue Boat to Water Sign

Lower Rescue Boat to Water Sign – MS0033

The Lower Rescue Boat to Water Sign identifies the designated lowering point and procedure for a davit-launched rescue boat aboard a vessel, forming part of the ship’s essential life-saving appliance (LSA) signage suite. Displayed at the rescue boat station, this ISO 7010 mandatory-action pictogram instructs crew to follow the correct sequence when launching the rescue boat toward the water, whether during a real emergency, a person-overboard recovery, or a scheduled SOLAS drill.

Manufactured from rigid photoluminescent material, MS0033 continues to glow after the ambient lighting fails, ensuring the launching instruction remains visible during a blackout, heavy smoke, or night-time abandonment. Its blue circular field and white pictogram meet the internationally recognised ISO 7010 mandatory-sign format, so the instruction is understood by multinational crews regardless of spoken language, a critical requirement under the IMO’s standardised ship signage regime.

Why the Lower Rescue Boat to Water Instruction Matters

Rescue boats must be lowered quickly and correctly to respond to emergencies such as a man-overboard situation or to assist an evacuation. A clear, standardised sign at the launch station reduces hesitation and error during high-stress conditions, helping the crew operate davits, falls, and release gear in the proper order. Consistent placement of MS0033 across sister vessels also shortens the learning curve for crew transferring between ships in a fleet.

Compliance and Certification

MS0033 is produced to align with the ISO 7010 graphical symbol standard and supports compliance with the vessel’s Safety Management System under the ISM Code. Life-saving appliance signage, including rescue boat launch instructions, is also referenced within SOLAS Chapter III requirements for life-saving appliances and arrangements. For the full regulatory text, see the IMO’s SOLAS convention overview. Keeping this signage current and legible supports a positive outcome at Port State Control and flag-state inspections.

Installation Recommendations

Install MS0033 directly at the rescue boat davit or embarkation station, at eye level where the launching crew will naturally look before operating the release gear. Mount on a flat, stable surface using marine-grade adhesive or corrosion-resistant fasteners suited to prolonged salt-spray exposure. Avoid locations shadowed by structural steelwork, davit arms, or coiled falls that could obscure the sign during an emergency, and confirm the sign remains visible from the boat’s embarkation point at night.

• Photoluminescent pictogram charges under ambient light and glows during power loss
• ISO 7010 mandatory-action blue circle format for instant multilingual recognition
• Rigid, UV-stable substrate engineered for continuous marine and weather exposure
• Compact format suited to davit posts, bulkheads, and boat station signage runs
• Supports ISM Code safety-management and SOLAS life-saving-appliance documentation

Equip every rescue boat station aboard your vessel with the MS0033 Lower Rescue Boat to Water Sign, and keep launch procedures clear, compliant, and visible when it matters most.

Complete your vessel’s safety signage programme by pairing this sign with our Hazard Signs and Fire Fighting Signs ranges, ensuring full coverage across every shipboard risk area.