288. Power to make rules as to life saving appliances.- (1) The Central Government may, subject to the condition of previous publication, make rules prescribing the life saving appliances to be carried by every Indian ship going to sea from any port or place in India. (2) In particular and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power, such rules may provide for all or any of the following mattress, namely:- (a) the arranging of ships into classes, having regard t the services in which they are employed, the nature and duration of the voyage and the number of persons carried; (b) the number, description and mode of construction of the boats, life-rafts, line throwing appliances, life-jackets and life-buoys to be carried by ships according to the classes in which the ships are arranged; (c) the equipment to be carried by any such boats and rafts and the method to be provided to get the boats and other life saving appliances into the water, including oil for use in stormy weather; (d) the provision in ships of a proper supply of lights inextinguishable in water and fitted for attachment to life-buoys; (e) the quantity, quality and description of buoyant apparatus t be carried on board ships either in addition to or in substitution for boats, life-rafts, life-jackets and life-buoys; (f) the position and means of securing the boats, life-rafts, life-jackets, life-buoys and buoyant apparatus; (g) the marking of boats, life-rafts, and buoyant apparatus so as to show their dimensions and the number of persons authorised to be carried on them; (h) the manning of life boats and the qualification and certificates of life-boatmen; (i) the provision to be made for mustering the persons on board and for embarking them in the boats (including provision for the lighting of, and the means of ingress to and egress from, different parts of the ship); (j) the provision of suitable means situated outside the engine room whereby any discharge of water into the boats can be prevented; (k) the assignment of specific duties to each member of the crew in case of emergency; (l) the manner in which a notice given under section 287 or section 290 shall be communicated to the customs collector; (m) the practice in ships of boat drills, and fire drills; (n) the provision in ships of means of making effective distress signals by day and by night; (o) the provision in ships, engaged on voyages in which pilots are likely to be embarked, of suitable pilot, ladders, and of ropes, light and other appliances designed to make the use of such ladders safe; (p) the periodical examination of any appliances or equipment required by any rules \made under this Act to be carried by ships; and (q) the fees to be charged for the grant of any certificate under sub-section (3) of section 290. | 
