The Merchant Shipping (Life-Saving Appliances) Rules 1965 shall have effect subject to the following amendments—
(1) In Rule 17(8), the following shall be substituted for sub-paragraph (a):—
(a) Every ship to which this Rule applies of 60 feet in length or over shall carry portable radio equipment which shall comply with the requirements of Rule 26 of the Merchant Shipping (Radio) (Fishing Boats) Rules 1965 or with the Performance Specification for a Compulsory Radiotelephone Distress Equipment Suitable for use in Fishing Boats' Survival Craft 1965 issued by the Postmaster General;
Provided that—
(i) any such ship of 140 feet in length or over, unless it carries portable radio equipment complying with the requirements of the said Rule 26, shall carry two sets of equipment which complies with the said Performance Specification, and
(ii) any equipment which complies with the said Performance Specification shall be provided with new batteries annually
(2) In Part I of Schedule 12, the following sub-paragraph shall be substituted for sub-paragraph (3)(h):—
(h) it shall have fastening tapes securely attached to the lifejacket cover which comply with British Standards Specification No. B.S. 2F.49: 1959 and are capable of taking a load of 310 pounds. The method of fastening the tapes shall be such as to be easily understood and capable of being readily carried out. Metal fastenings when used shall be of a size and strength consistent with the fastening tapes and of corrosion resistant material; and