NEW APPROACH TO DETERMINE THE MAXIMUM NUMBER OF PASSENGERS OF COASTAL PASSENGER VESSEL

Abstract

This article proposes a new approach to determine the maximum number of passengers for coastal passenger vessels based on the donning area for life jackets. Currently, the maximum number of passenger is determined by using one of the three methods, namely length of rail, fixed seating and deck area. This study proposes the application of the life jacket donning area as a basis to determine the number of passengers. The donning area of 0.86 m² was determined by using anthropometry data of Malaysia citizen. The new approach was tested to Duta Pangkor 3, a coastal passenger vessel (CPV) operated between Lumut and Pangkor Island Malaysia. Based on the donning area, the maximum number of passengers was 75 that was far less than 126, which was based on number of seats. The advantage of the reduced number of passengers is the sufficient area for all passenger to don the fixed buoyant life jacket at the open space of the vessel and reduce the evacuation time during emergency. This new approach can be considered by maritime authorities to determine the maximum number of passengers and approval of General Arrangement plan of coastal passenger vessels.