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Life-saving appliances (LSA) on board a ship are essential for ensuring the safety of crew and passengers in case of emergencies. These appliances are regulated by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) under the SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) Convention. Here are the key life-saving appliances found on ships:

1. Lifeboats
Purpose: To safely evacuate people from the ship.
Types:
Totally enclosed lifeboats: Offer full protection against the elements.
Partially enclosed lifeboats: Provide some shelter but are not fully covered.
Free-fall lifeboats: Designed to slide or drop from a certain height into the water.
2. Rescue Boats
Purpose: Used for rescuing people in distress and retrieving crew from the sea.
3. Life Rafts
Purpose: Inflatable or rigid rafts designed to provide shelter and flotation in case of abandonment at sea.
Features: Usually have a canopy for protection and are equipped with survival supplies.
4. Life Jackets
Purpose: To keep an individual afloat in the water and ensure their head remains above water.
Features: Typically include a whistle and light for signaling.
5. Immersion Suits (Survival Suits)
Purpose: Protect the wearer from cold water temperatures, reducing the risk of hypothermia.
Features: Completely waterproof with thermal insulation.
6. Lifebuoys (Life Rings)
Purpose: Thrown overboard to help a person stay afloat until rescue.
Features: Equipped with a floating line and often a smoke or light signal for visibility.
7. Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB)
Purpose: Automatically transmits the ship's position to rescue services when activated during an emergency.
Features: Works with satellite communication to send distress signals.
8. Search and Rescue Transponder (SART)
Purpose: Helps locate life rafts or survivors by emitting a radar signal that can be picked up by rescuers.
9. Distress Flares and Signals
Purpose: Used to signal distress and alert nearby ships or aircraft to the ship’s location.
Types:
Parachute flares: Launch high into the sky and release a bright flare.
Hand flares: Held in hand and used for short-range signaling.
Smoke signals: Emit colored smoke to signal location during the day.
10. Marine Evacuation Systems (MES)
Purpose: Fast evacuation systems, often including inflatable chutes or slides to safely evacuate passengers to life rafts.
11. General Alarm System
Purpose: Alerts crew and passengers about emergencies through sound and visual signals.
12. First Aid Equipment
Purpose: Essential for treating injuries and medical emergencies during a rescue or while awaiting rescue.
These life-saving appliances are crucial for survival at sea and are mandatory equipment aboard all commercial ships to ensure safety in emergency situations.