Section 4.1 Page 4.

General Requirements Launching arrangements are to be such that the fully laden survival craft or rescue boat can be deployed even if the mother vessel has an adverse trim of 10 and a list of 20 in either direction. On vessels constructed before 1986 the trim and list limits are 10 and 15 respectively, and for oil, chemical and gas carriers the list limits may be greater as determined by a vessel's damage stability requirements. These requirements do not apply to the secondary means of launching free-fall lifeboats.

Launching of survival craft or rescue boats must be independent of the ship's power supplies and may rely only on gravity or independent stored mechanical power. (An exception to this is that the secondary means of launching free-fall lifeboats may rely on ship's power). The launching appliance must be a low maintenance system and, as far as practicable, remain operational even in conditions of icing. The system must be arranged to facilitate safe boarding.

The launching system, excluding winch brakes, must be statically load tested to 2.2 times the maximum working load. Winches are statically load tested to 1.5 times the maximum working load and dynamically load tested to 1.1 times the maximum working load at maximum lowering speed.

Falls and Winches Falls are to be resistant to rotation and constructed from corrosion resistant steel wire rope. They must be long enough to allow the survival craft to reach the water in its lightest sea-going draft, against an adverse list of 20 and unfavourable trim.

Hand gear is provided for the recovery of each survival craft. Where davit arms are recovered by

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power safety devices ('limit switches') automatically cut the power before the fall or davit becomes

Section 4.1 Page 4.2

Maximum and minimum lowering speeds for fully laden and vacated survival craft are laid down or are to be to approved by the appropriate authority.

Each launching appliance must be fitted with a brake so that descent of the survival craft or rescue boat may be stopped at any time. Manual brakes must be arranged so that they automatically assume the 'ON' position, unless the operator HOLDS the brake in the 'OFF' position.

Section 4.2 Page 4.3

In addition to the general requirements previously stated, on vessels built after July 1986 the launching appliance must: Allow the lifeboat to be boarded and launched directly from the stowed position (applies to cargo vessels only) . Be arranged so that the launching can be activated by one person on the ship's deck, and also from within the lifeboat (this also applies to liferafts).

On some older vessels davits are sometimes conspicuously marked with a red band six inches wide painted on a white background to indicate that the strength of the deck or davit is insufficient for safely launching and recovering the lifeboat when loaded with its full complement of persons and equipment. In such cases the lifeboat may be launched and recovered with the operating crew only. Other occupants must embark or disembark the boat whilst it is afloat and the launching system not under load.

Radial davits are now generally obsolete but may be found on older vessels. They comprise a manually hauled block and rope tackle at each end of the lifeboat. Experience and skill is required to lift, swing out and lower the lifeboat.

Section 4.2 Page 4.4

Luffing davit hand operated by a mechanical worm screw

Releasing a lifeboat from a traditional block and fall system has always been a time fraught with danger. Heavy chains and heavy floating blocks subject to

Traditional open lifeboat. Note the heavy lifting chain and fall block which may present a danger during launching and recovery.

Section 4.2 Page 4.6

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Hydrostatic

lock / sensor

Typical arrangement

of lifeboat On-Load / Off Load release mechanism Schat-Harding

Section 4.2 Page 4.8

Typical On-Load / Off-Load release handle in a totally enclosed lifeboat. The red release lever is to the right of the coxswain's seat.

To release the lifeboat from the falls after it is waterborne

(off-load) first remove the safety pin (with the blue

head) and then the red lever must be lifted and pulled downwards.

To release the lifeboat in an on-load condition it is necessary to break the glass located to the right of the red lever. This will give access to the override mechanism falls whether or not it is waterborne. release, requires progressive which will allow the boat to be released from the The process, which is designed to prevent premature or accidental

actions and cannot be completed without the coxswain leaving his seat and other occupants being aware that he is doing so.

Section 4.2 Page 4.9

When recovering a boat with a patented release system care must be taken to ensure that all control and safety devices are correctly set, that release pin cams properly engage and that the falls are properly engaged by the lifting hooks. With some systems there is a significant potential for serious accidents during recovery and the utmost care must be taken.

On-Load / Off Load disengaging gear requires regular servicing and proof testing at intervals not exceeding five years.

Section 4.2 Page 4.10

Free Fall Launching and Recovery After boarding and ensuring that each person is correctly secured in their seat and the stern door is closed the boat is released from the stowage position by the coxswain completing the operations that release the main lock and release gear. The boat the rolls down the inclined trackway at the velocity necessary to clear the trackway and free fall, bow first to the water. The boat will 'porpoise' in the water, regain the surface, and have sufficient momentum to be making headway.

If, because of lack of stern space or depth of water, free-fall launching is not a safe option, then the boat may be deployed using the falls and winch. The necessary locks must be released and the suspension sling engaged on the hook. Details of the launching method will vary according to the boat and davit manufacturer, but the object is to launch the boat in a controlled manner, even when the free-fall option is not available.

To recover a free-fall lifeboat the davit arm is lowered and the boat manoeuvred beneath it, with the lifeboat stern-on to the stern of the mother vessel. Once hooked on the boat is lifted by winch and falls, re-stowed on the trackway and made secure and ready for use once again.

Section 4.3 Page 4.11

Rescue boat launching appliances may be either a single fall or twin fall system and they must comply with the general requirements for davits, previously outlined in this section. In addition all rescue boats must be capable of being launched with the parent vessel making up to five knots headway, in calm conditions. To meet this criteria painters may be used. Each rescue boat launching appliance must be fitted with a powered winch motor capable of raising the boat from the water with its full complement and equipment at a rate of not less than a.3m/s.

The arrangement must allow for the rescue boat to be boarded and launched directly from the stowed position complete with the operating crew. An exception to this is that if the rescue boat is also a lifeboat, and other lifeboats are boarded and launched from an embarkation deck, then a similar arrangement may apply to the rescue boat.

The rescue boat and its launching arrangement must be kept in a continuous state of readiness so that it may be launched in five minutes or less.

If a rescue boat launching and recovery system with two falls is used some administrations require that a nylon recovery strop

arrangement is available to facilitate operations in adverse weather. The purpose and method of using nylon recovery strops has been previously described in the section Lifeboat Disengaging and Recovery.

Section 4.3 Page 4.12

Wave Compensating

Davits

Launching and recovery davits for fast rescue boats - as required on seagoing passenger vessels - have to take into account that the fast rescue boat is intended to be safely launched and recovered even in severe weather. Such davits are fitted with devices to compensate for the rise and fall due to the waves and swell, and for the oscillations due to the motion of the parent vessel. The winch is fitted with an automatic high speed tensioning device which prevents the wire fall from going slack because of the sea state.

Types of on-load / off-load release hooks used with single fall rescue boat launching systems.

If the same davit is used to launch life rafts and the rescue boat two different hooks are connected to the same runner. Here the liferaft off-load release hook is seen on the left and the rescue boat on-Ioad/off-Ioad hook is on the right.

Section 4.4 Page 4.14

A davit-launch immediately

Iiferaft inflated at the davit head, prior to being bowsed alongside.

After boarding the raft will be lowered to the water.

Types at off-load release hooks used with literatt launching systems.

so that the hook opens and releases the liferaft once the load has been removed, i.e. when the raft is waterborne. 'Setting' the hook should be deferred until the raft is near the water (say 11/2 m ). If

On this davit launched liferaft the black closure gives access to the lowering shackle

After connecting the off-load release hook the liferaft is swung out ready for inflation 1= Painter line. 2= Bowsing lines

3= Container retention line 4= Handle giving remote lowering control from within the inflated raft

After inflation at the davit head the raft is bowsed hard alongside and then boarded

The bowsing lines are then released and the literaft is lowered to the water

Pullout bowsing lines 4 and secure

Hoist container on davit and swing out board

Make painter 6 fast to a strong point

Inflate liferaft by pulling on painter line

Use bowsing lines to secure raft hard alongside The liferaft is now ready for boarding

When liferaft is boarded, release bowsing lines and commence lowering

Activate hook when liferaft is 2 metres above the water The hook will release automatically when raft is waterborne Cut painter and move raft clear of ship

Section 4.4 Page 4.18

f4]-- --

Section 4.4 Page 4.19

The Hydrostatic Release Unit (HRU) is a device designed to automatically release some item after it has become submerged to a pre-determined depth. They thus free, and make available

for survivors to use, essential equipment which might otherwise sink with a stricken vessel. HRUs are used with EPIRB's, and some lifeboats, but they are most commonly associated with liferafts.

Normally a liferaft is restrained in its cradle by means of a strap which includes a manual, quick release device such as a senhouse slip. Incorporated into the liferaft restraining and painter securing system is an HRU. Should an occasion occur when manual release is impossible (e.g. it the vessel were to sink very rapidly) the HRU will release the liferaft from the cradle and cause it to inflate.

When more than one liferaft is stowed on the same cradle or launching ramp, some administrations permit the use of one HRU for all rafts grouped together, whilst others

require a separate HRU for each literatt. As indicated previously, a liferaft stowed forward at a distance of over 100m from other survival craft need not be fitted with an HRU. This is because the unit may release the liferaft after becoming submerged in heavy bow seas. HRUs set to release at greater depth than the standard (as used on some naval ships) are available to suit particular needs.

Section 4.4 Page 4.20

The liferaft starts to surface because of its internal buoyancy, pulling out the painter, which is now only connected to the vessel by the "weak link."

~ ~~
When the painter is pulled out fully the liferaft inflates and the buoyancy force acting on the inflating liferaft is sufficient to break the weak link. The raft is now free of the stricken vessel and will be fully inflated at the surface ready for boarding.

A hand operated vacuum pump connected to a release unit via small bore stainless steel tubing.

IO ..m, Ilo'''''ID! I
IOlfU,lU

Il~(!) I
K'm

Control panel for electric remote release of liferafts.

Schematic arrangement of a remote liferaft release system using stored gas pressure.

Section 4.5 Page 4.22

The form taken by a means of rescue may vary from being based on a davit launched liferaft, a rescue boat or on a marine evacuation system.

If the means of rescue is a form of davit launched liferaft then the launching davit must be fitted with a powered winch capable of raising the loaded means of rescue to the deck of the ship at a rate of at least O.3m/sec. An appliance used for the launch and recovery of a fast rescue boat may be used as part of a means of rescue system provided it meets and does not conflict with any other relevant requirement. A means of rescue based on a marine evacuation system must be provided with a mechanically powered means to safely hoist persons lying down.

Section 4.6 Page 4.23

The lighting systems at muster and embarkation stations must be powered from the ship's mains and from the emergency power supplies, and so arranged that any interruption affecting either supply will not leave any area without illumination.

In and around the launching area the following must be illuminated. Passenger Ships Decks from which survival craft are embarked. Launching gear and survival craft. Water into which the survival craft will be launched. The stowage position of throwover liferafts. Posters and signs in vicinity of survival craft. Assembly & embarkation stations. Cargo Ships Launching gear and survival craft. Water into which the survival craft will be launched. The stowage position of throwover liferafts. Posters and signs in vicinity of survival craft.

Boat preparation lights should illuminate entrances to lifeboats, interiors of partially enclosed lifeboats and rescue boats. In addition the winches and deck area surrounding the davits should also be illuminated. In small ships, where it is impracticable to fit permanent lighting, rechargeable portable battery lamps (not torches) may be permitted.

Section 4.6 Page 4.24

Vessels that carry a liferaft forward (e.g. tankers and bulk carriers) that may not have lighting provided in the area may illuminate the area by use of a hand safety lamp or torch.

Section 4.7 Page 4.25

Launching survival craft should not be endangered or inhibited by factors that may be hazardous or add difficulty to the evacuation process. There should be available means to prevent any overboard discharge of water on to survival craft during abandonment or man overboard operations. If there is a danger that any of survival craft may be damaged by stabilizer fins there is to be available a method, operable from the emergency power source, of bringing the fins inboard. Other dangers and inhibitions when launching include propellers, thrusters, bilge keels, sea suctions, rubbing bands and other hull protrusions, etc.

It should be remembered that some protrusions and discharges that are normally well below the waterline may be a more significant danger if the ship takes on an unusual list or trim.