ASCE Ab Ltd.

SIDE MOUNTED DOCKING SYSTEM

FOR
FAST RESCUE BOAT
***
INSTALLATION
&
USERS MANUAL
ASCE Ab Ltd.
Norra Esplanadgatan 4 B
FI-22100 MARIEHAMN
Phone: +358-18-19966
Fax: +358-18-17696
E-mail: asce@aland.net
www: http://home.aland.net/asce/

List of content:
SKETCHES ...........................................................................................................................3
General Arrangement without Rescue Boat ........................................................................3
General Arrangement with Rescue Boat .............................................................................4
GENERAL INFORMATION.................................................................................................5
General description of the system.......................................................................................5
Purpose of the Docking System..........................................................................................6
INSTALLATION OF THE DOCKING SYSTEM .................................................................8
General Requirements for Installation.................................................................................8
Installation onboard............................................................................................................8
Testing the installed equipment ..........................................................................................9
Required approvals of the installation.................................................................................9
USERS MANUAL ...............................................................................................................11
Preparations prior to launching .........................................................................................11
Launching the Docking System ........................................................................................11
Release of rescue boat from Docking Unit ........................................................................11
Docking of rescue boat into the Docking Unit ..................................................................12
Hoisting the rescue boat with Docking Unit ......................................................................12
Emergency operation in case of failure of Docking Unit ...................................................12
Maintenance of the Docking Unit .....................................................................................13
ENCLOSED DRAWINGS...................................................................................................14

SKETCHES
General Arrangement without Rescue Boat

1. Floating elements
2. Balancing rudders
3. Forward arc
4. Aft arc
5. Guiding unit
6. Upper guiding plate
7. Lower guiding plate

8. Lifting link
9. Towage link
10. Safety net
11. Painter line
12. Lifting wire
13. Lifting eye
14. Towing point
15. Positioning strap for 13.

General Arrangement with Rescue Boat

GENERAL INFORMATION
General description of the system
The docking system for safe launching and recovery of a Rescue Boat, has been developed to
avoid the well known risks of these operations during rough weather conditions. In the design,
great attention has been paid to the simplicity and easy handling of the system. Furthermore,
any approved lifting and painter appliance for Rescue Boat handling can be used for the
system since the docking system is only a complementary equipment to the standard
equipment used on ships for these purposes.
The Docking Unit consists of the following main parts (see enclosed General Arrangement
sketch):
Part No.:
1. Two U-shaped polyethylene pipes with high impact strength and completely filled
with polyurethane foam forms the buoyancy tubes of the Docking Unit. In case of
damage to the buoyancy tubes, the foam water absorption is less than 5 %.
2. Each buoyancy tube (1) is equipped with a balancing rudder to guarantee steady
course during towage. These balancing rudders can be somewhat adjusted to give the
Docking Unit a slight off-course direction from the towage line off-course towards the
ships side to ensure less risky approach of the rescue boat.
3. The forward arc of aluminium (3) binds the buoyancy tubes (1) together and is
connected to the aft arc (4) and to the lifting eye connection box (13). The arc shape
guarantees high strength against impacts against ships side.
4. The aft arc of stainless steel (4) has the same function as the forward arc (3) as
described above.
5. The forward guiding unit in aluminium (5) binds the forward ends of the buoyancy
tubes (1) together and integrates the guiding plates (6 & 7) for the Rescue Boat as
well as the painter fitting (14).
6. Guiding plate in aluminium (6) for fender list of rescue boat.
7. Guiding plate in aluminium (7) for the keel of the rescue boat.
8. Lifting link (8) between the Docking Unit and the rescue Boat. The short link is
connected to the lifting hook of the rescue boat, which is released for undocking and
locked for docking/lifting. The lifting eye is positioned by two stretchable straps.
9. Towage link (9), which guarantees towage of the rescue boat in the Docking Unit
when the lifting link (8) is connected.
10. Safety net to prevent crew and rescued persons to fall out of rescue boat during
impacts against ships side.
11. Painter line (11), (towing line).
12. Lifting wire from lifting appliance (12), equipped with swivel.
13. Lifting eye with connection box (13). The lifting eye can be released from the
Docking Unit by simply removing a safety pin.
14. Towing point (14) for painter (towing) line.
Each Docking Unit is specially made for each type of rescue boat to fit the shape of the boat
and to (also in weight) fit the self-tensioning system of the lifting appliance.

Purpose of the Docking System

The Docking system has been designed to make launching and recovery of a rescue boat in
severe weather and sea conditions possible and to eliminate the risks of injury for the
operating crew and rescued persons during such operations.
The principle of the system is as follows:
The Docking Unit forms a protective floating collar around the rescue boat.
The lifting wire from the lifting appliance is fitted to the lifting eye in the Connection
Box (13) and needs never to be released.
The rescue boat is fitted to the lifting system by applying the short lifting link (8) into
the lifting hook of the rescue boat. I.e. the rescue boat is always lifted directly in the
lifting hook without any lifting support from the Docking Unit.
The painter line is fitted directly to the towing point of the Docking Unit and is
always, during the whole operation, fitted and needs never to be released or cared
about.
The whole system (Docking Unit & rescue boat) is launched into the sea. The Docking
Unit itself and the safety net (10) protect the rescue boat and the crew to fall out of the
boat at impacts against ships side. When launched, the self tensioning system is made
active and the Docking Unit and the rescue boat are towed by the mother ship. After
starting the engine, the rescue boat is released from the Docking Unit by releasing the
boats lifting hook and the rescue boat can then dock out of the Docking Unit to
undertake its rescue mission.
During the rescue mission of the rescue boat, the Docking Unit can be towed
alongside the mother vessel by deactivating the self-tensioning system and slacken the
lifting wire enough to allow vertical movements due to the sea or lifted onboard into
parked position. This is important for not overheating the hydraulic system of the
lifting appliance by using the self-tensioning system too long.
When the rescue boat approaches the Docking Unit for docking, the Docking Unit is
lowered into the sea and the self-tensioning system of the lifting appliance is made
active.
The Docking Unit follows the motions of the sea and is in phase with the motion of
the approaching rescue boat. When the rescue boat is fully inside the Docking Unit, its
short lifting link is connected to the locked lifting hook of the rescue boat. The rescue
boat can the be towed inside the Docking Unit alongside the mother ship or hoisted up
to its parking position onboard the mother ship. The Docking unit forms the same
protection for the rescue boat and its crew/passengers against impacts towards the
ships side as during launching.
When the system is parked onboard the mother vessel, rescued persons can be taken
care of and the crew can continue rescue operations.
The main advantages of the system, compared to traditional operating procedures, are as
follows:
1. The painter line can be totally forgotten and all the risks connecting the painter line to
the rescue boat during recovery operation is totally eliminated.
2. The lifting wire is always in fixed position compared to the painter line thus avoiding
any swinging of the free end of the lifting wire and accordingly prevents risks for the
operating crew.

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3. Due to the weight of the Docking Unit, the self-tensioning system of the lifting
appliance can be activated during launching and recovery operation thus avoiding
risks for the operating crew.

INSTALLATION OF THE DOCKING SYSTEM

General Requirements for Installation
Generally all approved lifting appliances for rescue boats can be used for the Docking
System, considering suitable painter and self-tensioning system.
As the Docking Unit increases the required lifting capacity of the lifting appliance, it has
to be considered when ordering the Unit or upgrading the lifting appliance as necessary.
The Docking Unit must be specially adapted for each size and type of rescue boat to host
the rescue boat efficiently during operation.
The weight of the Docking Unit has to be adopted to the characteristics of the selftensioning system of the lifting winch. The lowering force of the self-tensioning system
has to be approximately 1/3 of the weight of the Docking Unit to function without
disturbances in rough sea. Also the reaction speed of the self-tensioning system between
lowering and hoisting is to be in accordance with frequency of sea waves or to meet a
peak wave period of about 2 seconds.
The painter system must be installed with a rising angle of maximum 30 degrees in order
not to affect the efficiency of the self-tensioning system. At 30 degrees angle the lifting
resultant is 50 % of the towing force.
The speed of the mother vessel when the Docking System is operated is also of great
importance as the towing force increases with higher speeds. As a general rule the mother
ship is to be kept at manoeuvrable speed and not to exceed 5 knots.
Specially worked out limitations and resulting forces are worked out by the supplier of the
Docking System for each installation.
The Lifting appliance must be tested with 2.2 SWL (safe working load)overload as
factory test and installation onboard tested with 1.5 SWL statically and 1.1 SWL
dynamically.

Installation onboard
When the Docking Unit is delivered it has to be tested together with the rescue boat on
water to check that the boat fits the Docking Unit as intended and that the lifting links fit
well to the lifting hook of the rescue boat. The system should then be lifted together out of
the water and the following checks and adjustments performed:

Check that the middle of the fender list on the rescue boat at its longitudinal centre
of gravity meets the centre of the floating bodies. If not, the length of the lifting
link may need to be adjusted to meet this requirement.
Check the trim angle of the freely hanging boat and Docking Unit with empty
boat, manned boat and manned boat with rescued persons. If necessary, the lifting
point in the Docking Unit may need to be longitudinally shifted to obtain optimum
desired trim.

Check that the fore part of the rescue boat fits well into the conical part of the
Docking Unit. If not, necessary adjustments to be carried out.
Fit the painter line to the towing point of the Docking Unit

Testing the installed equipment

After the Docking Unit has been installed and properly adjusted to fit to the rescue boat, the
following test procedures are to be carried out:

The lifting appliance is to be test loaded with 1.5 SWL statically. The test is to be
carried out preferably with test weight and with the Docking Unit and the rescue boat
hooked off.
The lifting appliance is to be test loaded with 1.1 SWL and the test weight to be
lowered at full speed with winch break released and then engaged.
The self-tensioning system on lifting winch is to be checked by applying a test weight
of same weight as the light ship weight of the rescue boat. The test weight is to be
hoisted up and down with a secondary crane at a frequency of about 2 seconds. The
lifting wire should at all time without slack and jerk, follow the up and down
movements. If possible the corresponding self-tension lift and lowering forces to be
measured by dynamometer.
The function of the painter system is to be checked.
All relevant certificates are to be checked.
The above tests are to be supervised by relevant authority.
After the above tests have been carried out and approved the following tests are to be carried
out:

The Docking Unit with its rescue boat is to be lowered without crew into the water
and hoisted back onboard into parking position while the mother ship is in port to
ensure safe functioning of the lifting procedure.
The same launching procedure is to be carried out with crew onboard. After the
system has been launched, the rescue boat is to be released from the Docking Unit
and reversed out of the Docking Unit. While the rescue boat is manoeuvring outside
the Docking Unit, the self-tensioning system is to be activated to check that the
Docking Unit is not lifted out of the water. The rescue boat steers back into the
Docking Unit and docks with the Docking Unit. The whole system is lifted back
onboard again. This test is also carried out while the mother ship is in port.
The both above procedures are to be carried out in sheltered water while the mother
vessel is steaming with less than 5 knots.
The operating crew has to be well trained to be familiar with the system and then
gradually start to use it during more demanding weather conditions.

Required approvals of the installation

The following approvals should be on hand after the System has been installed, adjusted and
checked:

Appropriate approval certificates for the Rescue Boat.

Appropriate works certificate for the lifting appliance including wires, shackles,
swivels, etc.

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Appropriate approval certificates for the Docking Unit.

Installation approval certificates.
Handling competence certificates for the operating crew
Other documents as required by the appropriate approval authority

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USERS MANUAL
Preparations prior to launching
Prior to launching the rescue boat and Docking unit, the following checks to be carried out:
The operating crew is to wear appropriate outfitting, survival suits, life vests, etc.
Check that painter line runs freely and is not worn.
Check the function of the painter boom and line system.
Check the fastenings on Docking Unit, rescue boat and lifting appliance.
Loosen the safety/parking lashings for the system.
Check the safety net.
Check the mattresses.
Engage the lifting appliance and check the function of it by short manoeuvres.
Embark the rescue boat with the operating crew.
Check radio communication and ensure people on bridge are aware of the operation.
Check the heading, wind/wave direction and the speed of the mother vessel (< 5
knots).
Lower the rescue boat and the Docking Unit into the water.

Launching the Docking System

The following actions are to be taken during the launching procedure:

During lowering, confirm by radio to the mother vessel that everything is OK.
Check that the painter line follows freely during lowering.
Be aware of possible impact against vessels outside.
When the Docking Unit and the rescue boat reach the water, check that the painter line
takes the towing force and activate the self-tensioning system.
The engine of the rescue boat to be started.
Check with the operating crew that everything is OK.

Release of rescue boat from Docking Unit

The following actions are to be taken:

Apply slight thrust forward on the rescue boat, enough to slacken the towing line
between Docking Unit and the rescue boat.
Release the lifting hook in the rescue boat.
Reduce thrust and let the rescue boat reverse out of the Docking Unit.
Immediately when the rescue boat is aft of Docking Unit, apply hard outboard rudder
and thrust to steer off the mother vessel in order to avoid impact or squeezing under
the fender list of the mother vessel.
Rescue mission is started.

Handling the Docking Unit during towage without rescue boat

The following actions are to be taken when the rescue boat has released from the Docking
Unit and commenced the rescue mission.

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To avoid overheating of the hydraulic system, the self-tensioning system is to be

deactivated immediately after the rescue boat has docked out from the Docking Unit.
To avoid slacks and jerks in the lifting wire due to the motions of the sea, the lifting
wire has to be given either enough slack or the Docking Unit has to be lifted out of the
water. If lifted out of the water, the lifting appliance is to be manoeuvred inboard to
hold the Docking Unit steady against the ships side to avoid impacts.
Alternatively, if the rescue mission is time consuming, the Docking Unit may be lifted
back onboard.

Docking of rescue boat into the Docking Unit

When the rescue boat approaches the Docking Unit for docking and recovery back onboard,
the following actions are to be taken:

The Docking Unit is lowered back into the water and the self-tensioning system is
activated.
The rescue boat approaches the Docking Unit with a speed, exceeding the towing
speed with 3-5 knots, and manoeuvres directly in between the buoyancy tubes.
One crew member is prepared to immediately fix the lifting link into the lifting hook
of the rescue boat. Once the rescue boat has docked and the lifting link has been
fixed, it has to be double checked that the hook is in locked position.
The thrust of the rescue boat is turned off and the towing of the rescue boat and
fixing to the Docking Unit is then taken over by the towing chain in the Docking
Unit.
Radio signal is given to the mother vessel that the Unit is ready for hoisting.
When hoisting has started the engine is turned off.

Hoisting the rescue boat with Docking Unit

When the hoisting of the rescue boat and Docking Unit has started, the following to is be
aware of:

In severe weather conditions, be prepared for impacts against mother vessels side.
Ensure rescued persons and crew are securely fastened.
Check that painter line is not hooked to obstacles on the ships side.
Keep constant radio contact with mother vessel during the whole hoisting operation.
When the rescue boat and the Docking Unit have reached the parking position
onboard, release the safety net of the Docking Unit and disembark rescued persons
and crew.

Emergency operation in case of failure of the Docking Unit

If the Docking Unit, for some reason during towage awaiting the rescue boat, will be severely
damaged and not operational, the following steps are to be taken:
Manoeuvre the rescue boat into or next to the Docking Unit.
The damaged Docking Unit to be released from the lifting wire by releasing the
locking pin in the lifting connection box. The lifting wire will now be freed for direct

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lift of the rescue boat. Be aware of possible swinging of the wire and that the selftensioning system now cannot be in use!
The painter line is released from the Docking Unit by releasing the fastening device
and the Unit is left for free drifting aftwards (left behind).
The Rescue boat now catches the painter line and fastens it to the towage hook. The
rescue boat catches the free lifting wire and connects it to the lifting hook of the boat.
The rescue boat can now be hoisted in a traditional manner back onboard.
Alternatively, the Docking Unit can be released from the deck level of the mother
ship by hoisting the Unit to relevant position.

Maintenance of the Docking Unit

The following routine checks are to be made to the Docking Unit on a monthly basis:

Check that the buoyancy tubes are intact and that no water is dripping out.
Check that steel bands around the PE pipes are properly fixed and not damaged.
Check all welds and connections for cracks or loose bolts.
Check the lifting links and its components.
Check that the stretchable positioning straps for lifting hook are intact and functioing
as intended.
Check that the release pin in the lifting connection box is easily removable and that the
release cover easily comes off.
Check that the towing point is easily releasable.
Check that the safety net is intact and its fastenings are OK.
Check that all mattress protected spots are intact to avoid personal injuries.

For further information, please contact the manufacturer.