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Types of Lifeboat Release Mechanisms
& SOLAS Requirements for Lifeboats
By Anish | In: Maritime Law | Last Updated on May 6, 2016
There are different types of lifeboats used on board a ship on the basis of the type of ship and
other special requirements. Not all the lifeboats have the same type of releasing mechanisms, for
the launching of a lifeboat depends on several other factors. In this article we will take a look at the
main types of lifeboat releasing mechanisms and also learn about the SOLAS requirements for
lifeboats.
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Types of lifeboat releases: On load and off load release.
There are two types of lifeboat releasing mechanisms on load and off load. These mechanisms
release the boat from the davit, which is attached to a wire or fall by means of a hook. By
releasing the hook the lifeboat can be set free to propel away from the ship.
http://www.marineinsight.com/maritimelaw/typesoflifeboatreleasemechanismssolasrequirementsforlifeboats/ 1/12
7/5/2016 Types of Lifeboat Release Mechanisms & SOLAS Requirements for Lifeboats
Credits: Remi Jouan/wikipedia.org
Off load mechanism:
The off load mechanism releases the boat after the load of the boat is transferred to water or the
boat has been lowered fully into the sea. When the boat touches the surface of water, the load on
the fall and hence the hook releases and due to its mechanism the hook detaches from the fall. If
the detachment dose not takes place, any of the crew members can remove the hook from the fall.
Most of the times the offload mechanism is manually disengaged in case of malfunction; however,
in case of fire, it is dangerous to go out and release the hook.
On load mechanism:
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7/5/2016 Types of Lifeboat Release Mechanisms & SOLAS Requirements for Lifeboats
Credits: Emmanuel Esber
On load mechanism can release the lifeboat from the wire, with the ship above the water level and
with all the crew members inside the boat. The load will be still on the fall as the boat would not
have touched the water. Normally the height of about 1 m is kept for the on load release, so that
the fall is smooth without damaging the boat and harming the crew inside. A lever is provided
inside the boat to operate this mechanism. As the lever is operated from inside, it is safe to free
the boat without going of the out lifeboat, when there is a fire on ship.
Free Fall life boat release:
In Free fall life boat, the launching mechanism is similar to on load release. the only difference is
that the free fall lifeboat is not lowered till 1m above water level, it is launched from the stowed
position by operating a lever located inside the boat which releases the boat from rest of the davit
and boat slides through the tilted ramp into the water.
http://www.marineinsight.com/maritimelaw/typesoflifeboatreleasemechanismssolasrequirementsforlifeboats/ 3/12
7/5/2016 Types of Lifeboat Release Mechanisms & SOLAS Requirements for Lifeboats
Credits: Riley Huntley/wikipedia.org
SOLAS and LSA code Requirements for lifeboat:
The size, number and the capacity of the lifeboat for a merchant vessel is decided by the type of
the ship and number of ship’s crew, but it should not be less then 7.3 m in length and minimum
two lifeboats are provided on both side of the ship (port and starboard).
The requirement for lifeboat of a cargo ship with 20,000 GT is that the boat must be capable of
launching when the ship is heading with a speed of 5 knots.
The lifeboat must carry all the equipments described under SOLAS which can be used in survival
at sea. It includes rations, fresh water, first aid, compass, distress signalling equipments like rocket
etc.
The ship must carry one rescue boat for rescue purpose along with other lifeboats. One lifeboat
can be designated as a rescue boat if more then one lifeboat is present onboard ship.
The gravity davits must be hold and slide down the lifeboat even when the ship is heeled to an
angle of 15 degree on either side. Ropes are used to hold the lifeboat in stowed position with
cradle. These ropes are called gripes.
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7/5/2016 Types of Lifeboat Release Mechanisms & SOLAS Requirements for Lifeboats
The wires which lift or lower the lifeboat are known as falls and the speed of the lifeboat descent
should not be more then 36m/ min which is controlled by means of centrifugal brakes.
The hoisting time for the boat launching appliance should not be less then 0.3 m/sec with the boat
loaded to its full capacity.
The Lifeboat must be painted in international bright orange color with the ship’s call sign printed
on it.
The lifeboat station must be easily accessible for all the crew members in all circumstances.
Safety awareness posters and launching procedures must be posted at lifeboat station.
Regular drills must be carried out to ensure that the ship’s crew members are capable of
launching the boat with minimal time during real emergency.
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About Anish
An ardent sailor and a techie, Anish Wankhede has voyaged on a number of ships as a
marine engineer officer. He loves multitasking, networking, and troubleshooting. He is the
one behind the unique creativity and aesthetics at Marine Insight.
Comments
Rahul says
NOVEMBER 3, 2013 AT 4:50 AM
Thanks Anish for this basic but wonderful article. Sometimes its the basics which are
overlooked while preparing for exams haha. Really needed this article.
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7/5/2016 Types of Lifeboat Release Mechanisms & SOLAS Requirements for Lifeboats
saeed Ghavami says
JANUARY 6, 2014 AT 11:29 AM
I have a question. I want to know that as per which rules and regulations the release
mechanism of free fall life boat no need to test by 1.1 times of total mass every five years?
VAHID YASERI says
APRIL 9, 2014 AT 2:56 PM
DEAR SAEED GHAVAMI
THE FREE FALL LIFE BOAT NEED TO 1.1 TIMES OF TOTAL MASS EVERY FIVE YEARS.
AS PER AS PER TO MANUFACTURE MANUAL
Jaspal says
MAY 2, 2014 AT 3:28 PM
Will it be possible for you to post complete maintenance of Lifeboat.
khan abdul hakim says
DECEMBER 15, 2014 AT 2:00 PM
Can u plz tell the time or speed for launching of free fall lifeboat
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