Eide Marine Tech brings us a new Freefall lifeboat design. In a press release they write: [Continue Reading →]

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Schat-Harding Lifeboats has recently announced delivery of the world’s largest lifeboats to the world’s largest cruise ship, Royal Caribbean International’s Oasis of the Seas.

The Oasis of the Seas is equipped with eighteen of Schat-Harding’s unique, 370-person CRV55 lifeboats . What makes them unique is the fact they are the only pure lifeboat with a catamaran hull. The LS45 davit, which these boats use to launch from the massive ship, is a completely new integrated system for cruise vessels. The lifeboats are lowered directly from the stowed position, so no outswing is needed. The entire boat, in fact, is positioned outside the hull of the ship. The CRV55 is of reinforced construction and has a special ‘green sea’ lashing system, making it secure in high waves. Schat Harding tells us:
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The attached photos of a Schat Harding Lifeboat came to us via the gCaptain tip Line (tips@gcaptain.com) and show extensive damage to a lifeboat. The tip came with the following unconfirmed comment: [Continue Reading →]

What does behavioral economics have to do with lifeboat safety?

Lifeboat safety has been a major topic recently with davit related incidents and injuries hitting a fever pitch in recent months. In a recent interview with Tradewinds Ove Roessland , CEO of lifeboat manufacturer Schat Harding, was quoted as saying ““Schat Harding welcomes any initiative that improves safety at sea, and the safety of lifeboats in particular.” “With respect to hooks, all the evidence is that properly designed on-load release hooks, when correctly maintained, are safe and fulfill the function they were designed for – to get seafarers and the boat safely away.” (Via BR)
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This story comes via our friends at the excellent blog Maritime Accident Casebook (MAC for short). Bob Couttie writes: [Continue Reading →]

This video came to use through our tip line. We don’t have details on the incident but it clearly shows the dangers of this lifesaving system.

Imagine, if you can, the confluence of events that would have to take place to leave you with marine flares being your primary method of signaling distress.  The number of devices that have to fail or become unavailable to you is amazing.  Your radios, GMDSS, SARTS, ERPIRBs, any number of SATCOM devices all have to be down (or gone) for pyrotechnics to be the best option. The things are the ultimate litmus test for a bad day at sea; i.e. If you ever find yourself launching a flare and you are not practicing, you are definitely having one.  If you find yourself reading the directions on the label then things are much, much worse.

Perhaps because the use of pyrotechnics in an emergency is so rare, there are a lot of misconceptions about the devices, their practicality, and how to best use these “last ditch” signals.  Here are some things all mariners should consider before pulling the trigger (or pulling the lanyard, or lever, or…): [Continue Reading →]

Noresafe Lifeboats aboard AWILCO GM4000 series offshore oil rigs.

Over the past two days gCaptain has fielded questions from the Wall Street Journal, Associated Press, Good Morning America and a number of other well known organizations, each trying to get a better idea of situation aboard the Maersk Alabama.

Last night it was reported that the vessel’s master, Captain Phillips, volunteered to be taken hostage and help the pirates escape via the ship’s lifeboat. Today, questions from the press centered around the lifeboat. Here is a short FAQ to help you understand the conditions aboard the boat that currently holds the pirates and ship’s master: [Continue Reading →]

Aboard ship one always hopes they never need to take a sleigh ride into an unfriendly sea but Ship Happens. When it does you’re going to be very pleased the guys at Petrofac and SurvivalTech are running boats through extensive tests. The following is video of their facility and a few design drawings from lifeboat engineers. [Continue Reading →]