GB2031850A

GB2031850A - Vessel having an installation for launching a lifeboat

Info

Publication number: GB2031850A
Application number: GB7930202A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: SCHAT DAVIT BV
Current assignee: SCHAT DAVIT BV
Priority date: 1978-09-04
Filing date: 1979-08-31
Publication date: 1980-04-30
Also published as: NL168769B; NL168769C; GB2031850B; NO792720L; NO148845C; NL7809049A; NO148845B; JPS5536198A

Abstract

A vessel has at least one installation for launching a lifeboat, comprising one or more sets of tackle 6,7 connected to means for hauling in or paying out said tackle, the free end of said tackle being releasably connected to the lifeboat at a suspension point 9, and a cradle 19 which is provided with rollers and which guides the lifeboat in its movement along the wall of the vessel when the lifeboat is launched, said cradle being connected by a projecting end to the free part of the tackle at 20, whereby the suspension point 9 is situated between the central longitudinal plane 21 and that side of the lifeboat which faces the wall of the vessel. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Vessel having an installation for launching a lifeboat This invention relates to a vessel having at least one installation for launching a lifeboat, comprising one or more sets of tackle connected to means for hauling in or paying out said tackle, the free end of said tackle being releasably connected to the lifeboat at a suspension point, and a cradle which is provided with rollers and which guides the lifeboat in its movement along the wall of the vessel when the lifeboat is launched, said cradle being connected by a projecting end to the free part of the tackle. A launching installation of this kindforlifeboats is generally known. Lifeboats are usually used in the event of an accident, when the vessel has to be left rapidly. The vessel may list either to port or starboard during boarding of the lifeboat.In the event of a steep iist, the lifeboats may swing away from that side of the vessel as a result of the turning moment exerted on the lifeboat suspension point. This applies particularly if, as was conventional heretofore, the suspension point is situated in the central longitudinal plane of the lifeboat. In these circumstances it will be very difficult to board the lifeboat because it hangs some distance away from the access platform.

The object of the invention is to solve this problem. To this end, the suspension point is situated between the central longitudinal plane and that side of the lifeboat which faces the wall of the vessel.

With this step, since the centre of gravity of the lifeboat is situated further away from the wall of the vessel than the suspension point of the lifeboat, a turning moment will always occur such that the lifeboat is pushed in the direction of the wall of the vessel. Even in the event of a steeply listing vessel, the position of the lifeboat with respect to the access platform will not change, so that it is a simple matter to board the lifeboat.

The imaginary connecting line between the point of suspension and the centre of gravity may include an angle of 30 for exaple with the central longitudinal plane. This means that it is still easy to board the lifeboat even in the case of a 30 list.

According to the invention, disengageable suspension rods engaging the lifeboat may be disposed on each side thereof. The advantage of this is that when the lifeboat is not in use there is no need for any tension on the tackle and hence any torque at the winching reel, because the boat hangs from the two suspension rods. The two suspension rods form a cradle type of suspension. The suspension rods are pivotably coupled, by the end remote from the lifeboat, to a rocking lever, whose other end is connected to a securing cable. Release of the securing cable enables the rocking layer to rotate and disengages the suspension rod from the boat so that the boat then hangs from the tackle.

Preferably, the suspension rod is connected to the lifeboat by a hook and pin connection. This has the advantage that if the vessel sinks before the lifeboat has been launched the latter is automatically disengaged from the suspension rod when it lands on the surface of the water and can therefore still fulfil its function.

The lifeboat can be fixed in the position of rest on the keel side by a cable engaging by an eye at the end in a hook on the keel of the boat. The cradle guide can be connected to the other end of the cable.

A mechanism may be used which automatically disengages in the event of the vessel sinking.

The invention will be explained in detail with reference to the drawings illustrating one exemplified embodiment and wherein: Figure 7 is a side view of lifeboat with a launching installation according to the invention; Figure 2 is an end elevation of the installation shown in Figure 1, and Figure 3 is a similar end elevation to Figure 2 in the case of a listing vessel.

In the position of rest, the lifeboat 1 is suspended at each end by means of a suspension rod 2, 3 respectively each engaging a pin 4,5 respectively at the stern and bow of the lifeboat. The bow and stern of the lifeboat are also cnnected by a hook to the lifeboat at suspension points 8 and 9 respectively by means of tackle 6 and 7 respectively. The tackle extends over a pair of blocks 10,11 respectively to a winch 12 for hauling in or paying out the rope. In the present example, the two sets of tackle are operated by one winch. Arms 13 and 14 are provided on the deck and each has a post 15, of which one 15 is visible. The launching installation is fixed to the assembly of arms and posts.The installation also includes a cradle 16 guided by rollers 17 in apassage 18 and serving to guide the lifeboat along the wall of the vessel during its movement. The cradle has a vertically extending arm 19, one end 20 of which is connected to the free part of the tackle. Although only one of the two cradles has been referred to hereinbefore, the other cradle is constructed in a similar manner so that there is no need to describe it in detail.

According to the invention, the boat suspension points 8,9 respectively are situated between the imaginary longitudinal central plane 21 and that side of the lifeboat which faces the wall of the vessle.

Consequently, a moment of rotation will always be exerted on the lifeboat, as a result of the position of the centre of gravity 22 with respect to the suspension points 8, 9 respectively, in such a manner that the lifeboat will not swing away from the wall of the vessel in the event of listing, as shown in Figure 3, but will on the contrary move towards the said wall.

The upward movement exerted on the cradle is blocked body the free part of the tackle 20. The value of the angle a between the central longitudinal plane and the connecting line between the suspension points and the centre of gravity may, for example, be 30". In the present installation, it will still be possible to enter the lifeboat from the access platform 23 even in the event of a steep list.

The installation is used as follows: In the position of rest, the lifeboat is suspended in the suspension rods 2 and 3 respectively. Winch 12 is not actuated and there is no need for any tension on the tackle. At the bottom, the boat is connected to the guide 18 via cables 24 and 25 and a hook and eye connection 26, 27. To leave the vessel, the boat is entered from the access platform 23. The cables 28 and 29 are then released by means of the release mechanism 30,31 respectively, so that the rocking lever, e.g. 32, pivotable about point 33, rocks and the suspension rods 2,3 disengage the pins 4, 5 respectively. The lifeboat is now suspended from the tackle 6, 7 respectively. Actuation of the winch 12 causes the tackle to be paid out so that the lifeboat is also released from the cables 24 and 25. The boat is now suspended from the two sets of tackle.In the event of listing in the direction shown in Figure 3, the lifeboat is guided by the cradle 16 during the paying out of the tackle, cradle 16 running by rollers in guide 18 and is lowered to the surface of the water suspended from the sets of tackle. In the event of listing to the other side, the boat is guided along the wall ofthevessel during its motion bythecradle 16 moving along the wall by means ofthe rollers 17.

When it lands on the surface of the water the boat disengages from the sets of tackle and then floats freely.

As stated hereinbefore, the great advantage of the construction according to the invention is that the boat can always be entered even in the event of a list in the direction shown in Figure 3. If the sets of tackle are suspended in the central longitudinal plane, for example, as was customary heretofore, the boat would experience a turning moment in the situation shown in Figure 3 such that the boat would rock away from the access platform and entry to the boat would thus be made very difficult or even impossible, depending upon the amount of the list.

The winch 12 can be actuated from the lifeboat by means of the actuating cord 34.

It will be apparent that the invention enables the lifeboat to be usable at any time irrespective of the amount of list and irrespective of its direction.

Claims

1. Avessel having at least one installation for launching a lifeboat, comprising one or more sets of tackle, connected to means for hauling in or paying out said tackle, the free end of said tackle being releasably connected to the lifeboat at a suspension point, and a cradle which is provided with rollers and which guides the lifeboat in its movement along the wall of the vessel when the lifeboat is launched, said cradle being connected by a projecting end to the free part of the tackle, characterized in that the suspension point is situated between the central longitudinal plano!and that side of the lifeboat which faces the wall of the vessel.

2. Avessel according to claim 1, characterized in that the imaginary connecting line between the point of suspension and the centre of gravity includes an angle of 300 with the central longitudinal plane.

3. A vessel according to claim 1 and 2, characterized by disengagable suspension rods engaging the lifeboat at each side thereof.

4. Avessel according to claim 3, characterized in that the suspension rods are pivotably coupled, by the end remote from the lifeboat, to a rocking lever, whose other end is connected to a securing cable.

5. A vessel according to claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the suspension rod is connected to the lifeboat by a hook and pin connection.

6. A vessel according to claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the lifeboat is disengageably connected, at the keel, to the cradle guide.

7. A vessel according to claim 6, characterized in that said coupling is a cable which engages by an eye in a hook on the keel and the other end of which is connected by an automatic disengaging mechanism to the cradle guide.

8. A vessel substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.