GB551343A - Improvements in or relating to the launching of life-saving rafts, lifeboats, cargo and the like from ships - Google Patents

Abstract

551,343. Launching rafts &c. FLEMING, I. R., and FLEMING, F. E. Aug. 16, 1941, No. 10436. [Class 115] Gear for launching a life-saving raft, lifeboat, cargo, or the like from the deck of a ship comprises a parbuckle device extending from the deck D and around the raft 11 to control the movement of the raft down a slipway 10 and to form a cradle for the raft as it moves over the edge of the deck, and a lowering tackle which supports the raft after it has left the slipway. The latter comprises two or more articulated triangular frames which can be raised by a tackle on the davits E from a horizontal stowage position on the deck to an inclined launching position, the outer frames having eyes 30 for releasable engagement by pivoted hooks 29 on the ends of the raft. The lowering tackle comprises slings 12 and falls 13 attached to triangular sling plates 14 on the heads of the davits, the plates 14 also carrying falls 18 for the usual lifeboat 19. The parbuckle device comprises a block and tackle 21 connected at one end 22 to the deck D and at the other end to a sliplink 23 connected to a pair of spaced-apart ropes 24. These are attached by hooks 25 to eyes 26 on the inboard lower edge of the raft, and pass through eyes 27 on the edge of the deck which prevent the passage of abutments 28 on the ropes and so automatically release the ropes from the raft when the latter moves off the slipway and attach them to the deck.