Lifesaving Systems

The lifesaving system on a ship is a vital part of the ship and is an extension of
the emergency escape route. A designer should view the fitting of lifesaving
equipment in concert with the fire protection design and the emergency escape
routes.
General Design Considerations
1. Survival craft should be provided with sufficient capacity and so distributed
that all persons on board can be accommodated under adverse ship and
weather conditions.
2. Survival craft should be launchable within the shortest period of time even
if the ship machinery is not running.
3. Stowage of survival craft should be in well lit areas with ample space for
supervision.
4. Launching should not put the craft in danger of being damaged by the
propeller or overhanging hull structure.
5. A reasonable percentage of the survival craft should be released
automatically to an operative condition.
Specific Design Considerations
a) Longitudinal Location
In general, lifeboats should not be closer to the bow than the ships length
and should not be located so far aft as to be endangered by the propellers.
b) Vertical Location
The vertical location of lifeboats and liferafts should be selected with care to
avoid damage to them by boarding seas. The uppermost deck extending to
the sides of oceangoing passenger ships is generally sufficient. On cargo
ships this deck could be so close to the waterline.
c) Clearances
Minimum openings on the ships sides between decks should exist so that
lifeboats will not hang up in such openings during launching under an adverse
list. Also there should be enough clearance between the inboard side of the
lifeboat and the house side.
Marine Outfittings

Prof. Dr. Yousri Welaya

Lifeboats
They are either enclosed or of open construction and are made from either
galvanized steel, aluminum or GRP. According to the means of propulsion, they
are either oar ( 60 persons), hand crank ( 100 persons) or motor propelled (>
100 persons).
Lifeboats range in size from 3.7 m 6-person boats used on tugs and other small
vessels, to 11.3 m 150-person boats used on large seagoing passenger ships.
Substitution of inflatable life rafts for up to 25% of the required lifeboats is a way
to relieve space limitation problems. Such rafts must be capable of being lowered
to the water fully loaded by an approved launching device one of which must be
installed on each side of the vessel. The entire launching operation, boats and
rafts included, must not exceed 30 min. This normally dictates that no more than
five rafts be served by each davit..
The releasing gear for lifeboats should be of a type which will release both ends
simultaneously whether under load or not.
Today, ships are often fitted with lifeboats that are totally enclosed. This protects
those inside from the weather, but also means that the crew have a better
chance of escaping if their ship has a dangerous cargo which is leaking. Imagine
trying to escape from a tanker whose cargo is leaking on to the sea and is
ablaze. Where possible, the lifeboat is mounted on a steep ramp fitted above the
stern of the ship. This means that it can be launched even if the ship has a heavy
list and it can safely move away from a burning ship.

Marine Outfittings

Prof. Dr. Yousri Welaya

Free Fall Lifeboats

Free fall lifeboats are located at the stern of a ship. Examples of free fall lifeboats
used on merchant ships are shown below:

Marine Outfittings

Prof. Dr. Yousri Welaya

The launching of a free fall lifeboat is entirely based on gravity without the use of
any wire falls. After the release hook is opened, the boat starts to slide along the
skid, has a short free fall and enters the water. Due to its forward motion, the
boat sails immediately away from the ship and reaches a safe distance within
seconds from the moment of release.
The lifeboat is boarded through an aft door with access to the seats on either
side of the central aisle. The seats can be front facing as well as rear facing.
Typical rear facing seating arrangement is shown in Figures. Passengers are
strapped into their seats with safety belts. The average capacity of free fall
lifeboats varies between 8 and 90 people.

Marine Outfittings

Prof. Dr. Yousri Welaya

Procedures for use

Launching
The free fall lifeboat shown below is stowed in skid (1), at the stern of the ship.
This position at the ship ensures that even under a large list and trim, the
release angle is still sufficient for a safe launch. If the lifeboat is launched from
the sideboard, the release angle can become too small. From model experiments
it is known that with a too small launching angle, the lifeboat can bounce back
from the water like a floater. The lifeboat slides on rollers (2), which are
connected to the skid, the launching ramp for the lifeboat. In some designs, the
lifeboat slides on Teflon plates, which are vulnerable for wear.

Marine Outfittings

Prof. Dr. Yousri Welaya

After embarkation of the passengers, the lifeboat can be launched by opening the
release hook(s). This is controlled from inside the lifeboat. By opening a valve, a
hydraulic circuit is opened and by pumping, pressure can be build up. The
pressure is used to operate the release mechanism. Two persons are required
for this operation, one to open the valve, the other for building up the pressure.
Embarkation
Embarkation into the lifeboat is via an aft door. Passengers take their seat and
strap themselves in. Depending on the type of lifeboat, it can be necessary to
strap the head as well. Because persons are strapped in, it is not possible to let
them wear a lifejacket, unless it is an inflatable lifejacket.
The lifeboat
Most lifeboats are constructed of glass reinforced polyester or aluminum. They
have a special designed shape to minimize acceleration during the impact. The
maximum drop height is up to 35 m. Typical weight of the boat with equipment
varies between 3000 kg for a 23 persons boat up to 17000 kg for a 90 persons
boat.
Davit system
The free fall davit with an A-frame is shown in Figure. The davit system can also
be used to lower the lifeboat via the wires. Then the boat is hooked up to the falls
and lowered in a controlled manner into the water. This makes it possible to use
the lifeboat in water with ice or other objects as well as in shallow water, where
escape via a free fall is not possible.

Marine Outfittings

Prof. Dr. Yousri Welaya

Rescue Boats
Rescue boats are to be provided with separate launching arrangements capable
of both launching and recovery. The rescue boat may be included in the survival
craft capacity. At least one of the rescue boats on ro-ro passenger ships which
are certified to carry more than 250 passengers shall be a fast rescue boat. The
rescue boat shall be fitted with a rescue frame for recovery of persons from the
sea. Rescue boat embarkation and launching arrangements shall not take more
than five minutes. A rescue boat shall be capable of being recovered in not more
than five minutes when loaded with its full complement of persons and
equipment. A rescue boat with crane is shown below.

There are different types of rescue boats. The rigid type is 4-6 metres in length,
with outboard engine, covering speeds of 6-20 knots. Rigid inflatable rescue
boats, 3.8 5.2 m long, with outboard engine or water-jet, reaching speeds of up
to 35 knots are also available.
Liferafts
As well as lifeboats, ships carry other sorts of buoyant apparatus. On ferries and
other craft which are never too far from land, the seats on deck are designed to
float, and have lifelines attached. The hope is that rescuers will soon come along
if the vessel sinks.
Liferafts are also very popular. They can be stored on deck easily and quickly
inflated when needed. Unlike a lifeboat, they cannot be steered, and rely on
rescuers finding them. High-sided passenger ships have marine evacuation
systems, where chutes lead down to huge liferafts.
Marine Outfittings

Prof. Dr. Yousri Welaya

Liferafts serve several purposes:

They provide backup survival craft capacity for personnel working or

sleeping remote from lifeboats locations or where access to lifeboats is cut
off.
They serve as survival craft ready for boarding if a ship sinks suddenly
without time for orderly abandonment.
Liferafts are considered an acceptable substitute for a missing or
damaged lifeboat.

There are three types of liferafts:

1. Throw overboard liferafts
Throw overboard liferafts are designed to be used as independent units or as
part of evacuation systems. They can be stored almost anywhere on racks and
ramps, saving valuable deck space and causing minimal disruption to sea views
which is important for passenger ships. They are packed in sturdy containers with
a special sealing method that makes them especially durable, resistant to water
ingress and makes them faster and easier to service. Liferafts are equipped with
emergency packs and liferaft equipment according to SOLAS and flag
requirements. They are provided with two individual buoyancy compartments.
One compartment alone has sufficient buoyancy to carry the specified number of
passengers.

Marine Outfittings

Prof. Dr. Yousri Welaya

9
1. Shackle
2. Lifting arrangement/suspension straps (fitted on
davit-launched liferafts only)
3. Rainwater catchment and collecting unit. Rainwater
collecting bags and operational instructions inside
4. Internal grab line
5. Suspension strap
6. Patch for lifting arrangement
7. Upper buoyancy tube
8. Lower buoyancy tube
9. External grab line
10. Stabilizing pockets
11. Floor in middle
12. Floor at bottom
13. Boarding ladde

14. C02 cylinder

15. Arch tube
16. External, automatically activated light
17. Internal, automatically activated light
18. Arch tube
19. Inner canopy
20. Outer canopy
21. Retro-reflective tape
22. Viewing port
23. Double floor
24. Bilge arrangement
25. Drain
26. Double zip closure
27. Emergency pack

The above figure shows a 35 persons throw overboard liferaft for use on
commercial vessels, fishing vessels, passenger vessels and offshore
installations. The throw overboard liferaft is released from its cradle and thrown
overboard, or slides automatically when released. Once waterborne, the liferaft
inflates on a hard pull of the painter line and is then ready for boarding.
2. Davit-launched liferafts
Davit-launched liferafts are ideal supplements to slide and chute systems,
providing safe evacuation for those unable to descend chutes or slides due to
injury, disability or size. They can be launched from almost any type of vessel,
regardless of deck height or hull shape.

The davit-launched liferaft is to be connected to the davit and then inflated at

deck level, thus enabling the passengers to board the raft from deck. The liferaft
is then launched to the water.
Marine Outfittings

Prof. Dr. Yousri Welaya

10

3. Direct boarding liferafts

The direct boarding concept is the ideal rapid mass evacuation solution for
vessels with low evacuation deck heights. The rectangular shape of the high
capacity liferafts means they can be moored alongside the vessel, thus reducing
the problem of unwanted movement during evacuation. Evacuees access the
high capacity liferafts directly from the embarkation station or deck.

Total evacuation capacity is increased simply by adding more liferafts to the

vessel. They can be stored on racks in remote areas and individually remotely
released from the embarkation station. The liferaft can be pulled to the
evacuation point manually or by using a winch. High capacity rafts are available
for 51, 101 or 150 persons. The evacuation height is approximately 1.5 m.
Davits
Davits are specifically designed for safe and efficient launch and retrieval of
lifeboats. They are designed to move lifeboats from their stowed position to an
embarkation position, and subsequently to lower them to the water. Launching of
the lifeboat is performed either from inside the boat or from a remote control unit.
Recovery of the lifeboat is performed by the electric driven winch.

Marine Outfittings

Prof. Dr. Yousri Welaya

11

Davits are classified as Gravity Davits which must be capable of being swung
out without the use of manual, electric, steam or other power supplied by the
ship. They consist generally of arms rolling on track ways or arms with one or
more pivoting links. They are used whenever the weight of the lifeboat and its
equipment exceeds 227 kg. Mechanical Davits are swung out manually by
cranks, operating screws, gears or other mechanical devices.
Lifeboats are supported under davits by wire falls led through a series of sheaves
to the drums of a lifeboat winch. Winches are required whenever gravity davits
are used, and whenever the height of the deck on which lifeboats are carried
exceeds 6 m from the lightest seagoing draft. A lifting speed of 0.1 m/sec is the
norm. Powered winches are designed for operation by electric, hydraulic or
pneumatic drive. Unpowered winches may be driven by a portable power unit, if
required. All winches shall be provided with a facility for manual recovery of the
lifeboat.
As required by the SOLAS, the falls used in launching shall be turned end for end
at intervals of not more than 30 months and must be renewed at intervals of not
more than 5 years or earlier if necessary due to deterioration of the falls.
Marine Outfittings

Prof. Dr. Yousri Welaya

12

The Free-fall Davit System is a deck-to-wall mounted davit placed at the stern
of the ship, and consisting of a launch ramp, davit arm (A-frame), winch and
hydraulic unit. The launch ramp has sliding pads for smooth acceleration of the
boat. In situations where free-fall launch is impractical or unsafe, the system has
a secondary means of launching the lifeboat. Recovery of the lifeboat with the
hydraulic driven winch.

The Raft

Davit is shown in the following figure:

Marine Outfittings

Prof. Dr. Yousri Welaya

13

Alternative Evacuation Systems

Ships in which the distance, in the lightship condition, from the waterline to the
embarkation deck is 1.5 m or more shall be provided with marine evacuation
systems. The systems shall, as far as practicable, be evenly distributed on both
sides of the ship. Marine evacuation systems may consist of rigid or inflatable
evacuation slides or vertical escape chutes which together with the associated
liferafts and a platform, where applicable, constitute a complete evacuation
system.
The Chute System
The chute and platform are housed in a compact box unobtrusively stored on
deck. During an emergency, the crew release the chute and platform with a pull
of a lever. The chute and platform fall to the water, and the platform automatically
inflates. At the same time, the liferafts are launched from their racking system,
inflated and attached to the platform. Passengers enter the chute by way of the
housing and safely descend to the platform. They are then dry-transferred to the
platform. They are then dry-transferred to the liferafts with rescue boat standing
by to assist. The telescopic nature of the evacuation chute ensures a safe
descent path and compensates for ship and sea movements so that evacuation
is not obstructed. The evacuation capacity is 367 people in 30 minutes.

Marine Outfittings

Prof. Dr. Yousri Welaya

14

Evacuation Slide System

The evacuation slide is a high capacity evacuation system that can be suited to
match any ship design and capacity. The landing platform saves valuable time in
an emergency situation as evacuation can commence before the liferafts are
completely inflated. Several evacuees can descend the double slide at the same
time and access the system liferafts from the landing station. The platform can
also be disengaged from the slide and function as a supplementary rescue unit.
The 30 angle of the slide compensates for sea and ship movement, even in
heavy weather. It can evacuate 657 people within 30 minutes. The installation
height is between 6 and 15m. The single track system is a compact version of
the full sized double track system. It can evacuate approximately 250 people in
30 minutes. The installation height is between 3.5 and 7m.
Marine Outfittings

Prof. Dr. Yousri Welaya

15

Radio transmitter
The most effective piece of lifesaving equipment on a ship, however, does not
float at all: the radio transmitter. It can be used to summon help unless the
disaster happens very quickly, in which case there is little chance of the boats or
rafts getting away.
Now, there is even an automatic way of sending distress messages, the Global
Maritime Distress and Safety System. Ships carry a radio set in a container
designed to float off if the ship sinks. It then automatically sends out an alarm
signal that is picked up by navigation satellites that can monitor its position very
accurately.

Marine Outfittings

Prof. Dr. Yousri Welaya