Introduction of storage methods to ensure the effective use of lifeboats

Lifeboats are an essential part of safety at sea. During sea voyages, ships may face various emergencies, such as shipwreck, fire, water leakage and so on. At this time, the lifeboat is the last guarantee for the lives of the crew and passengers, enabling them to obtain a higher chance of survival in dangerous situations.

Totally Enclosed Lifeboat

Therefore, it is particularly important to store the lifeboat correctly. First, the stowage location should be easily accessible and ensure the stability of the lifeboat in adverse weather conditions. Secondly, while choosing a storage location, attention also needs to be paid to the distance between the lifeboat and other equipment, as well as the accessibility and visibility of the lifeboat. Additionally, lifeboats undergo regular maintenance and inspections to ensure they are always in perfect condition.

If the lifeboat is not properly stored and maintained, it may not be used normally in an emergency, thus losing its intended life-saving function. Therefore, it is very important to correctly select the storage location, conduct regular maintenance and inspection, and train the crew and passengers how to use the lifeboat, which can greatly improve the degree of safety of life at sea.

Lifeboat stowage requirements

According to Regulation 17, Chapter III of the SOLAS Convention, the stowage of lifeboats shall meet the following requirements:

• The rescue boat must be ready for launching within 5 minutes and be in a state of continuous readiness for use. If it is an inflatable rescue boat, it must be fully inflated at all times.

  
  

• The rescue boat must be stowed in a position suitable for its launching and retrieval.

  
  

• The stowage of the rescue boat and its appliances shall not interfere with the operation of any other lifeboats or liferafts stowed on other landing locations.

  
  

• If the rescue boat is also used as a lifeboat, the requirements for stowage of the rescue boat shall also comply with the requirements for the stowage of survival craft.

  
  

• In addition, the embarkation, launching and recovery devices of the rescue boat also need to meet some requirements, including:

  
  

• The embarkation and launching arrangements must be capable of completing the embarkation and launching operations of the rescue boat in the shortest possible time.

  
  

• If the rescue boat is one of the ship's survival craft, its embarkation and launching arrangements must also comply with the requirements for survival craft muster, embarkation arrangements and launching stations.

  
  

• The launching appliance must comply with the requirements for a survival craft launching and recovery appliance and, in any case, must be capable of being rapidly launched into the water while the ship is traveling at a speed of 5 knots. A bow line can be utilized if desired.

  
  

• The rescue boat must be able to carry all occupants and equipment to be recovered within 5 minutes under moderate sea conditions. If the rescue boat is also used as a lifeboat, it must be possible to quickly recover the rescue boat with its full lifeboat equipment and at least 6 rated persons.

  
  

• Embarkation and recovery devices must allow safe and efficient handling of stretcher patients. If heavy rope blocks are a hazard, recovery strops for severe weather must be provided to ensure safety.

Where lifeboats are usually stowed

On Deck

This is the most common storage location. The lifeboat can be placed on the deck of the ship, so that it can be pushed to the water surface by a crane or manually in an emergency. Some larger ships can also hide lifeboats in special containers to better protect them. However, there are also some disadvantages to stowing lifeboats on deck. If the vessel is severely damaged or capsized, the lifeboat may not be available. In addition, in high winds and waves, the lifeboat may be affected and become unstable, or it may be difficult to launch by crane or manual operation.

Inside the push-in dock

The push-in dock is a device specially designed for storing lifeboats. It can store the lifeboat inside the hull and let the lifeboat into the water by opening the door on the side of the hull. The advantage of a push-in dock is that the lifeboats can be completely protected from adverse weather conditions and quickly released when required. However, push-in docks are not suitable for all types of boats due to the space they take up inside the boat.

This storage method can completely avoid the impact of adverse weather conditions on the lifeboat, and can be released quickly in an emergency. However, push-in docks require space inside the boat and are expensive to install and operate. In addition, malfunctions may occur during use, requiring maintenance and repair.

Over the hatch

Some small commercial vessels and private yachts may stow the lifeboat in an opening on the top or side of the hold. This type of storage saves space on the ship's deck, but requires proper securing devices to ensure that the lifeboat does not fall off during voyage.

Hatch storage can also effectively protect the lifeboat from the sun, rain and seawater erosion. However, there are also some issues with hatch storage. First, the lifeboat must be properly securely secured to avoid falling off during voyage. Second, hatch storage may affect the stability and balance of the boat, especially in rough wind and waves.

How to maintain the lifeboat?

Proper maintenance can ensure that the lifeboat can be used normally in an emergency and avoid damage and failure due to long-term storage. Here are a few suggestions:

Periodic inspections: The appearance, equipment and function of lifeboats need to be inspected regularly to ensure that they are in perfect condition. Inspections include lights on the lifeboat, barometers, oars, etc.

Cleaning and anti-corrosion: Lifeboats must be cleaned and anti-corrosion treated regularly. Sea water and sunlight can cause damage to lifeboats, so measures need to be taken to protect their surfaces and internal structures.

Replacement Parts: Replace parts that may wear out or fail, such as cords, respirators, lights, batteries, etc., according to the manufacturer's instructions. These parts must be installed by professionals.

Storage measures: Appropriate measures need to be taken to store lifeboats during offline periods. It must be stored in a dry and ventilated place, avoiding direct sunlight and high temperature environment. If the lifeboat has to be exposed, sun protection and waterproof coverings must be used.

Training and Drills: Crew and passengers will need to undergo training and drills to familiarize themselves with the operating procedures of the lifeboat. This will help improve the speed and correctness of their responses in emergency situations.

In conclusion, maintenance is very important both for long-term storage and daily use of lifeboats. Only by taking correct maintenance measures can the lifeboat be kept in a reliable and effective state at all times, and provide sufficient safety guarantee for the crew and passengers.

Measures to ensure the availability of lifeboats in emergency situations

Regular Maintenance and Inspections: Lifeboats must be regularly maintained and inspected to ensure that their equipment and functions are in reliable condition. Maintenance and inspection should be done by professionals.

Storage environment: The lifeboat must be stored in a dry, ventilated and safe place, avoiding direct sunlight and high temperature environment. Appropriate sun protection and waterproof measures are required to protect its surface and internal structure.

Training and Drills: Crew and passengers will need to undergo training and drills to familiarize themselves with the operating procedures of the lifeboat. This will help improve the speed and correctness of their responses in emergency situations.

Fitting and securing: It is necessary to ensure that all equipment on the lifeboat has been fitted and is ready for use and properly secured to the lifeboat. For example, equipment such as lights, barometers, oars, etc. must be secured to the lifeboat and be readily available when required.

Fire Suppression System: It is very important to have a fire suppression system in a lifeboat as fire is one of the biggest threats to a vessel. Fire suppression systems must be checked and maintained regularly to ensure they are working properly.

Escape equipment: Escape equipment must be equipped on the lifeboat, such as life rafts, life jackets and buoys. These devices must be intact and function properly when required.

Compliance with local regulations: The storage and use of all lifeboats must comply with the requirements of local laws and regulations to ensure safety and legality.

Conclusion

This article mainly discusses the importance of lifeboat storage and how to properly store a lifeboat to ensure its normal use in an emergency. The article mentions the common storage locations of lifeboats, the advantages and disadvantages of different storage methods, measures to maintain lifeboats, and methods to ensure that lifeboats can be used normally in emergency situations.

Lifeboats are the last line of defense on board a ship and are critical to the safety of crew and passengers. Therefore, the correct way of lifeboat stowage can bring extra security. On-deck, hatch storage and push-in dock are relatively common storage methods for lifeboats, but each has its advantages and disadvantages and needs to be selected according to the actual situation.

In addition, regular maintenance and inspection of lifeboats, control of storage environment, staff training and drills are all important measures to ensure the normal use of lifeboats in emergency situations. Finally, it is also very important to comply with local regulations to ensure that lifeboats are stored and used legally and efficiently.