Free Fall Lifeboat Launch Video

[J S]

Not rib related but this is how lifeboats are launched off the back of ships.

Being Dropped from a height of 20M

12 meters in length, weighing in at 10 tonnes fully loaded, Similar to an RNLI Mersey class lifeboat.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUN1MTpayvQ

[YOUTUBE]RUN1MTpayvQ[/YOUTUBE]

[Anchorhandler]

Yes, had the 'pleasure' of doing this several times... Just gotta make sure you eat nothing during the few hours before testing. The ride is not as bad as you may think, your head is strapped back and usually it's only the coxwain that can see the drop before him...all good fun.
If you want to see something even more impressive then search for 'shatt Harding oil rig test'
the same system is installed on rigs but in that case the drop can be up to 40 meters!!

Simon

[C-NUMB]

This is one of the thing don't miss, still remember the sounds of the rolls, then silence and finally a pretty harsh bang....At the time(if remembering correctly) only a pretty simple belt system, no straps for the head and also heard about some neck related injury's on other ships. Designs are for sure better now? But even at that time a significant improvement compared to the traditional open "lifeboat".

A 40m drop must feel insane...

[Anchorhandler]

A 40m drop must feel insane... [/quote]

I'l bet....dont fancy that too much but then again, if the flames are starting to warm up your backside then count me in!

here's a test drop from a semi-sub....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=exE9jjlTjvk

Simon

[J S]

That particular drop wasn't too bad, just a sturdy thump as you hit the water. The seats in that particular boat are facing aft so you are almost lying on your back as you hit the water.

Have to agree though a 40M drop wouldn't be as nice.

James

[Anchorhandler]

Hi James....
Ironically, we went to the aid of some of the crew of the 'British Cormorant' (although there is little 'British' about it!) last month who managed to throw themselves out of the fast rescue craft during launching...
Although the official (MAIB) report is still outstanding, it would seem that the coxswain went full power while the painter on the bow was still attached resulting in the FRC overturning.
They were very lucky as at the time, the Cormorant was anchorered in the deep water anchorage 4mls south of the IOW and after only 10minutes from the time of the Mayday going out, our local Coastguard helicopter had traveled the 25 miles and was on location picking them out of the water......thats impressive!
The 6 crew members had already drifted some 400meters away from the ship.
A big thanks for the service provided by the Lee-on-Solent Coastguard helicopter crews....its much appreciated

Simon

[Poly]

I've always wondered how it gets back into its launching cradle after testing?

[J S]

Originally Posted by Anchorhandler

Hi James....
Ironically, we went to the aid of some of the crew of the 'British Cormorant'

Yes we have an Indian part of the fleet, I will be interested to see the MAIB report on this item, and im sure our internal investigators are hard at work trying to find out what happened. Yes they are lucky the Lee on Solent guys were so efficient in picking them up.

Originally Posted by Polwart

I've always wondered how it gets back into its launching cradle after testing?

Unfortunately this is the best pic I have, but if you look at the one attached you will see that from the launching platform a davit can be swung out and lowered down, it is then simply attached to a strop on the boat winched back into position and the launching hook re primed.

James

[willk]

Originally Posted by Polwart

I've always wondered how it gets back into its launching cradle after testing?

The cradle is also a crane.

hth

[Bigmuz7]

check this one out

[YOUTUBE]kjtIIbucI_o&NR[/YOUTUBE]

[Stoo]

Originally Posted by Bigmuz7

check this one out

That's awesome... Surprised Disney hasn't come up with a ride like that...

Any idea where this is? It looks like gorgeous country...

[Anchorhandler]

Hi Stoo
It is filmed at Schat Hardings headquarters in Rosendal, Norway. This was the clip i was originally looking for at the start of this thread, well done to Bigwuz for finding it.
And yes, it is a beutiful country, im lucky to have spent quite some time sailing up and down the coast through the fjords and would highly recomend it....
From what i remember though (i was young the last time i went there) your country isnt too shabby either?

Simon

[Zubenelgenubi]

Originally Posted by Polwart

I've always wondered how it gets back into its launching cradle after testing?

As per the pic in post 8, the boat is hooked on (not easy to manoeuvre astern & hold position in a swell & hook on), winched up to the davit head, the davit is then swung inboard,the restow is then similar mechanically to putting a garbage skip on to the back of a truck. The boat is then hooked on to its release hook & the recovery pendant is slackened & is (should) be removed leaving the boat ready in free fall launch mode.

[Bigmuz7]

Originally Posted by Anchorhandler

your country isnt too shabby either?

He's not wrong there .. especially the Scotia bit

[Stoo]

Originally Posted by Anchorhandler

From what i remember though (i was young the last time i went there) your country isnt too shabby either?

Yes, we have a lot of very pretty areas. I'm a sucker for anyplace where mountains meet the ocean. I am heading out to Whistler, BC in a couple of weeks to visit my son who lives there (with The Warden and my youngest). The drive up to Whistler from Vancouver is beautiful. But then so is the trip along the west cost of Newfoundland. And the east cost too. And around Cape Breton....

And then there's Tobermory.., No mountains but some pretty nice cliffs!

[Anchorhandler]

It's a shame there is no way of instigating a rib holiday exchange program...