So about a year ago we had a man go overboard. He was recovered and is ok but this event led to my company replacing our outdated rescue boat. The new one is top of the line but my stupid port engineers installed the boat facing aft. Obviously it’s common since for any mariner you can’t launch a boat backwards. The only cfr’s I can find state it must be capable to be launched at 5 knots. I would like to force the company to change it but can’t find anything. Anyone know of anything that can help?
Will the boat be able to spin once it is out of the cradle, with the sea painter leading forward?
Honestly I don’t know, we are still in the shipyard and haven’t been able to test it out. But it’s supposed to be a FAST rescue boat. If you have to take the time to turn the boat around to properly launch it, that’s wasted time that could be used to save a life.
I would check with your Class Society, but I find it hard to believe any Class Surveyor would have approved an aft facing installation unless it couldn’t be done any other way. I know it is also a DNV requirement for the 5 knot launch, but you’d have to do some class rules research about installation. Without seeing how yours is installed I can’t speak to the practicality of that, but I have yet to see a fixed davit installation where it would be prudent or safe to try and spin it 180 during launch. Especially if the painter is properly secured ready for launch. Even if it can be accomplished, as you obviously know from experience time is important when you actually need the FRC. I would say proving whether the underway launch can or can’t be done for the Port Engineer should suffice for a reasonable person, but since this person installed it backwards to begin with…best of luck!
If you need to have something in writing, I am sure the SOLAS regulations will say something.
But, seriously, if you can not convince the Port Engineer that the bow of the FRC should be pointing to the bow of the vessel for a safe launch i would go to a different company.
If worst comes to worst maybe you can ask them to demonstrate how to safely launch and recover with bow to the stern while doing 5 knots…maybe we can all learn something
good luck!
[QUOTE=Still;137433]So about a year ago we had a man go overboard. He was recovered and is ok but this event led to my company replacing our outdated rescue boat. The new one is top of the line but my stupid port engineers installed the boat facing aft. Obviously it’s common since for any mariner you can’t launch a boat backwards. The only cfr’s I can find state it must be capable to be launched at 5 knots. I would like to force the company to change it but can’t find anything. Anyone know of anything that can help?[/QUOTE]
How is it possible to install a MOB Boat davit backwards?
I assume that it has a davit if it’s top of the line?
I assumed the cradle was put in backwards.
[QUOTE=LI_Domer;137462]I assumed the cradle was put in backwards.[/QUOTE]
On a modern davit it should not be possible.
The “davit” looks more likes crane than typical free fall davit. So the davit itself is installed correctly, but the boat is facing aft. And the boat WILL fit facing forward, my jackass port engineer just doesn’t want to cut the cradle down, fabricate a new support system, and weld it all back on. The reason?? The current support system is on a fuel tank, which he can’t do hot work on unless he pays to pump out the fuel and de-gas it. I swear, this company is pathetic
[QUOTE=Still;137476]The “davit” looks more likes crane than typical free fall davit. So the davit itself is installed correctly, but the boat is facing aft. And the boat WILL fit facing forward, my jackass port engineer just doesn’t want to cut the cradle down, fabricate a new support system, and weld it all back on. The reason?? The current support system is on a fuel tank, which he can’t do hot work on unless he pays to pump out the fuel and de-gas it. I swear, this company is pathetic[/QUOTE]
Sound strange, sort of defeats the purpose of replacing the Mob boat.
http://www.eftasurv.int/?1=1&showLinkID=5812&1=1
Section 12
Embarkation and launching appliances for rescue boats
(1) Embarkation and launching appliances for rescue boats shall be such that the boat can be boarded and launched in as little time as possible. The maximum time to complete this operation shall not exceed 5 minutes.
(2) It must be possible for the number of persons who are designated to be crew in the rescue boat to board and launch the rescue boat directly from its stowed position.
(3) The launching appliance shall meet the requirements in annex 1. It must be possible to launch the rescue boats while the ship is moving forward at a speed of at least 5 knots.
(4) It must be possible to recover a rescue boat in no more than five minutes when it is fully loaded with persons and equipment.
(5) It must be possible to observe the launching and recovery from the bridge.
http://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/46/133.140
§ 133.140 Stowage of rescue boats.
(a) Rescue boats must be stowed as follows:
(1) Each rescue boat must be ready for launching in not more than 5 minutes.
(2) Each rescue boat must be in a position suitable for launching and recovery.
(3) Each rescue boat must be stowed in a way that neither the rescue boat nor its stowage arrangements will interfere with the operation of any survival craft at any other launching station.
(b) Each rescue boat must be provided a means for recharging the rescue boat batteries from the OSV’s power supply at a supply voltage not exceeding 50 volts.
© Each inflated rescue boat must be kept fully inflated at all times.
I am sorry but this is the best i could find.
[U]Each rescue boat must be ready for launching in not more than 5 minutes.[/U]
So it’s a luffing type davit and what needs to be done is reverse the cradle. Well, has the Coast Guard seen it yet? They could issue an 835 inspection form over something like that. No-sail item. Then he’ll have to fix it.
[QUOTE=catherder;137493]So it’s a luffing type davit and what needs to be done is reverse the cradle. Well, has the Coast Guard seen it yet? They could issue an 835 inspection form over something like that. No-sail item. Then he’ll have to fix it.[/QUOTE]
Call the USCG. Rescue boat mounted backwards should be a NO SAIL item, No 835s for lifesaving equipment. Let that port engineer try to explain to the company why he failed to fix an obvious defect in the lifesaving equipment which caused the vessel to be detained in port.
I doubt the USCG will care as it won’t slow launching down. Just spin the boat as you swing it over the side, no big deal. Almost all the FRCs at my company are mounted athwartships and it doesn’t hinder launching at all.
Big deal, plenty of SOLAS vessels I am familiar with have the boat athwart ships as well. Can’t imagine it being a no-sail issue. For all I know it could be stored upside down as long as its checked and can be launched in the alloted time.
Is it an FRC or a rescue boat?
How could the sea painter be rigged correctly with the rescue boat in the cradle backwards?
The boat and davit is designed for self launching, how are the boat crew going to spin it around by themselves?
The USCG should not allow that.
This is the result if people who do not know what they’re doing try to launch a mob boat.
(The headline is wrong no one was killed)
Thats way on a modern ship the Mob boat is stored in a davit facing forward with the sea painter attached.
Like this: 
Well they could ways lead the sea painter aft and back her down at 5 knots when it’s time to launch.
[QUOTE=Flyer69;137577]Well they could ways lead the sea painter aft and back her down at 5 knots when it’s time to launch.[/QUOTE]
It’s a bit tricky doing the williamson turn going reverse 
Not with z drives haha
Williams turn … Williams turn to do what? When’s MY turn??