[QUOTE=Flyer69;137584]Williams turn … Williams turn to do what? When’s MY turn??[/QUOTE]
Its one thing to stow the boat athwartship, when everything is properly set up for that, and quite another thing to stow the boat backwards — solely as a result of a brain dead screw up. If the teenagers who masquerade as USCG inspectors these days allow this, then I hope the ship is detained by port state control at the first port it visits. If I were the owner, I’d be quite embarrassed to see one of my ships steaming around with the rescue boat mounted backwards, and I’d really want to know who was responsible for that.
[QUOTE=catherder;137603]And to spin it around while it’s dangling from the davit? I sure hope you were kidding.[/QUOTE]
Why? The “davit” in question is just a special crane, not the davits pictured all over this thread. When you crane it out over the side you spin it at the same time…
I think the whole point of a “Fast” Rescue Boat is that you can launch it fast and safe. Anything that delays the launch or makes it less safe, like have to turn the boat around before you can launch, is defying the purpose.
The moments you need this FRC will probably be in less than favorable weather, at night and while you are in a rush…
The most important thing when launching a small boat while underway is that the painter (bow line) be all set up at the proper length. This is especially true when a small crane (rather than a dedicated davit system) is used to do the launching. Few crewman have significant small boat experience, and very few have any experience launching small boats underway. Never underestimate the ability of even very experienced seamen to set the painter at the wrong length (usually too long), or to get it tangled up in something. When the boat hits the water and the painter is too long. the boat turns side to and starts to flood. Most cranes will not pay out cable fast enough to let the strain come on the painter and head the boat up before it floods (this is a good reason why a dedicated davit system is better). Over the years I have seen several near misses while launching small boats underway. This is not the type of operation where one wants to take unnecessary risks with poor equipment or things that are rigged up backwards.
[QUOTE=tugsailor;137623]The most important thing when launching a small boat while underway is that the painter (bow line) be all set up at the proper length. This is especially true when a small crane (rather than a dedicated davit system) is used to do the launching. Few crewman have significant small boat experience, and very few have any experience launching small boats underway. Never underestimate the ability of even very experienced seamen to set the painter at the wrong length (usually too long), or to get it tangled up in something. When the boat hits the water and the painter is too long. the boat turns side to and starts to flood. Most cranes will not pay out cable fast enough to let the strain come on the painter and head the boat up before it floods (this is a good reason why a dedicated davit system is better). Over the years I have seen several near misses while launching small boats underway. This is not the type of operation where one wants to take unnecessary risks with poor equipment or things that are rigged up backwards.[/QUOTE]
I’ve been on the rescue boat end of that problem, underway launch, just like in the video and it ain’t fun. It was a life threatening screw up.
As mentioned, it was a painter issue. Fortunately some one had the sense to haul in the whip enough that we lived. Thank God for a strong (dedicated) rescue boat crane. Nowadays I don’t think I will participate in the boat end of that drill again. Thank you very much.
[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]
Love to see you post of few pictures of what this looks like!
