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Sep 05, 2023
The emergency lifeboat is one of the most important lifesaving equipment on board a ship, used during extreme emergencies when abandoning the ship. An emergency lifeboat is a relatively small rigid vessel, fixed on the ship's davit, so that it can be launched over the ship's side with minimal time and mechanical assistance, allowing the crew to escape the ship as soon as possible.
The emergency lifeboat must carry all types of equipment described in the SOLAS and LSA specifications, which are passed for sea survival. This includes provisions, fresh water, first aid, compass, distress signals, among other equipment. A ship must carry a rescue boat for rescue purposes in addition to other emergency lifeboats. If there are two or more emergency lifeboats on board, one of these lifeboats can be designated as a rescue boat.
Open Emergency Lifeboats
As the name suggests, open emergency lifeboats do not have a cover and are generally powered by human effort. A compression-ignition engine can also be provided for propulsion purposes. However, due to stringent safety regulations, open emergency lifeboats are now outdated, but one might still find them on some older vessels. Open lifeboats are not very helpful in rainy or harsh weather conditions.
Enclosed Emergency Lifeboats
Enclosed emergency lifeboats are the most commonly used emergency lifeboats on ships because they are enclosed, protecting the crew from seawater, strong winds, and harsh weather. Additionally, these lifeboats have higher watertight integrity. Enclosed emergency lifeboats are further divided into: partially enclosed emergency lifeboats and fully enclosed emergency lifeboats.
Free-fall Emergency Lifeboats
Free-fall emergency lifeboats are similar to enclosed lifeboats but have a completely different launch process. They are aerodynamically shaped so that when launched from the ship, the boat can penetrate the water without damaging the hull. Free-fall emergency lifeboats are located at the stern of the ship to provide maximum clearance for free-fall.
