USCG Masters Captains License 25/50/100 Ton Upgrade

SEAMANSHIP - Maneuvering Lifeboats & Life Crafts

Seamanship - Module 1

Maneuvering Lifeboats & Life Crafts

The most important factors to consider when launching lifeboats or life rafts or picking up survivors is wind strength and direction, swell direction, and the direction of the seas and currents.  Station Keeping is being able to hold your bow into the most predominant force.    

The three basic motions of vessels at sea are pitch (fore and aft rocking motion), roll (rotation to either side), and yaw (bow swings to one side or the other, especially down a wave).  Knowing how these motions are affecting your vessel at any particular time, especially in heavy weather, is extremely important for the safety of your crew and vessel.

In heavy weather, launching a lifeboat or life raft is very difficult.  Your vessel should be maneuvered to launch the lifeboat from the lee side.  Hold the vessel’s position where she rides the best with as little rolling and pitching as possible.  Take all way off, if possible, while launching.  Prior to launching, make sure the lifeboat’s drain plug is in place.  Prior to loading passengers into the lifeboat, make sure they are all wearing PFDs.  Make sure the davits are ready and that the steadying lines are free from becoming entangled around structures on the vessel.  The engine of the lifeboat should be started just as the launched vessel reaches the water.  This will give the lifeboat maneuverability once it is free.  Many lifeboats have skates which help the lifeboat slide down the side of a ship, especially if it is listing.  Cushions or mattresses could be used as fenders to protect the lifeboat from banging while it is being lowered.  The lifeboat should never swing wildly from the davits.  If the ship is pitching, keeping the painter of the lifeboat taut can restrict the swaying.

Life rafts are stored in hard containers and are professionally packed.  To launch a life raft, first remove the raft container from its storage rack by releasing the hydrostatic release mechanism.  Leave the painter or lanyard secured to the storage rack or deck cleat.  Do not remove the banding around the container as they will break when the painter is pulled.  When the raft container is in the water, pull the painter.  The bands will break and the raft will inflate.  Leave the painter secured to the storage rack or cleat.  Strong tension on the painter will activate the CO2 system.  The raft will be boardable in about 30 seconds, if it inflates right side up.  There is always a 50% chance that the raft will inflate upside down.  In that case, it is important to know how to right the raft.

Maneuvering Lifeboats & Life Crafts
Maneuvering Lifeboats & Life Crafts
Maneuvering Lifeboats & Life Crafts
Maneuvering Lifeboats & Life Crafts

Rafts can have an automatic release and inflation system.  As the vessel sinks, the pressure about 10 feet activates the release mechanism, freeing the raft from the container.  A hydrostatic release automatically allows lifesaving devices to float off a sinking vessel.  The buoyant life raft will float to the surface.  The sinking vessel pulls the operating cord and the life raft inflates.  The sea anchor is streamed automatically when the raft inflates.  This reduces the drift of the raft.  There is a weak link or trip line that attaches the painter to the vessel.  If the ship sinks, the link will break and the raft will float free.  All rafts are equipped with a second sea anchor in the emergency equipment.  An emergency sea anchor can be made out of a boat bucket, air tank filled with water, or any other such item.  Sea anchors contain storm oil, biodegradable oil such as fish oil.  This is used to calm the seas, interrupting the breaking of waves.

All rafts are equipped with some emergency supplies.  It is important to know exactly what is included in your raft.  The two types of rafts, coastal and offshore both include different types of equipment.  An abandon ship bag should be kept up to date with needed supplies and taken with you when entering a raft. 

Maneuvering Lifeboats & Life Crafts

Inflatable life rafts must be serviced within 12 months of its initial packing and every 12 months after that (46 CFR 185.730).  A life raft must be serviced whenever the container of the raft is damaged or the straps or seal have been broken.  Life rafts must be serviced at a Coast Guard approved facility.

Life rafts should be stowed so that they can be launched in the shortest time possible and embark as many persons as possible even under unfavorable conditions (46 CFR 180.130). Life rafts that weigh more than 200 pounds or that must be lifted more than 1 foot vertically must have a mechanical, manually operated device to assist in launching.

If you are recovering an inflatable life raft at sea, pick up either of the towing bridles attached to the ends of the raft.  Drain any water inside the life raft before you haul on the towing bridle.  After bringing the life raft on board, open the deflation plugs to release the gas.  This will make the raft more manageable.

If you are recovering a lifeboat at sea, position the vessel so that the davits are on the lee side.  Place the lifeboat ahead and to the leeward of your ship.  Pass a line down and secure it to the inboard side of the forward thwart (bench seat) in the lifeboat.  Hook the forward falls first, then the aft falls.  All persons should be very careful not to allow any parts of their bodies to get between the raft and the vessel.  They should also be aware of the blocks moving and stay clear.  Excessive water should be bucketed from the lifeboat prior to hoisting.  Hoist the lifeboat, using frapping lines, fenders and boat hooks to prevent damage.  When using an electric motor winch, remember to hand crank the last 12 inches into the final stowage position.  Drain the remaining water by unscrewing the drain plug after the lifeboat is secured.  Discharge occupants at the most advantageous time keeping their safety in mind.

Maneuvering Lifeboats & Life Crafts
Maneuvering Lifeboats & Life Crafts

The Code of Federal Regulations for Small Passenger vessels that addresses the requirements for survival crafts, life boats, and life floats is 46 CFR 180.13-180.210.
Table 199.175 in the Code of Federal Regulations shows the required survival craft equipment as follows:

Maneuvering Lifeboats & Life Crafts

According to small passenger vessel regulations, equipment that must be on a life float are two paddles, life line, pennants, water light, and painter ( 46 CFR 180.175). Life floats and buoyant apparatus may be stowed by tiers, or one above the other, to a height of not more than 4 feet. Life floats and buoyant apparatus shall be marked with the vessel’s name conspicuously in 1-1 ½ “letters, and the paddles and oars must also contain the vessel’s name. Lifeboats, life floats, and rescue boats are considered primary lifesaving equipment, but not life preservers (PFDs). A good way to think of this concept is to consider that if you were on the Titanic, would you rather have been in a lifeboat or in a life preserver? On a life float or buoyant apparatus, the life line is secured around the sides an ends to bights of not longer than three feet.