Lifeboat
Characteristics of Lifeboats
Boats are watercrafts that are designed to float and move through water. In naval terms, a boat is a vessel that can be carried by a larger ship.
Boats are built for certain purposes. Some of these boats are designed to save lives in case a ship is sunk. These are called lifeboats. Lifeboats can also refer to small, shore based vessels that are used to reach ships or individuals in trouble.
Since the sinking of the RMS Titanic, the lifeboat has become a required piece of equipment when a ship travels out to sea. In fact, it is mandated by marine law that a ship must carry enough lifeboats for its passengers. It is the US Coast Guard who is responsible for enforcing this law and to make sure the lifeboats that the ships carry are seaworthy. They also require ships to have lifeboat drills as part of a cruise.
Lifeboats are usually attached to davits from a ship's deck. In case of emergency, they can be lowered down quickly. It is a relief to know that these small vessels cannot be sunk, thanks to their buoyancy.
Modern lifeboats are required by the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea or SOLAS and the International Life-Saving Appliance Code or (LSA). These crafts should carry an Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacon which shows their exact location to emergency stations. Also, they are required to carry either a radar deflector or a search-and-rescue radar transponder. Lifeboats with engines also have extra cans of fuel and an electric heater for engine oil. Some lifeboats carry a reverse osmosis desalinator to convert sea water to drinkable fresh water.
Lifeboat equipment also includes simple but essential life saving items such as collapsible storm shelters and sunshades. These materials can also be used to gather rainwater. Additionally, they are colored in a way that could easily be seen from the air.
Modern lifeboats also carry survival equipment such as a few days worth of food and water, oars, heaters, basic navigational equipment, first aid kit and sometimes, even an engine. They also carry signaling equipment such as beacon lights, mirrors and flares.
Another class of lifeboats is life rafts. Life rafts are inflatable. Since they are light and can be placed in compact storage spaces, ships can carry a lot of life rafts with them.
Life rafts are the lifeboats of choice for the world's navies. Main line Navy life rafts can accommodate 25 to 50 people. Smaller ones can accommodate six to 15 people. These life rafts are made out of very tough neoprene coated fabric or polyurethane fabric. The separate compartments which make up these life rafts offer redundancy against puncture.
Given the life-saving capability of this small craft, lifeboats should always be present in a ship.
Pontoon Boats
Pontoon Boats
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