Quality Boat Davits

Posted by editor on December 14, 2011

I am sure many of you have seen in movies how lifeboats are launched from the ship. A mechanical device lifts the lifeboat over the side of the ship and lowers it to the sea. Such device is known as a davit. The generally accepted davit definition describes a davit as a crane-like device used for supporting, raising, or lowering cargo, equipment, boats, anchors, etc. over a hatchway or side of a ship. Davits are usually made of steel and can be used singly or in pairs.

While a davit may also be used to lift equipment or other cargo off a ship, a davit made specifically to maneuver a small boat is called a boat davit. Boat davits are used to lower or raise boats over the side of a ship or from a hatchway, as in the case of lowering a small boat or a raft over the side of a bigger ship, or lowering a lifeboat to the sea. Large sailing vessels usually carry several smaller boats used for various purposes such as a launch, captain’s gig, jolly-boat, cutter, admiral’s barge, pinnace, dinghy, and whaleboat.  However, the most common utility boat found in bigger ships is the dinghy. A dinghy is lowered and raised over the side of the ship using a dinghy lift. A dinghy lift is also referred to as a davit. Hence, dinghy lifts or boat davits are important devices that ships must have.

Moreover, using heavy duty and high quality boat davits is of utmost importance to ensure the safe maneuvering of the smaller boats or rafts.  Boat davits must be well maintained to facilitate easy handling and maneuvering of the small boats. Accidents caused by malfunctioning boat davits can be avoided by using devices and equipment made by trusted and reliable manufacturers as well as diligent maintenance of these devices and equipment.