Lifeboat Davit
medium
3 models total
Davits for launching and recovering lifeboats per SOLAS.
2 manufacturers · 3 models
MacGregor
2
MG Gravity Davit GD-25
25 person lifeboat
· Crew Accommodation
· gravity davit
Type
gravity
Compliance
SOLAS_III
Capacity (persons)
25
Common Failures & Inspection Points
- Wire rope corrosion
- Brake mechanism seizure
- Limit switch failure
Service: Lower lifeboat for drill monthly; inspect wire and brake.
Spare Parts: Ersatzteile über MacGregor oder zugelassene Vertriebspartner. Lead time: 2-6 Wochen.
Strengths
- No hydraulic or electric power required – fully self‑contained operation
- Simple mechanical design reduces maintenance and spare‑part inventory
- Rapid, repeatable launch sequence suitable for monthly drills
- Robust construction meeting SOLAS Chapter III requirements
- Compact footprint compared with larger hydraulic davits
Weaknesses
- Limited to lifeboats within the 25‑person weight envelope; cannot accommodate larger boats
- Manual handling of wire rope and brake may be physically demanding for crew
- Requires regular inspection of wire rope and brake mechanism to prevent corrosion or seizure
- Space allocation on deck can be restrictive on vessels with tight superstructure layouts
Typical Vessels:
Passenger FerryCruise ShipOffshore Supply VesselRo‑Ro VesselSmall Container Ship (passenger‑carrying)
Certifications:
SOLAS Chapter IIIUSCG Type Approval
Decision Guide: Choose if: you need a reliable, low‑maintenance davit for a 25‑person lifeboat on vessels with limited power availability and space constraints. Avoid if: the vessel requires larger capacity lifeboats, faster hydraulic launch, or has severe exposure to corrosive marine environments without a robust corrosion‑control program.
Use Cases: The GD-25 is typically installed on passenger‑focused ships where rapid, dependable evacuation of up to 25 persons per boat is required. It is favoured on ferries and cruise vessels that perform monthly lifeboat drills and prefer gravity‑based systems to avoid dependence on hydraulic or electric power sources.
MG Free-Fall Davit FFD-40
40 person lifeboat
· Crew Accommodation
· Free‑fall lifeboat davit
Type
free_fall
Compliance
SOLAS_III
Capacity (persons)
40
Common Failures & Inspection Points
- Release hook mechanism sticking
- Davit arm corrosion
- Hydraulic recovery winch failure
Service: Test release hook mechanism quarterly; maintain recovery winch.
Spare Parts: Ersatzteile über MacGregor oder zugelassene Vertriebspartner. Lead time: 2-6 Wochen.
Strengths
- Very fast launch – boat drops in seconds, reducing exposure time to fire or flooding
- Requires minimal crew to operate; manual release and simple hydraulic recovery
- Compact footprint compared with conventional davits, freeing deck space for cargo or passenger amenities
- Proven SOLAS‑III compliance and widespread class society approvals
- Low routine maintenance when corrosion control program is followed
Weaknesses
- Requires a clear vertical launch path; any obstructions on deck limit installation options
- Higher initial structural load on the ship’s hull compared with roller‑type davits
- Recovery winch is hydraulic and can be a single point of failure if not inspected regularly
- Not suitable for vessels with very low freeboard where free‑fall distance would be insufficient
- Corrosion of the davit arm has been reported if protective coatings are neglected
Typical Vessels:
Ro‑Pax ferryPassenger ferryCruise ship (small to medium size)Offshore supply vesselHigh‑speed container or cargo vessel with high freeboard
Certifications:
SOLAS Chapter IIIUSCG Type ApprovalDNV Class approval
Decision Guide: Choose if: rapid, crew‑independent evacuation is required; deck space is limited; vessel has sufficient vertical clearance and a high freeboard. Avoid if: launch area cannot be kept clear of equipment or structures; the ship operates in extreme sea states where a free‑fall drop could endanger occupants; or maintenance resources for hydraulic winch are unavailable.
Use Cases: The FFD‑40 is typically installed on passenger ferries and small cruise vessels to provide a quick, reliable means of evacuating up to 40 people from upper decks during fire, collision or flooding events. It is also used on offshore supply ships where rapid crew rescue is critical and deck space is at a premium.
Davit International
1
DI Gravity Davit GD-30
30 person lifeboat
· Crew Accommodation
· gravity davit
Type
gravity
Compliance
SOLAS_III
Capacity (persons)
30
Common Failures & Inspection Points
- Brake disc wear
- Wire rope birdcaging
- Foundation bolt loosening
Service: NDT foundation at dry-dock; proof-test brake annually.
Spare Parts: Ersatzteile über Davit International oder zugelassene Vertriebspartner. Lead time: 2-6 Wochen.
Strengths
- Gravity operation eliminates reliance on hydraulic/electric systems, reducing failure points.
- High passenger capacity (30 persons) suitable for medium‑to‑large vessels.
- Meets SOLAS‑III requirements for lifeboat launching equipment.
- Simple mechanical design allows relatively easy inspection and maintenance.
- Quick manual release enables rapid deployment during emergencies.
Weaknesses
- Limited swing radius compared with hydraulic davits; may restrict launch area on crowded decks.
- Known wear issues with brake discs require regular proof‑testing and replacement.
- Wire‑rope birdcaging can be prone to corrosion or misalignment if not inspected frequently.
- Foundation bolts have a history of loosening, demanding thorough NDT checks at dry‑dock.
- Manual handling forces may be higher for crew during launch compared with powered davits.
Typical Vessels:
Passenger FerryCruise ShipOffshore Supply VesselRo‑Ro Passenger Vessel
Decision Guide: Choose if: you need a robust, low‑maintenance davit for a 30‑person lifeboat on vessels with sufficient deck strength and space; you prefer a power‑free system that complies with SOLAS‑III. Avoid if: the vessel requires long reach or limited deck area, or if crew training on manual launch forces is constrained.
Use Cases: The GD-30 is typically installed on passenger‑oriented vessels where rapid, reliable lifeboat deployment for up to 30 occupants is required. It is used during emergency evacuations and regular lifeboat drills, especially on ships that favor mechanical simplicity over powered davit systems.