Figure 6-1.--Slewing arm davit (SLAD).
Standard Release Gear
coxswain must make sure that all of the boat equipment
is on hand. Everything must be rigged properly, and the
On boat davits, the standard release gear used on the
fenders must be in place. The boat engineer checks the
SLAD is the automatic release hook (fig.6-2).
fuel and oil levels and tests the engine.
Lowering Boats in Davits
When the PO in charge of the lowering detail is
satisfied that all is correct and the bridge gives
The boat coxswain is responsible for making the
permission to lower the boat, the operation can begin.
boat ready and getting the crew into the boat. The
All personnel in the boat should wear an inherently
buoyant life jacket and hard hat. In addition, they
should keep a monkey line or life line in hand for safety
during lowering and hoisting operations.
During lowering, the monkey lines should hang
over and inboard, between the ship and the boat. This
will prevent the lines from being fouled around an
object or structure of the boat and will keep them clear
of the boat once it is in the water.
When the boat is just clear of the water--that is, out
enough that it is not slapped around by a wave--the
lowering should be stopped and the engine started. This
will give the boat maneuverability once it is waterborne.
With the engine in operation, the boat can be lowered to
the water.
Once the boat is waterborne, at the order "Cast off
aft," the after fall is released. At the order "Cast off
forward," the forward fall is released. The falls are
pulled clear of the boat by the frapping lines. The boat is
Figure 6-2.--Automatic releasing safety hook.
6-2
