Lifeboat Davits

[Matt Pereira]

Was it common for the Olympic Class liners mainly Titanic to take the outboard emergency lifeboats that are swung out on the side and put them inboard while in port?

I just noticed in photos of Titanic in port and being lead by Tug boats and in every last one of them theres no lifeboat swung outboard.

 

[David G. Brown]

Matt-- Typically, boats were swung inboard when in port for protection. The two forward boats were "emergency cutters" for use in rescuing anyone who might tumble overboard. For that reason, they were always swung out ready for lowering when at sea.

Aft, the handling of boats was decided by the captain's preference. The regular lifeboats took up much of the second class promenade space. So, sea conditions permitting, they could be swung outboard to provide passengers with more strolling space.

-- David G. Brown

 

[Matt Pereira]

I figured that they were swung inboard for protection but i was just wondering why i was seeing pictures of titanic away from the docks and the emergency cutters were still swung inboard, Never noticed it before

 

[Deleted member 162143]

Does anybody know exactly why there was a bollard right next to the davits?

In images of the welin davits on the titanic I saw a fixed pulley right above the bollard. Was this pulley used to increase the mechanical advantage or was it just there?

Also, if titanic had enough lifeboats for everyone and there was enough time to launch them, would the crew place the coils of falls used to lower the boat into the lifeboat and lower the lifeboat from the lifeboat?

I hope you understand these questions.

 

[Deleted member 162143]

I hope I put this thread in the right location...

How did the Welin Davits exactly work. When you turned the handle, how did the davit arm move outboard/inboard? how does the pivot point/screw block located about in the middle of the davit (in the photo) stay the same height when swinging the davit out?

I hope these questions are not too confusing.

 

[Rob Lawes]

Does anybody know exactly why there was a bollard right next to the davits?

The bollard was there to secure the falls and, when lowering, allow the rope to be surged over them to lower the boat in a controlled fashion. Should the crew need to stop lowering for any reason they could quickly secure the falls again to the bollard.