Abstract: Apparatus to raise a small boat and outboard motor from a position in the water to a stored position against the mother vessel with the outboard motor substantially vertical while in the storage position. The apparatus has a hinge mount that can be received on the small boat. There is a unitary mount for the outboard motor hinged to the hinge mount. A releasable lock attaches the unitary mount on the small boat to prevent hinging of the mount. There is a connector on the unitary mount remote from the hinge. A lift on the mother vessel is able to attach the connector on the unitary mount. There are abutments on the mother vessel and corresponding abutments on the small boat. These two abutments are able to engage each other to form a hinge about which the small boat can be pivoted during lifting by the lift.

Abstract: A lifesaving device is formed of a plurality of gas charge devices, a plurality of cylindrical bodies each of which has one end connected to one of said gas charge devices corresponding thereto and the other end which is closed, each of said cylindrical body having an outer configuration of generally flat plate in deflated condition, and a cylindrical body holding member for holding said cylindrical bodies in the deflated condition to be folded therein or wound-up thereon, wherein said cylindrical bodies are inflated and deployed simultaneously in response to operation of the respective gas charge devices to the extent that a predetermined buoyancy force is obtained.

Abstract: A system for launching and retrieving boats from an offshore work platform, the system comprising a deployment arm adapted to be rotatably secured at one end thereof to superstructure of the platform for rotation between a first pre-launch position and a second post-launch position, means for controlling rotation of the arm between the first and second positions, and boat support means mounted adjacent an outer end of the arm, the support means comprising a spaced pair of support members each having thereon an open claw structure for receiving a support pin associated with a respective side of a boat.

Abstract: The on board dinghy cradle comprises a framework of hollow tubings which are secured together by fittings and connectors. The framework produced includes bottom cross members which extend across the width of the dinghy at a predetermined distance below the bottom surface thereof. Side tubings are also provided for positioning one side of the dinghy close to a supporting surface for the cradle, such as a swim platform, and to keep the dinghy from moving away as it is being boarded or left. The cradle is pivotably mounted to the supporting structure so it can be pivoted to a vertical storage position, having the dinghy, with or without a small motor attached thereto, up and out of the water.

Abstract: A boat having a rear transom and a horizontally enlarged platform fixed to the rear transom and projecting rearwardly from an outer rear surface thereof. A dinghy support arrangement is mounted on the platform for supporting an inflatable dinghy adjacent the transom in generally raised relationship above the water. The dinghy support arrangement includes a horizontally and sidewardly spaced pair of enlarged rings for supportingly engaging tapered rear end portions of the inflatable dinghy. Each ring has an opening therethrough for permitting insertion of one of the tapered rear end portions partially therethrough. The pair of rings are fixedly but releasably attached to the swim platform.

Abstract: A bracket is provided for securing an inflatable dinghy having opposing pontoon portions to a yacht. The bracket comprises a member adatped to fit over one of the pontoon portions, and having at one end thereof an element for removably securing the member to the yacht, and also comprises a mounting assembly for mounting the member to the dinghy such that the member is directly or indirectly held by and between the under parts of the inner sides of the opposing pontoon portions.

Abstract: A small boat or dinghy rigging mechanism is provided advantageously designed to permit the expeditious recovery, hoisting and stowing of a small boat or dinghy in an upright position at the stern of a main vessel. The apparatus of the invention is devised to be readily detached from the main vessel and stowed so that any unsightly presence of the equipment when it is not being used is obviated. The rigger equipment may be detachably affixed for use directly on the transom of a vessel or adapted to be detachably secured at the trailing edge of a platform such as swim platform that is behind the transom. Because the mechanism is devised to dip into the water allowing the small boat or dinghy to be floated into position on the arms of the rigging apparatus, it substantially facilitates the recovery of such craft and obviates any heavy lifting or exertion of the kind frequently encountered by a user in operations of this kind.

Abstract: A rescue lift is provided wherein a frame supporting a rescue net is pivotally attached to a work boat by means of a rotating drive shaft positioned on the boat. A float is provided on the end of the frame opposite the drive shaft to enable the bottom of the net to be submerged in the sea at all times. The frame is free to rotate about its pivotal attachment as the ship rolls and pitches, thereby providing a safe means to rescue an incapacitated person in rough sea conditions. The drive shaft rotates the rescue lift between a pick-up position in the sea and a discharge position extending upwardly above the work boat. The rescue lift can be positioned in a stowed position in order to fully utilize the deck space of the ship.

Abstract: A davit for an inflatable dinghy or other small inflatable boat including a pair of lock devices secured to the stern of the carrier boat for engaging and supporting hanger assembly mounted on the inflatable dinghy and enabling the dinghy, to be swung bewtween in-water and out-of-water positions, and a pair of stand-off brackets attached to the stern of the carrier boat that support the inflatable dinghy in its raised out-of water position. Each hanger assembly has an outboard catch supported by a resilient, flexible pad which in turn is adhesively secured to the dinghy sidewall and is designed to transfer the load of the inflatable dinghy without damaging the flexible dinghy sidewall or causing the support pad to separate therefrom.

Abstract: A liferaft deployment apparatus comprising a frame, a platform, and a liferaft container receptacle. The platform is positioned within the frame and is movable between a liferaft retention position and a liferaft deployment position. The liferaft receptacle receives containers of liferafts. The frame includes a first guide member and a second guide member which extend for the length of travel of the platform. The first guide member and the second guide member are parallel to each other. The frame further includes a stop at the ends of the travel of the platform. The platform includes a first angle member, a second angle member, and a plate extending between the angle members. The platform is mounted on a plurality of rollers. Lock members are included within the frame and the platform so as to fixedly maintain the platform in either the liferaft retention position or the liferaft deployment position.

Abstract: A free fall, submersible life saving device for an offshore structure has a spherical pressure shell in a casing. The upper part of the device has a lifting frame and at least one manhole closed with a cover and the lower part has ballast, an anchor, and a windlass 5 for the anchor rope having automatic control of the tension in the anchor rope. The device is launched by a catapult on the offshore structure for horizontal movement in free fall to the water surface, where it submerges and is anchored until resurfacing, by release of the anchor, for rescue.

Abstract: There is provided a new and useful offshore evacuation system for drilling rigs or platforms comprising a launch structure for a survival craft; the structure comprising at least one support strut adapted to be pivotally attached at one end thereof to the platform superstructure and carrying at the other end thereof at least one support cradle for survival craft, and rotatable between an upper position and a lower position; and means for effecting rotation of said launch structure from said upper to said lower position; and a closed companionway leading from the platform accommodation unit to the loading position of the survival craft and being in sealing relationship with the survival craft.

Abstract: A system for retrieval and launching of lifeboats, buoys or the like includes a lifeboat provided at a point centrally above the hull, with a rigid, inverted V-shaped suspension member adapted to be engaged by a suspension hook the structure of which allows that it can be engaged with the lifting member or eye without assistance from the lifeboat itself. The hook is also provided with means for preventing inadvertent release thereof, including a downwardly directed nose portion. The engagement of the hook with the suspension member without assistance from the lifeboat is made possible by rolling bars which cause the hook to turn into engagement with the rigid lifting eye of the boat as the hook is lowered into contact therewith. When launching lifeboats or the like, a loosely suspended secondary hook, held by the main hook, holds the boat.

Abstract: A lifting device is provided for rapidly coupling and uncoupling a floating load, such as a boat, when it is set afloat or raised from the water. It includes essentially a hook secured to the load and a coupling element connected by cables to a lifting appliance. The concavity of the hook is turned downwards. Its section is trapezoidal and tapers towards its tip. The coupling element includes two arms whose facing walls are slanted and guide the hook towards the central housing. Springs, disposed laterally in the housing, come to bear against the lateral slanting faces of the hook and prevent it from leaving again.

Abstract: This invention relates to a boat designed as a self-hoisting unit for the vertical and horizontal transfer of persons and/or equipment from a ship to an offshore platform and vice versa. The boat carries a hollow mast forming a guide for a cable, the upper end of which will be attached to a carrier structure extending outwardly from a platform or ship. The mast is held by shrouds so as to withstand large flexural strains. For compensating sea-swell, the lower end of the cable passes over a damper unit comprising an hydraulic cylinder associated with pulleys of two opposed tackle-blocks. The cable is driven by a winch so that the boat can autonomously hoist itself to the platform deck level, or lower itself down to the sea or onto the deck of a ship. The mast height is sufficient for generating an uprighting torque ensuring horizontal stability of the boat during its ascent and descent.

Abstract: On launch of a lifecraft from a marine platform or other vessel, an electrically powered tug connected to the lifecraft by stowed cable aligns the lifecraft away from the platform and tows it away from the platform in a predetermined attitude and track. In this way, the lifecraft is controlled in the hazardous initial period between launch and start of its own powered movement. The tug is advantageously stowed and launched bows-out and has an autopilot responsive to deviation of the towline from the tug fore-and-aft line to correct the tug helm so that the tug not only follows a predetermined compass heading but follows a predetermined track relative to the lifecraft. In a preferred version of the tug a portion of the towline is stored between a pair of sheave blocks biased towards one another to bring about towline retraction so that the towline is paid out as the tug is lowered and retracts into the tug during initial movement of the lifecraft with the tug still in the water and acting as a sea anchor.

Abstract: A boat dock and lift is disclosed in which an upright frame is provided having a pair of spaced upright members and a horizontal cross member therebetween. A lift is movably mounted on the frame. The lift has a support engageable with a boat hull and a pair of generally vertical arms movably mounted on the frame uprights. A compound pulley and cable arrangement is mounted on the horizontal cross member of the frame. This pulley and cable arrangement includes a first pulley block stationary with respect to the frame, and a second pulley block movable horizontally along the cross member. A first cable is secured to the frame, is entrained around certain of the pulleys on the first and second pulley block, and is secured to one of the lift uprights. A second cable is also secured to the frame, entrained around others of the pulleys on the first and second pulley blocks, and is secured to the other lift upright.

Abstract: An offshore platform is shown in position over the seabed. An escape chamber in the form of a spar buoy is mounted on a platform and extends from the platform above the surface of the water to below the surface. A cable also extends between the buoy and an anchor located on the seabed remotely from the platform. When the buoy is released from its platform mount and cable winched from the buoy, the buoy is pulled over the anchor to float safely during adverse weather conditions.

Abstract: A device for storing and carrying an inflatable pontoon boat on a yacht features upwardly opening hooks that engage a pontoon so that the boat may rest against the stern of a yacht. The hooks are supported on a post swivably attached to a stern pulpit. The boat may be hoisted upwardly using a line attached to one pontoon and then into the hooks in which position the boat is fastened in place with line.

Abstract: A rescue system for a marine structure such as an offshore drilling rig or production platform includes an enclosed type life boat constructed to be supported on board the marine structure by being releasably suspended over free water from a single point or fulcrum. The fulcrum is located relative to the center of gravity of the life boat such that the latter, in its suspended position, adopts a predetermined slanting orientation which it maintains substantially constant throughout its free fall when released from its suspension.

Abstract: A device for releasing a life boat or the like from a hoisting cable, said device comprising a lifting members (13) attached to the boat, a hook (15) being pivotably mounted at said lifting member, said hook being openable by a releasing device. The object of the invention is to provide a releasing device for emergency situations when the normal releasing device is not functioning and which should be releasable even when the full weight of the boat loads the hooks. This has been achieved by the fact that the lifting member (13) is displaceable in its longitudinal direction and that a locking device (29) actuatable by an emergency device is arranged for blocking the lifting member from displacement.

Abstract: A life survival capsule for use on shipboard, of substantially spheroidal shape, having self-contained life suporting facilities and supplies for approximately 16 occupants, with double-hulled construction and a thermal insulating material between the hulls, restraint devices to prevent injury to occupants, multiple entrances or exits, including an entrance from the interior of the ship on which it is mounted, and automatic and manual release devices to free it from the ship to which it is attached.

Abstract: A system and method for evacuating endangered personnel from an offshore oil platform. The disclosed system includes; a self-propelled marine service vessel equipped with a large capacity revolving crane, a portable evacuation shelter located on the platform and including a single point connecting eye for attaching a recovery line thereto, and a support for the shelter attached to the platform and engaging the shelter from beneath so as to permit the shelter to be lifted vertically from the platform.