Abstract: A davit which is particularly useful in hoisting lobster traps from water onto a gunwale of a lobster boat, comprises a hoist arm; an essentially perpendicularly extending member in a substantially horizontal direction at one end of the hoist arm wherein the perpendicularly extending member is adapted to rotate on an axis essentially perpendicular to the hoist arm whereby rotation of the perpendicularly extending member causes the hoist arm to pivot; and a power means remote but in communication with the hoist arm by means of the perpendicularly extending member. Upon actuation, the power means is adapted to cause the perpendicularly extending member to rotate and the hoist arm to pivot. The end of the hoist arm opposing the perpendicularlly extending member is adapted to receive a hoist line. In a lobster trap hauling operation, the pivoting of the davit may assist in hauling a lobster trap onto the gunwale of the lobster fishing boat.