Abstract: A releasable connector for connecting a shackle bolt on a liferaft to the depending end of a davit cable is set in a safe condition for boarding and lowering of the liferaft. In the safe condition, a hook member supports the shackle bolt and is itself locked in its supporting position by a latch member. A coupling spring connected between the hook member and the latch member operates to one side of its dead-center position to urge the latch member into the locking position. A first downward pull on a lanyard causes a pawl member to engage a tooth on the latch member to move the latch member from its locking position to a drive position in which the coupling spring operates to the other side of its dead-center position and urges the latch member into its drive position.