Abstract: A gas distribution assembly for providing gas to an actuator for opening an aircraft door and to an aircraft evacuation slide, the assembly comprising a single common gas supply and valve means for controlling distribution of gas from the common supply between the slide and the door actuator based on door opening position.

Abstract: A mobile crane for intended use in lifting an object using a hoist rope includes a boom having a first end portion and a second end portion. A carrier or conveyor is provided for carrying the hoist rope from adjacent the first end portion of the boom to adjacent the second end portion of the boom. Related methods are disclosed.

Abstract: There is disclosed a device of an evacuation system, in particular a foldable evacuation means which is arranged to be lowered from a parked folded up position on the vessel to be evacuated to stretched out position on a rescue device, the bottom section of which including a weight device to keep the evacuation means sufficient extended in use position, an including a set of one or more cables/wires connected to a winch arrangement for lowering and lifting the evacuation means. The evacuation device is characterized in that the weight device is arranged to be positioned on the rescue device, and the system includes means to compensate for varying distances between the vessel to be evacuated and the rescue vessel.

Abstract: A high current cursor comprises a outer frame in which a center carriage travels. The center carriage travels between the top and bottom of the outer frame. Movement of the center carriage is limited within the outer frame constraints and its own locking mechanism. Center carriage carries a bend restrictor for an umbilical or lift line. When the center carriage travels down to a predetermined position within the high current cursor, equipment is allowed to exit the high current cursor or is retrieved back into the high current cursor when the bend restrictor reaches a predetermined position within the outer frame, e.g. at its lowest point, allowing dispersal and/or retrieval without obstruction back to a fixed recovery point.

Abstract: Device (10) or apparatus for launching at least one boat (12) from a structure (14), that is at least partially surrounded by water (16), into the water. The device (10) comprises at least one launch ramp (18) and means to effect translational displacement of said at least one launch ramp (18) when the device (10) has been mounted on said structure (14) in order to enable the position of said at least one launch ramp (18) to be changed before launching said at least one boat (12) into the water (16).

Abstract: Device (10) or apparatus for launching at least one boat (12) from a structure (14), that is at least partially surrounded by water (16), into the water. The device (10) comprises at least one launch ramp (18) and means to effect translational displacement of said at least one launch ramp (18) when the device (10) has been mounted on said structure (14) in order to enable the position of said at least one launch ramp (18) to be changed before launching said at least one boat (12) into the water (16).

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and devices for launching into the water, from a height H greater than a predetermined height hmax, a life-saving object designed to be able to be launched into the water in free fall from this maximum height hmax. One end of a halyard is fixedly hooked to the life-saving object or to the launch site; the halyard functionally cooperates respectively with the launch site or the life-saving object so that the life-saving object falling by gravity is braked on and/or by the halyard over at least one part (H-hmax) of its drop height. By controlling the braking effect, the life-saving object, falling from the height H in a braked manner over at least one part (H-hmax) of this height hits the surface of the water (5) with a kinetic energy not exceeding that which it would have at the end of a non-braked free fall from at most the height hmax.

Abstract: A mooring system (28) of a floatable unit (20), such as life raft or platform, the floatable unit (20) having a first side (21) facing a vessel side (22) and a second side (23) facing away from the vessel side (22). The mooring system (28) comprises at least two back springs (2) which are in connection with the first side (21) of the floatable unit (20), and at least one strap (1) which is in connection with the second side (23) of the floatable unit (20), the back springs (2) and the strap (1) being connected to the vessel (30). The back springs (2) are adapted to control the floatable unit (20) in a longitudinal direction in relation to the vessel (30), and the strap (1) is adapted to control the floatable unit (20) in a transverse direction in relation to the vessel (30). The floatable unit is held in secure and fixed position alongside the vessel side, thereby enabling people evacuating from the vessel to enter the floatable unit without any high risk of injury or damage.

Abstract: A device for jettisoning an object into the water from a vessel has a body having a pair of parallel straight tracks each provided with a pivot seat and connection plate respectively mounted on opposite ends thereof, a locking assembly having an axle pivotally connected between one of the connection plates and one of the parallel straight tracks and two opposed locks securely mounted on different ends of the axle and a set of moving tracks pivotally connected with the pair of straight tracks of the body and having a pair of opposed ears respectively formed on the under side of each of the set of the moving tracks. With this arrangement, the cart is able to be safely moved before the device of the invention, and after deactivation of the locks on the moving tracks, the push cart with the object carried thereon is then smoothly moved to a position ready for jettisoning an object into the water.

Abstract: A marine escape system has a passage extending between an evacuation point on a vessel and an inflatable life raft. The passage is arranged vertically and is connected to a succession of hoops. The connection between at least one of the hoops and the life raft is achieved by flexible elongate members of differing flexibility These are held in tension so that, as the life rafts move on swell, the passage extends and retracts from the lower end first. This allows the passage to have only one exit which can be within a life raft so that persons can evacuate from the ship without ever being exposed to the elements. The passage may include a helical tube or a tube with angled panels.

Abstract: A marine vessel launch apparatus utilizing cradle wedges that are released by explosive triggers. The cradle wedges are located above each skidway and directly support the vessel. The cradle wedge is shaped and sized to provide a direct means of connecting the cradle wedge to the vessel tieback/support. The tieback/support for the cradle wedge is rigidly attached to the skidway. The tieback/support and cradle wedge are held together with bolts and frangible nuts. Explosive charges are used on the frangible nuts to release the cradle wedges from the tieback/support and launch the vessel. Jacks provide positive horizontal pressure on the cradle wedges to break static friction between the cradle wedges and skidways to initiate vessel motion down the skidways and into the waterway.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a system for launching barges from the deck of a ship, the system including: ramp means selectively positionable along the side of the ship such that a selected one of the barges may be placed on the ramp means and allowed to slide therealong by gravity into water in which the ship is floating.

Abstract: A rescue ramp (10) for use by a watercraft (11) includes a laterally extending first inflatable tube member (14) attachable to the watercraft (11). Second spaced inflatable tube members (15) are connected at one end to and extend longitudinally from the ends of the first tube member (14). A third inflatable tube member (16) is connected between the second tube members (15) near the other end thereof and is adapted to be positioned in the water. A ramp (17) is connected to the first and second tube members (14, 15) so that when the rescue ramp (10) is inflated and attached to the watercraft (11), a person may traverse from the water to the watercraft (11) or from the watercraft (11) to the water. The first tube member (14) is attached to the watercraft (11) by means of a girt bar (23) releasably mounted on the watercraft (11). The girt bar (23) is connected to a first flap (26) which is detachably connected to a second flap (20) attached to the first tube member (14).

Abstract: An inflatable system for opening a door of a container in which is located an inflatable shoot includes a retaining member connecting a door for the container to a portion of the wall structure of the container with the retaining portion including a breakable section which houses an explosive device which is exploded upon supplying of fluid under pressure to the container system.

Abstract: A launching device for rescue craft having a base portion, a ramp tilted at angle to procure initial movement of the rescue craft and, a chute with inboard and outboard ends, pivotally mounted on the base the chute being swingable between a more or less upright storage position, and a launching position, in which it swung outwardly and downwardly at a predetermined chute angle, the chute receiving the rescue craft as it moves off the ramp and supporting it for motion at a downward angle away from such base.

Abstract: Personnel evacuation apparatus for use with an offshore platform. A launching ramp that is mounted to the platform by a gimbal is stowed in a vertical position with a survival vessel secured in the entry end of the ramp. A release mechanism activatable from the deck of the platform enables flotation members secured to the exit end of the ramp, to pivot the ramp about the gimbal to its deployed position. The gimbal further permits the ramp to maintain a usable orientation in spite of inclination of the deck of the platform by 25.degree. due to pitch, roll or yaw. The exit end will pivot under wave action so as to gravity launch the survival vessel downwind and, upon release of the boat securement, carry the vessel safely away from the platform.

Abstract: Marine rail system including a rail assembly of parallel ramped rails, a winch supporting a steel cable at one end, a carriage including a forward carriage and a rearward carriage with a torque tube of three members, two of the members being telescoping with respect to the third member, connecting said front and rear carriages, and the cable pulling through a front strap the front carriage as well as through a place affixed to the rear carriage through the torque tube. The torque tube provides for flexing of the front carriage and the rear carriage with respect to the watercraft as well as with respect to the rail. The guide bars as well as the length of the torque tube are adjustable to accommodate any width of beam as well as any length of watercraft. Bunk supports slide on an I-beam, providing for adjustability of the bottom of the hull, especially for V-hulled watercraft. The rail sections are in convenient lengths and secured with splicers providing for easy shipment.