ASSIGNMENT 3

What are the types of life saving appliances on-board the ship and its usage

1. Lifeboats 
Lifeboats are the most basic and mandated equipment on board.
They are further classified into free-fall boats, partially-covered lifeboats and totally-covered
lifeboats. Abiding by the SOLAS convention, each vessel must have enough lifeboats to secure 1.5
times the number of people on board.
Totally covered lifeboat is used most commonly. They are watertight, with access through hatches
that can be opened from both sides. The advantage is that they safeguard occupants from extreme
temperatures while allowing people to navigate from within.
2. Davit Systems
Davit systems are used for hoisting, lifting, and storing lifeboats so that they stay secure at all times
but can be easily removed when necessary. There are various types of davits, including slide-on
davits, sling davits, winch-on davits, lift-up davits, etc. along with assorted accessories such as
hoists, cranes, hooks, and more.
All boats and ships should have well-maintained davit systems, inspected regularly from time to
time, to ensure that the lifeboat and liferaft stowage/release systems are operational at times of
emergencies.
3. Rescue Boats
Rescue boats are used to rescue people from drowning, near the shore, or in the deep sea. Rescue
boats are rigid, inflatable or hybrid structure with a minimum length of 3.8m. They can capacitate 6
people: 5 seated and 1 lying down. 
The design of rescue boats allows high power capacity and hence ensures a faster pace than other
conventional boats. They are also equipped with all the material required to provide first-aid to the
person in distress.
Technically, rescue boats are expected to have a consistent speed of up to 6 knots for 4 hours straight
and be able to tow life rafts and lifeboats of a ship, even when filled to complete capacity.
4. Line-throwing devices
Line-throwing appliances are used to project a from the boat to the person overboard or from one
boat to another and pull the object in distress to safety. It is propelled by an internal striker
mechanism and a rocket and needs to be capable of projecting the line with reasonable accuracy. Per
the SOLAS regulations, every ship has to carry at least 4 line-throwing devices at all times. 
5. GMDSS equipment
The Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) is an internationally established set of
safety procedures, types of equipment, and communication protocols used to increase safety and
make it easier to rescue distressed ships, boats and aircraft.
We saw the use of some GMDSS in the previous article, such as pyrotechnics and distress signals. 
Adding to that list, some other handy tools are Automatic Identification Systems and Personal
Locators that ensure personal safety. 
Their GPS-based functioning allows the devices to convey the precise location of the wearer to the
control console, which helps locate the person that much more quickly.
6. Intelligent fire alarm systems
Intelligent fire alarm systems include appliances such as fire detectors, smoke detectors, etc.
They are high-performing devices that allow for fast detection and management of fires. The
mechanism uses a series of control and relay modules and probes and provides an advanced warning
to protect lives. The low cabling cost is an added advantage.
7. Portable fire extinguishers
Portable fire extinguishers are invaluable tools to protect seafarers in case a fire breaks out on the
ocean. They are further classified based on the type of extinguishing material used in the fire
extinguisher as well as the different causes of fires. As a result, it is imperative to  choose the right
type of fire extinguisher, as per the aforementioned conditions. 
8. Thermal Suits
Thermal suits are waterproof suits that protect the wearer from hypothermia from immersion in cold
water, after abandoning a sinking or capsized vessel, especially in the open ocean. 
They are designed to have a conductivity of less than 0.25 W/mK and are used to conserve body heat
in extreme temperatures up to -30 degrees Celsius.
Thermal protective aids generally cover the entire body of the wearer, except for the face hence
providing maximum guarding against the external temperatures.
9. Gas detectors and spares
Gas detectors are highly useful in finding the presence of toxic and combustible gases on ships.
These are especially popular in mining, oil and gas, chemical, and industrial sectors, where there is a
high possibility of noxious leaks. These atmosphere testing instruments are placed at the entry to
enclosed spaces and map the concentration levels of the various gases in the room.
10. Ladders
Ladders are a means of getting on or off ships safely, along the ships’ side whenever necessary.
Various types of ladders can be used to get on or off a ship, depending on the urgency and location.
Of all various types, pilot ladders are the most frequently used, though they have a high rate of
associated injuries. Embarkation ladders are to be used when the ship/boat has to be abandoned
during adverse conditions and need to be SOLAS compliant to ensure guarded safety. 
11. Jason’s Cradles
Jason’s cradles are strong nets woven from cloth webbing, used to rescue a person in distress and aid
him overboard. They are available in different formats such as – standard units, scramble nets,
stretcher units, etc. 
These appliances are easily grabbable and can be used to tow the person in the water towards the
boat. They are especially useful in case the person has suffered an injury and cannot pull
himself/herself using a rope or lifebuoy.
ASSIGNMENT 4
Differentiate the uses of lifeboat, life craft, and rescue boat.

Life rafts are provided as a life-saving appliance on every seagoing merchant or

passenger ship, in addition to the lifeboats. Life rafts are much easier to launch than
lifeboats. In case of emergencies, evacuation from the ship can be done without
manually launching any of them, as the life rafts are designed with an auto-inflatable
system. Life rafts are stored in a fibreglass container, incorporated with a high-pressure
gas used for inflating life rafts at the time of emergency. Some ships carry a davit
launching system which allows the crew to inflate and board the raft on the deck,
avoiding the risk of going into the seawater.
ASSIGNMENT 5
How are we able to minimize the risk of fire and maintain a state of readiness in
responding to fire-related emergency situations on board the ship?

The best way to deal with fires on board ships is to prevent them rather than letting
them occur. Breaking out of fire in a place where no fire exist is called “ignition”,
whereas “flash” is a term used for fire eruption in a new place as a result of flames from
an existing fire in a nearby place (the ignition source).

Fires on board ships can be prevented by finding and rectifying leakages of fuel oil,
lubricating oil, and exhaust gases.

In a ship’s generator room, the biggest danger of fire is from a leaky high pressure fuel
pipe. Oil leaking from such pipe can fall on high temperature exhaust manifold or on
indicator cocks, which are sensitive points for catching fire.

Fires can be largely prevented by providing effective laggings to hot surfaces such as
generator turbocharger bellows, main engine exhaust uptakes after the turbocharger, various
steam pipes and pipes carrying hot oil. Laggings can be done by ship staff but these days
specialist contractors are available to carry out this work more aesthetically. Also, whenever
lagging is removed, a habit should be cultivated to put it back after the work is finished.
Calm down - When I lose my temper, I’ll talk to God for me to CALM DOWN again.

Ask around - I have no idea, but I’ll ASK AROUND at class and see if anyone can help.

Pay back

Move up

Bear with

to do homework - My brother does his homework after beakfast.

 Ask after somebody

 Get a call
 Keep calm
 Come right back