Sliding davit enables rescue boat handling in Arctic conditions

Norway’s Vestdavit has developed a sliding davit that permits easy handling and maintenance of rescue craft in Artic conditions.

Vestdavit’s PLR-3600 MOB/FRC davit is DNV and ABS approved for work in -40 degree C and can handle MOB boats and Fast Rescue Craft safely in Arctic conditions.

The PLR-3600 Arctic davit is built from specialized steel and all moving parts have special seals, all tested, approved and certified for operations to 40 degrees C below zero. The hydraulic power unit and hydraulic system is specially built for this type of operation, including use of special hydraulic fluid for Arctic operations. The davit has built-in shock absorbing and is wave compensated to allow ease of use in high seas. The whole unit is housed in a protected alcove or enclosed garage. Maintenance intervals are also lengthened to avoid the need for routine work on the davits while in very cold weather.

Vestdavit also designs and supplies Arctic-capable davits able to handle 30 tonne boats and can integrate these with the ship’s garage and stern launch boat handling systems for extreme conditions.

“As the Arctic opens up to shipping and oil exploration, there is more and more need for the specialized vessels which can operate in those conditions,” says Atle Kalve, development manager, Vestdavit. “We have already designed and supplied Arctic-capable davits for icebreaker operators, and now increasingly for U.S .offshore firms operating in Alaska. But the weather in which vessels operating in the Artic regions want to maintain operations calls for new ways to store, launch and recover boats in extreme conditions of sea state and low temperatures. We are responding to the market needs with the sliding PLR-3600 davit. The alcove protection allows maintenance of the craft and davit protected from the weather and ensures it is ready when needed. The davit system slides aft clear of the alcove then launches the boat using our proven davit systems in an extreme winterised version.”

November 16, 2011