equipmentlifeboats

Equipment lifeboats are survival craft carried on ships to enable safe evacuation and continued survival in the event of abandoning a vessel. They are designed to stay afloat, protect occupants from the elements, and provide space for essentials until rescue or return to civilization is possible.

There are several classes of lifeboats. Enclosed lifeboats have a rigid hull with a protective canopy, offering shelter from waves and weather. Open lifeboats rely on a simple hull and enclosure, while rigid-hulled inflatable lifeboats combine a rigid hull with inflatable tubes for stability and buoyancy. Modern ships typically deploy lifeboats from dedicated launching gear, such as davits or free-fall slides, and may use either oars or outboard motors for propulsion.

Equipment lifeboats carry a standard set of survival and signaling gear designed to support occupants during extended exposure at sea. Common components include personal protective clothing, drinking water, food rations, a first aid kit, signaling devices (such as flares, whistles, and a radar reflector), a compass, a waterproof light, and communication equipment. Additional gear can include spare lines, a small anchor, a manual bilge pump, and basic repair materials. Lifeboats are designed to be self-righting and to maintain buoyancy in challenging conditions, improving chances of survival in rough seas.

Regulatory and maintenance aspects: lifeboats must meet international standards, notably the SOLAS Convention, which sets requirements for capacity, equipment, testing, and routine maintenance. Regular inspections, servicing of launching gear, propulsion systems, and signaling devices are mandated, with oversight conducted by flag states and port state control authorities.