lifeboat

A lifeboat is a small craft carried on ships for emergency evacuation of passengers and crew. It is designed to be launched from the vessel and to remain afloat and navigable in rough seas until rescue arrives. Lifeboats fall into two broad families: rigid-hulled lifeboats, usually powered by a small engine and equipped with oars or paddles, and inflatable lifeboats, which can be unpowered or motorized and may be enclosed or open.

Deployment and equipment: Lifeboats are typically launched using davits or gravity davits, with some vessels employing free-fall launching from a stern ramp. They carry survival gear such as life jackets or immersion suits, drinking water, rations, signaling devices, a first-aid kit, a bilge pump, a sea anchor, a towline, and a distress beacon (radio or satellite). Modern boats may include a small engine, steering controls, and watertight storage compartments.

Self-righting and safety: Many modern lifeboats are designed to self-right after capsizing to maintain flotation and visibility. They are subject to regular maintenance, inspections, and drills under international standards, notably SOLAS. Regulations require launch readiness, proper equipment, and training for abandon-ship procedures.

Design and use: Lifeboats have evolved from wooden rowing boats to durable hulls made of steel, aluminum, or composite materials. Inflatable lifeboats reduce weight and force on launching appliances, while rigid-hulled lifeboats offer greater stability and control. Lifeboats are complemented by liferafts on many ships to provide additional flotation capacity in emergencies.