'Devil is in the detail' for davit systems

Getting it right in the design phase is critical to the performance of boat-handling equipment and cutting corners can prove costly

The efficiency of a davit is determined by the sum of its moving parts and a failure of any one of these components can have fatal consequences - so eliminating such pain points early in the design process is key to a successful delivery.

 

The interconnected shock absorbers, wave-compensating winches and other components that make up an intricate boat-handling system must be designed to endure the intense stresses and strains from repetitive usage in variable sea conditions and harsh marine environments.

 

The main reasons why such systems sometimes fail are human error, a lack of proper maintenance, inadequate training for operators and service technicians, and the use of rogue parts that have not been subject to rigorous testing procedures to ensure reliability.

Davits must have a failsafe constant self-tension system, a hydraulic shock absorber to bear peak loads and an end stop to ensure that launch craft carrying personnel or expensive equipment such as remote-operated vehicles can be safely deployed in the water even at speed.

 

As well as the safety aspect due to the potential risk to human life, davit reliability is necessary from an economic standpoint both to safeguard against damage to launch craft and losses from equipment downtime that reduces the number of missions that can be carried out, which must be measured against the daily operational cost of having a vessel at sea.

 

“As regards maintenance, the devil is in the detail to keep davits working safely day in and day out as they should to ensure constant availability for missions by navies and coastguards,” says Henric Collvin, after-sales director for Bergen-based davit supplier Vestdavit.

 

“The sea is a harsh place and a level of preventive maintenance is necessary,” he adds.

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