As a type of marine lifesaving equipment, life rescue boats have been equipped on sea ships for nearly a century. With the continuous improvement of people's understanding of maritime human life safety guarantees, life rescue boats have been continuously developed and perfected. Today, various life rescue boats with different structures and materials are better serving different types of vessels, and their performance is constantly being improved, aiming to ensure the safety of crew and passengers. Below, we will introduce three common types of life rescue boats in detail.
An open life rescue boat is a life rescue boat without a fixed canopy device. Since there is no canopy, people will not be obstructed when boarding or leaving the boat, and the upper space inside the boat is spacious, making it relatively free and convenient for personnel to move inside the boat. This design makes the process of boarding the boat and leaving the dangerous ship much quicker, greatly improving rescue efficiency. Its biggest advantage is simple operation, suitable for situations requiring urgent evacuation.
However, open life rescue boats also have certain drawbacks. Due to the lack of a fixed canopy, boat crew are easily exposed to the natural environment under harsh weather conditions. During strong winds, large waves, and rain, people inside the boat will be attacked by seawater, easily suffering physical injuries or illnesses. In hot weather or strong sunlight, crew members directly exposed to the sun are prone to heatstroke, dehydration, and other dangers. Therefore, under special weather conditions, the life-saving function of open life rescue boats is somewhat limited.
A partially enclosed life rescue boat has rigid canopies at the bow and stern, each covering no less than 20% of the boat's length, with a foldable canopy in the middle section. The combination of the foldable canopy and rigid canopies can effectively block wind and rain, avoiding damage to the crew caused by sea waves and intense sunlight. This design enables the life rescue boat to protect the crew from inclement weather to a certain extent, providing safer shelter, especially in stormy environments.
Additionally, partially enclosed life rescue boats are equipped with multiple entrances for boarding and leaving the boat, which also serve for ventilation. While this type of life rescue boat combines the flexibility of open life rescue boats and the protection of enclosed life rescue boats, the escape process after capsizing is not as convenient as with open life rescue boats. According to the international LSA regulations, partially enclosed life rescue boats are permitted on passenger ships engaged in international voyages and are suitable for certain specific scenarios.
Totally enclosed life rescue boats are equipped with a fixed rigid canopy on the upper part, providing complete protection for the crew from external environmental influences. To facilitate crew access, totally enclosed life rescue boats have passage covers that can be opened and closed from both inside and outside.
When closed, the passage cover ensures the watertight integrity of the life rescue boat and provides excellent thermal insulation, thus offering better protection for the personnel inside in cold or harsh weather conditions.
Totally enclosed life rescue boats are considered one of the safest and most effective marine lifesaving equipments, ensuring the safety of people at sea during storms and waves. Due to their excellent safety performance and ability to prevent exposure to cold, seawater, and other external factors, more and more vessels are starting to be equipped with this type of life rescue boat extensively. This type of life rescue boat is particularly suitable for vessels engaged in long voyages and facing extreme weather conditions.
With the continuous improvement of marine lifesaving equipments, the types and technologies of maritime life-saving equipment are also continuously evolving and improving. Different types of life rescue boats cater to the needs of different vessels, ensuring the safety of crew and passengers.
Whether it is an open life rescue boat, a partially enclosed life rescue boat, or a totally enclosed life rescue boat, each type has its unique advantages and limitations. Choosing the appropriate life rescue boat is crucial for improving the survival rate of vessels in distress at sea. As an important marine lifesaving equipment, life rescue boats will continue to play a significant role in ensuring the safety of people at sea.
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