Developing a hook for remote connection of life rafts

Evacuation procedures at sea are well regulated and described by international law, most notably the SOLAS convention. SSRS have, in project FIRST, developed a new methodology where life rafts are lifted up to the rescue ship’s deck. This is a faster and more efficient way of rescuing evacuees but there are still areas of improvement. Today rescue personnel have to manually connect the life raft to a line from the ship, a potentially dangerous assignment. This thesis describes the development of a new locking mechanism that will enable rescue personnel to remotely connect the life raft.

The main concept is a modified hook located on top of the life raft. The shape of the hook ensures that a noose can be lowered down over the hook and then tightened. The head of the hook is rounded with an indentation allowing the line to position itself in a way that ensures a safe lift, keeping the life raft in an upright position. The concept has the advantage of a simple design with few parts, making the risk of failure due to mechanical errors low. There are opportunities for further developments, particularly regarding adaptation to the noose and its method of transportation from the rescue ship.

The report is written in Swedish.