Offshore handling systems specialist, Caley Ocean Systems has been awarded a contract by Babcock, to supply rescue boat davits for a new offshore patrol vessel for the Irish Naval Service (INS).
The all-weather Caley davits are designed for rapid deployment, enabling boats to be held in readiness and launched in seconds, even in Sea State 6 (5 metre (16ft) significant waves) conditions. Crew safety is paramount to the davits handling system which features anti-pendulation control for pitch and roll damping and reduction of pendulum swing. During boat recovery, the towing boom positions the boat under the davit, eliminating boat yaw, while light auto tension winch control eliminates snatching during recovery.
The Caley systems for the INS patrol vessel comprise two C-frame davits with associated towing booms, central hydraulic power units and controls. Each C-frame davit is designed to perform the launch and recovery of a rigid inflatable boat weighing up to a 4.5Te SWL. Stored in the davit’s integral secure stowage boat cradle, launch and recovery operations are controlled from a single control station, mounted aft of the davit, allowing the operator a clear view of the davit boat and towing boom.
Caley davits are already used on a number of Irish Naval Service ships including: the Roisin class offshore patrol vessels Long Eirennach (Irish Ship) Róisín and LE Niamh, and offshore / helicopter patrol vessel LE Eithne.
With over 200 systems in operation, and 15 years continuous product development, the award winning, Caley davit is able to handle all leading rigid inflatable rescue boats and work boats, and guaranteed for sea-state 6 operation in most applications.
[mappress] Naval Today Staff, August 15, 2012; Image: Caley