A lifeboat hook assembly comprising a hook-shaped beak (5) and a release mechanism (6), said hook shaped beak (5) is rigidly connected to a lifeboat (2) at one end, said hook shaped beak (5) having a downwardly oriented shoulder (18) against which a loop (17) is adapted to rest so that the lifeboat is suspended in said loop (17), said release mechanism (6) is coupled to the hook-shaped beak (5) and is adapted to move relative to the hook-shaped beak (5) between a locked position (8a, 10a) wherein the loop is prevented from escaping from the shoulder (18), and a releasing position (8e, 10e) wherein the loop (17) is allowed to escape from the shoulder (18), an actuator (11) is coupled to the release mechanism (6) and is adapted to move the release mechanism (6) between the locked position (8a, 10a) and the releasing position (8e, 10e). The invention being distinctive in that said hook shaped beak (5) or said release mechanism has a first guide slot (7) and a second guide slot (9), said other of said hook shaped beak (5) or release mechanism (6) has a first guide pin (8) and a second guide pin (10), said first guide pin (7) being adapted to engage with the first guide slot (8), said second guide pin (10) being adapted to engage with the second guide slot (9).

This invention, The Sling Thang strap device, addresses the safety and structural issues associated with hoisting a boat out of the water for storage, utilizing a traditional sling system. The structural issues arise when a boat is driven over the slings in the boat slip causing the slings to twist and separate. The safety issues arise when the owner attempts to manipulate the slings in order to remove the twist and re-position the slings. The Sling Thang is installed at the center of each existing sling straps. The Sling Thang strap or straps, between each of the existing sling straps, can be weighted down so as not to impede on any type of watercraft entering the boatlift area. The existing slings will not separate any further than the Sling Thang maximum allowance. The Sling Thang is also designed to eliminate the existing slings from twisting.

This invention, The Sling Thang strap device, addresses the safety and structural issues associated with hoisting a boat out of the water for storage, utilizing a traditional sling system. The structural issues arise when a boat is driven over the slings in the boat slip causing the slings to twist and separate. The safety issues arise when the owner attempts to manipulate the slings in order to remove the twist and re-position the slings. The Sling Thang is installed at the center of each existing sling straps. The Sling Thang strap or straps, between each of the existing sling straps, can be weighted down so as not to impede on any type of watercraft entering the boatlift area. The existing slings will not separate any further than the Sling Thang maximum allowance. The Sling Thang is also designed to eliminate the existing slings from twisting.

The present application provides a launching arrangement for a lifeboat from an offshore installation. The launching arrangement may include a garage for the lifeboat, a gate of the garage that can be opened by gravity, wherein the lifeboat can be launched either as a free fall lifeboat or by a fall of a lifeboat winch in case of an emergency situation and while a power supply is off, and wherein the garage is equipped with the gate with a wire rope winch, a lower hydraulic cylinder, and an upper hydraulic cylinder; and the gate of the garage opens by gravity by simultaneous operation of a wire rope winch of the gate and the lower hydraulic cylinder and the upper hydraulic cylinder, both hydraulic cylinders working as a closed hydraulic system; and the lower hydraulic cylinder and the upper hydraulic cylinder including piston rods.

A boat includes a hull having a movable stern platform which can be lowered into the water so as to allow to drop or retrieve a small vessel associated with the boat into/from such water. The stern platform includes two movable parts differently from each other.

A boat includes a hull having a movable stern platform which can be lowered into the water so as to allow to drop or retrieve a small vessel associated with the boat into/from such water. The stern platform includes two movable parts differently from each other.