USCG Exam PracticeLifeboatman — survival craft and davits
Which type of davit is described as the standard for merchant ship lifeboats because it requires no external power to launch and can operate when the ship is listing or has lost power?
- A. Radial davit
- B. Mechanical davit
- ✓ Gravity davitCorrect
- D. Quadrantal davit
Why C is correct
NAVEDTRA 14343 §5-1 identifies gravity davits as the standard for lifeboats on merchant ships because they launch by gravity alone — when tricing pendants and gripes are released and the winch brake lifted, the weight of the boat and davit arms rolls the davit down inclined tracks — making them operable without power and when the ship is listing.
Cited:NAVEDTRA 14343 §5-1