Systematic investigation of lifeboat evacuation performance

The capabilities of marine evacuation systems deployed on offshore structures have been investigated using a systematic series of model experiments in a large test facility at the Institute for Marine Dynamics. The main test program consisted of an evaluation of the conventional twin-falls davit launched lifeboat system. Its performance during launching, clearing, and sail-away phases of the evacuation process from a fixed installation was examined as a function of weather conditions. Tests were done in a range of conditions, from calm water up to Beaufort 8. The effects of changes in the configuration of the evacuation system were also determined. Configuration variations included the height of launch, the clearance of the lifeboat from the platform, and its orientation with respect to the platform. The uniquely comprehensive results are presented and discussed in the context of design, operations, and regulatory considerations. Weather is shown to have important effects on performance, as are clearance and orientation.Peer reviewed: YesNRC publication: Ye