Norwegian Coastguard Retrofits Single Point Davits for Enhanced Safety
The Norwegian Coastguard just raised its standard by retrofitting six single-point davits to its Nordkapp-class vessels, not just to enhance safety, but also for more efficient use of space aboard its compact vessels.
Norway’s reputation for high environmental standards can be a double-edged sword: for some, Norway takes the environmentally responsible lead that others will one day follow; for others, it’s all very well being so green – if you’re lucky enough to be Norwegian!
Safety standards and their enforcement can also depend on where you are in the world but, as far as the SOLAS Convention, covering the safety of life at sea is concerned, all lives are equal. In this context, any raising of standards from the Norwegian Coastguard should be of interest across the maritime world.
Better safety at sea
And better safety is exactly the impetus behind the NCG’s specification of six PLR-5002 compact single point davits from Vestdavit, which have been retrofitted to its Nordkapp-class vessels. The Norwegian Coast Guard’s surveillance, SAR and customs work call for constant launch and recovery of RIBs for boarding other vessels, with its patrol vessels operating in the harshest environments on the Norwegian coast. Service for the Nordkapp class means patrolling in the Arctic sea areas up to the ice edge in Norway’s EEZ and in the protected area around Svalbard.
We recently completed delivery of the last of a modified marine davit type for these vessels, which are mounted on a skid for easy installation, with each capable of safe launch and recovery of a fully-loaded RIB in sea states up to five.
Compact davits to save space
The units are distinguished by the way the pivoting davit arms extend far out over the side of the vessel, a feature that helps to save space on board these compact Nordkapp class offshore patrol vessels, with the installation restricted by height and inset depth, and access required behind the davit.
The PLR-5002 is a very neat davit solution designed to address very narrow spaces and height restrictions too. In line with our role as experts in safe boat handling for life, the PLR-5002 davit is also approved by DNV-GL as an FRC davit. The standard for obtaining such approval is challenging; among other requirements is the need for a live launch and recovery demonstration in sea state 5. The approval at sea demonstrated to DNV-GL by one of our professional service engineers, went just fine.