Anyone know what this sub is for on this freighter?

[Expidia]

I've cruised on by this freighter on the hudson river in the port of albany a few times. Can't figure out what the sub on the back is for?
I figured maybe to fix a prop or something like that . .
Maybe for underwater visual inspections . . .
A launch that the captain uses to go get a beer onshore . . .

Or maybe its an escape pod for the captain when the somalian pirates take over the ship

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: Anyone know what this sub is for on this freighter?

You're closest guess is an escape pod. It is a life boat.

 

[Expidia]

Re: Anyone know what this sub is for on this freighter?

For "one" life? Maybe it holds a few people and this freighter does not have more than that onboard. I think it brings scrap metal back to china.

 

[The_Kid]

Re: Anyone know what this sub is for on this freighter?

It's a free fall lifeboat for the entire crew. The Sabrina Venture has a beam of 105 feet so the lifeboat is larger than it looks.

 

[scottmm73]

Re: Anyone know what this sub is for on this freighter?

Do you recall when the Maersk Alabama was hijacked by the Somali pirates? Google it, that is the same design lifeboat that the pirates and Capt. Phillips were on board when the Navy Seal snipers (presumably) took out the pirates.

 

[angus63]

Re: Anyone know what this sub is for on this freighter?

Offshore platforms, drilling rigs, and vessels with hazardous cargo and explosion risks often have free fall enclosed lifeboats for expedited evacuation. Most other vessels have gravity davits for lifeboats. They have capacities from 25 to 90 people. SOLAS requirements are becoming more stringent so you will see alot more of these enclosed types on vessels. We have a gravity davit style here at the Academy. The free fall ones are dangerous and the impact is not soft. Many injuries occur during a panic with the freefall type.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zoTxNrfHDJw

 

[Expidia]

Re: Anyone know what this sub is for on this freighter?

Wow great vid. This is what I love about this forum . . . Ask a question and there are many who know the answer. Great vid angus. I bet when they deploy that lifeboat it can dislodge a few teeth when that thing hits the water
And thanks to the rest of the responders to this thread !!!

 

[avenger79]

Re: Anyone know what this sub is for on this freighter?

yep I never would have guessed that was how it deployed. not kidding about free fall.

 

[LongLine]

Re: Anyone know what this sub is for on this freighter?

Looks like it works great as long as the ship is level. What would happen if ship is bow down?

Tom B.
(LongLine)

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: Anyone know what this sub is for on this freighter?

You do know, that you can type the name of a vessel into google and get all kinds of information on it, if you want to take the time to look through the various entries.....

Right?

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: Anyone know what this sub is for on this freighter?

Looks like it works great as long as the ship is level. What would happen if ship is bow down?

Tom B.
(LongLine)

An even longer drop!

Yikes!

 

[Outsider]

Re: Anyone know what this sub is for on this freighter?

What would happen if ship is bow down?
Probably nothing as bad as following the bow ... down! :laugh:

 

[LongLine]

Re: Anyone know what this sub is for on this freighter?

With a couple "bumps" on the free fall....like off the aft section & thru the props. ouch!

 

[southkogs]

Re: Anyone know what this sub is for on this freighter?

With a couple "bumps" on the free fall....like off the aft section & thru the props. ouch!

Just watching videos of those things in the past, I would guess nearly "any" landing in the water has it's share of BUMPS. Better'n being dead, tho.