With over 20 years of lifeboat manufacturing experience, Grand Ocean provides globally certified lifeboats compliant with the latest IMO/SOLAS/LSA international regulations and approved by marine classification societies.
We provide rescue boats, fast rescue boats, fully enclosed lifeboats, and free-fall lifeboats. All our products meet international safety standards, ensuring your vessels pass inspections and deliveries smoothly while achieving safety and compliance in applications such as merchant ships, cruise liners, and offshore platforms.
With deep industry expertise, rigorous quality management systems, and enduring quality, Grand Ocean has become a trusted one-stop supplier for international buyers. Whether you are a shipyard, shipowner, or offshore contractor, we deliver customized solutions for your projects, ensuring safety and peace of mind for every voyage.
Our four types of lifeboats feature a full range of models to meet the diverse needs of merchant ships, cruise liners, offshore platforms, and other projects. This saves you time in procurement, reduces interface risks, and ensures system-wide compatibility.
The marine-grade aluminum alloy and reinforced FRP we use are selected not just for strength, but for maximum resistance to saltwater corrosion and UV degradation. This translates to a longer service life, lower maintenance costs, and enhanced asset value for your vessel.
Our ISO 9001:2015 certified quality management system, coupled with full compliance with SOLAS, guarantees that every lifeboat leaves our factory audit-ready. This minimizes the risk of non-conformities during port state controls or class surveys, preventing operational downtime.
Our one-stop service includes early-stage technical consulting to integrate lifeboat and davit specs into your vessel design, dedicated project management for on-time delivery, and global spare parts support to maximize operational readiness. We become an extension of your team, de-risking your project timeline.
Simultaneously certified by all major classification societies (ABS, BV, CCS, etc.), our lifeboats are accepted in shipyards worldwide, simplifying your global newbuilding and repair operations.
Each unit is designed and built according to strict international maritime standards, ensuring reliable quality and stable performance. Whether for commercial ships, cruise vessels, or offshore platforms, certified lifeboats help you pass inspections and approvals smoothly.
Our lifeboats feature an advanced Launch and Recovery System (LARS) equipped with multiple hook release mechanisms, ensuring rapid and secure deployment and retrieval for both lifeboats and rescue vessels. Our fail-safe hook release system features a redundant hydraulic mechanism and mechanical backup that complies with the latest MSC.404(96) regulations.
This design virtually eliminates the risk of premature or accidental release, a critical safety enhancement proven to protect the crew during emergency drills and actual abandon-ship scenarios.
As a full-solution provider, Grand Ocean engineers and supplies perfectly matched davit systems. Our davits are designed to meet international maritime standards and are engineered and tested as an integrated system with the lifeboats.
This ensures complete compatibility between the lifeboats and your vessel, guaranteeing successful launching within specified time frames during emergencies. These integrated solutions eliminate compatibility issues that could cause load test failures during commissioning, providing peace of mind for your project procurement.
| MODEL | DIMENSION | CAPACITY | SPEED | ENGINE | UNLOADED | FULLWEIGHT |
| NM43R | 4.30*1.86*0.78M | 6P | ≥6KNOTS | MERCURY 25HP | 605KG | 1100KG |
| NM45R (Single hook) | 4.50*1.86*0.78M | 6P | ≥6KNOTS | MERCURY 25HP | 700KG | 1195KG |
| NM45R (Double hook) | 4.50*1.86*0.78M | 6P | ≥6KNOTS | MERCURY 25HP | 700KG | 1195KG |
| NM45RB (Diesel) | 4.58*1.88*0.85M | 6P | ≥6KNOTS | 380J-3 | 990KG | 1485KG |
| MODEL | DIMENSION | CAPACITY | SPEED | ENGINE | UNLOADED | FULLWEIGHT |
| NM60R (Outboard) | 6.00*2.30*0.87M | 3-15P | 3P≥20KNOTS | MERCURY 60HP-90HP | 1175KG | 2412.5KG (15P) |
| NM60R (Inboard) | 6.00*2.30*0.87M | 3-15P | 3P≥20KNOTS | BUKU STEYR YANMAR SY | 1734KG | 2622.5KG (15P) |
| NM60R (Inboard) | 6.00*2.30*0.87M | 3-15P | 3P≥33KNOTS | BUKU STEYR | 1734KG | 2762.5KG (15P) |
MODEL | DIMENSION | CAPACITY | HOOK DISTIANCE | ENGINE | FULLWEIGHT |
NML50C | 5.04*1.85*0.89M | 16P | 4.64M | 380J-3 | 3490KG |
NM50F/C | 5.00*2.20*1.10M | 26P | 4.6M | 4610KG/4310KG | |
NM58F/C | 5.90*2.78*1.15M | 45P | 5.45M | 6762.5KG/6492.5KG | |
NM65F/C | 6.50*2.32*1.15M | 36P | 6.1M | 5920KG/5600KG | |
NM75F/C | 7.50*2.78*1.15M | 60P | 7M | 7861KG/7628KG | |
NM85F/C | 8.50*3.20*1.25M | 85P | 8.1M | 11667.5KG/11372.5KG | |
NM95F/C | 9.50*3.70*1.25M | 115P | 8.9M | 485J-3 | 15087.5KG/14687.5KG |
NM103F/C | 10.30*3.70*1.25M | 130P | 9.73M | 16908KG/16343KG | |
NM117F/C | 11.70*3.70*1.25M | 150P | 11.1M | 20332KG/19172KG |
MODEL
| DIMENSION | CAPACITY | SPEED | ENGINE | FULLWEIGHT |
NM59FF/FC | 5.90*2.75*1.06M | 26P | ≥6KNOTS | 380J-3 | 5415KG/5200KG |
NM67FF/FC | 6.70*2.75 *0.90M | 31P | ≥6KNOTS | 6626KG/6234KG | |
NM76FF/FC | 7.60*2.75*1.15M | 35P | ≥6KNOTS | 7367.5KG/7027.5KG |
Reliable Supplier of Lifeboat, Marine Cable, Marine Valve & Marine Safety Equipment
At sea, safety remains the paramount priority. Whether aboard merchant vessels, cruise ships, or offshore platforms, lifeboats serve as vital equipment for safeguarding the lives of crew and passengers. This article provides a comprehensive overview of lifeboats, including their types and primary functions, helping you better understand this critical maritime equipment and offering guidance for procurement and utilization in your projects.
A lifeboat is a vessel specifically designed for evacuating ships or offshore installations during emergencies, typically stowed on the embarkation deck. It is a mandatory requirement in ship design and inspection, and complies with relevant regulations established by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) through the SOLAS Convention.
Whether during a ship fire, grounding, sinking, or an offshore platform emergency, lifeboats provide crew and passengers with a safe means of evacuation while maintaining basic survival conditions until rescue arrives.
Lifeboats can be differentiated according to various types based on their structure, capacity, launching method, and propulsion system, with each type suitable for different ships and conditions of operations.
This is among the earliest lifeboats with a hull that does not have overall protection. It does not resist severe weather conditions and seawater entry and is thus not used today on any vessel.
Partially enclosed lifeboats feature openings along the hull sides, enabling rapid boarding and enhancing emergency evacuation efficiency. These openings are typically covered by a canopy, providing a degree of protection.
Fully enclosed lifeboats provide comprehensive protection for crew members, offering defense against wind, rain, and waves. Equipped with a self-righting mechanism, they resist capsizing during launching. This lifeboat type is widely used on modern passenger and cargo ships, representing the most common configuration in maritime survival standards.
The free-fall lifeboat is specifically designed to fall straight into the water from a height at the stern, and uses gravity to shoot it down fast. It is self-floating and aerodynamically shaped, thereby stabilizing at water contact, hence suitable for large tankers or vessels engaged in risky operations.
Rescue boats are primarily used to rescue personnel in distress at sea and are typically categorized into two types: those equipped with inboard engines and those with outboard engines. Most merchant ships, in addition to carrying two lifeboats, must also carry at least one rescue boat to respond to man-overboard situations or maritime accidents.
Suitable for small vessels and lightweight requirements, featuring a compact structure that is easy to carry and deploy quickly. Typically used for auxiliary escape or short-range rescue operations.
This lifeboat is designed for diving support vessels, enabling the safe evacuation of divers and ensuring personnel can be safely withdrawn in the event of an emergency during decompression chamber operations or deep-diving activities.
Specifically designed for oil and chemical transport vessels. It can withstand direct flame exposure for a short period (typically around 8 minutes) while maintaining navigational capability, thereby buying time for crew evacuation.
Lifeboats rely on reliable launching systems, and davits play a critical role in ensuring safe, fast, and controlled deployment. The type of davit also determines which lifeboats can be used.
This davit swings lifeboats outward using gravity and mechanical arms. Its simple, reliable design requires no external power, making it a standard choice for passenger ships and large vessels. The system is relatively large and heavy, but it offers dependable operation in most conditions.
Operated hydraulically, this davit rotates a single arm to launch rescue boats or life rafts. Its compact design is efficient and ideal for smaller boats, though it requires regular hydraulic maintenance. It is commonly used on platform supply vessels and offshore ships.
A ramp-type system specifically for free-fall lifeboats, allowing rapid evacuation without crew assistance. While it provides excellent speed and safety for high-risk vessels, it requires stern space and is not suitable for all ship layouts. It is typically installed on oil tankers and chemical carriers.
Designed for offshore platforms, this fixed-arm davit launches and recovers rescue boats with fast winch operation and constant-tension functionality. It is limited to smaller rescue boats but ensures quick and reliable deployment on FPSOs and other offshore installations.
Through hydraulic cylinders, this davit rolls boats out of enclosed stowage, saving space and protecting boats while stowed. It is more expensive and complicated, but it is best for offshore platforms and ships that have enclosed stowage for boats.
Hydraulic telescopic davit features extendable arms that travel into different positions for boat recovery and launch. It saves deck space by telescopic arrangement and is deployable in limited spaces, while hydraulic power offers smooth, controlled motion. The system is subject to routine maintenance due to sliding and hydraulic components, but it is very efficient and dependable, suitable for offshore structures, supply boats, and ships with multiple or limited boat stations.
Driven by hydraulic cylinders and pumps, they provide smooth, precise control even with heavy loads. The systems are versatile and can be installed in a wide variety of vessel designs, so they are common on offshore support vessels, research vessels, and larger cargo ships. Hydraulic complexity does mean there is maintenance to be done, but the flexibility they offer is unbeatable.
To ensure survival and navigation capabilities during emergencies, lifeboats must be equipped with a series of essential devices. This equipment not only meets international regulatory requirements but is also crucial for maintaining basic living conditions and safe navigation for crew and passengers while awaiting rescue.
The survival supplies equipped in lifeboats are primarily used to maintain the life safety and basic health of occupants after separation from the mother ship.
Typically, these include: emergency survival manuals, drinking water and rations, first-aid kits, seasickness medication and vomit bags, waterproof flashlights with spare batteries, survival signal charts, and radar reflectors.
Additionally, tools such as axes, knives, boat hooks, and manual bilge pumps are provided to address water ingress or perform emergency operations when necessary.
After detaching from the mother ship, lifeboats must possess basic navigational capabilities and positioning functions. Common navigation equipment includes buoyancy oars, compasses, sea anchors, or drag devices. While free-fall lifeboats typically do not use oars, other types are equipped with them to ensure directional stability and maintain balance in wind and waves.
When configuring lifeboats for ships or platforms, you must comply with regulatory requirements while ensuring the equipment is truly reliable. The following aspects require careful consideration during your procurement.
You must ensure and provide documentation that the lifeboats comply with relevant standards, such as those of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and SOLAS, and that they can successfully pass classification society inspections. This is the least any ship should do before embarking.
In harsh maritime environments, lifeboats must withstand wind, waves, corrosion, and impact. You need to ensure the materials are sufficiently robust and the structure is designed to resist collisions, fire, and capsizing—guaranteeing reliability when it truly matters.
When selecting suppliers, also consider whether their production processes meet global standards. Manufacturers certified under systems like ISO 9001 typically ensure consistent and reliable product quality, giving you greater peace of mind.
Different vessel types and operating conditions often necessitate distinct lifeboat requirements. You may need specific capacity, specially designed davits, or even fire-resistant lifeboats. Manufacturers offering customized solutions ensure your vessel and lifesaving systems achieve optimal compatibility.
When making your final decision, you’ll also consider market reputation and past case studies. Products that have been in long-term use and proven by the industry can help you minimize risks in practical applications, avoiding extra costs and complications.
Lifeboats are critical safety equipment for vessels. When selecting one, you need it to meet standards while reliably handling complex sea conditions. Our products are engineered precisely for these demands, combining safety and practicality to meet the requirements of diverse vessels and projects. If you’re seeking the right lifeboat solution, feel free to contact us anytime.
