Life-Saving Appliances – Types of Life-Saving Equipment Onboard Ships

Did you know that around 90% of world trade is conducted through maritime transport, according to the International Maritime Organization’s report in 2024? This means a huge scale of maritime activity is going on, and hence, maintaining rigorous safety standards is crucial in our times. When you’re sailing on the vast oceans, how important do you think life-saving equipment is? It’s absolutely vital! These essential tools and devices are designed to protect and save lives in an emergency at sea. Plus, they don’t just help in emergencies but also play a key role in preventing them. 

So, what all types of life-saving equipment do ships usually bear? How are they used, and what kind of maintenance do they need to stay in top working condition? At Aquamaris, pioneers in marine supply and services, we understand the vital role of Marine Life-Saving Equipment in the UAE. In this article, we’ll explore the different types of life-saving equipment onboard ships, explain their purposes, and talk about why keeping them well-maintained is so important. Let’s start!

What Are Life-Saving Equipments – Usage and Purposes?

Life-saving equipment is all the stuff on a ship that’s made to keep people safe in emergencies at sea. This gear is super important for everyone’s safety, whether there’s a shipwreck, a fire, or any other big problem. Here’s what this equipment is mainly for:

• Rescue: Helping people who are in trouble.
• Survival: Giving people what they need to stay alive until help comes.
• Protection: Keeping people safe from the tough conditions at sea.

Types of Essential Life-Saving Equipment Onboard Ships

Remember, ships have a variety of life-saving gear, and each serves a specific purpose. Some common ones include:

• Use life jackets and life buoys!

Have you ever wondered how people stay afloat in the water during an emergency? Life jackets are super-important vests that keep you floating in the water, and everyone on the ship needs one. Lifebuoys, also called life rings, are round flotation devices you can throw to someone in the water to help them stay afloat and avoid drowning.

• Be Ready For Evacuation With Lifeboats and Rescue Boats

Lifeboats are like the ship’s go-to boats for emergencies. They’re small but super tough, designed to handle rough seas and come with survival tools. Rescue boats are even smaller and are mainly used to save people from the water or other boats. Inflatable liferafts are lightweight rafts that you can blow up when needed to give people a safe spot to hang out until help arrives. These liferafts have survival kits as well, and they mostly include food, water, and a mini emergency first aid kit.

• Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRBs)

EPIRBs are like high-tech beacons that send out a distress signal with your ship’s location so rescue teams can find you fast. In case of crisis, you’ve got trouble flares and signals. These are things like bright flares, smoke signals, and shiny mirrors that help you catch the eye of nearby ships or rescue planes.

What are the Emergency Equipment on a Ship?

Apart from life-saving gear, ships are equipped with various emergency equipment to address various situations. Let’s see what they are!

Fire Extinguishers and Firefighting Gear: Onboard, we are equipped with various firefighting tools, including fire hoses, pumps, and extinguishers, which are designed to combat different types of fire effectively.

 First-Aid Kits: Each of these kits comes equipped with various bandages, medications, and other essential medical supplies. They are designed to effectively treat injuries or illnesses until professional medical assistance can be accessed.

Emergency Escape Breathing Devices (EEBDs): In the event of smoke or gas leaks, these devices supply fresh air to aid in the safe evacuation, ensuring you can breathe easily as you exit the area.

Emergency Lighting: Even during a power outage, they make sure that escape routes and exits stay brightly lit for everyone’s safety.

FAQ

1. Why is life-saving equipment important on ships?

The safety of passengers and crew during emergencies such as shipwrecks, fires, or ship abandonments relies heavily on the presence of life-saving equipment. This crucial gear plays a vital role in ensuring the well-being and survival of everyone on board.

2. How often should life-saving equipment be inspected?

Life-saving equipment requires regular check-ups and maintenance to ensure it functions properly in times of need. In addition to mandatory checks, ships must abide by the rules set by safety agencies and manufacturers in the maritime industry to ensure the smooth execution of trade and travel!

3. What should be included in a ship’s first-aid kit?

A ship’s first-aid kit should have bandages, antiseptics, pain relievers, seasickness tablets, and other important medical supplies.

4. What kinds of lifeboats do ships use?

Lifeboats are super important on ships for saving lives in emergencies. There are different types, like open lifeboats, which are basic and made of wood or fibreglass, powered by oars or motors. Then there are closed lifeboats, also called fully enclosed lifeboats, which offer better protection from bad weather and can self-right if they capsize. Free-fall lifeboats are launched from high up, sliding into the water quickly, and they’re enclosed to keep people safe from rough conditions. Lastly, rescue boats are smaller and used to save people who have fallen overboard or are stranded; they’re fast and have the necessary rescue gear.

5. How often do you need a lifeboat inspection?

Lifeboats need to be checked regularly to make sure they’re ready to go in an emergency. Weekly checks involve looking for obvious damage and ensuring the lifeboat and its gear are properly stored. Monthly checks are more detailed, including testing the engine and ensuring all safety equipment, like life jackets, is in good shape. Once a year, professionals do a thorough inspection, testing the lifeboat’s launching systems and other important parts. These regular inspections are super important to keep lifeboats reliable, and safety rules say they have to be done by qualified people and properly documented.

So, what can we conclude? In today’s connected world, the maritime industry is super important for global trade and the economy. Throughout history, oceans have always been key for trading goods and growing economies. Facts, figures, and reports show that the maritime industry is still the backbone of trade now, just like it was in the past. That’s why it’s important to keep everything in top shape and ensure safety and security to help this industry thrive. And how do we do that? Keeping everyone safe on a ship really depends mostly on quality and dependable life-saving equipment. Things like life jackets, lifeboats, distress signals, and first-aid kits are super important in case of emergencies. To ensure peak performance when it counts, we consistently train, upkeep, and scrutinise this equipment.

If you’re in the maritime industry, teaming up with a top-notch Marine Safety Equipment Supplier Iin UAE, like Aquamaris, ensures your ship has the best life-saving gear. Whether you need Inflatable Liferafts Services In UAE or any other life-saving equipment, getting the best equipment and keeping it in good shape is super important for keeping your crew and passengers safe at sea.

By understanding and prioritizing the use and maintenance of life-saving equipment, we can undoubtedly improve safety at sea, making maritime adventures safer and more secure for the present and future generations!