The design, fabrication and assembly of the replacement davits will take place in the UK. The contract and project for the new davits is required to accommodate a heavier multi-purpose rescue boat to be used by the Royal Navy.

The combination of new RIBs and davits provides a significant capacity improvement for the Type 23 fleet.

The bespoke design accommodates existing limitations, such as space and weight restrictions, and increases the capability by raising the lifting capacity. The resulting design has been achieved by using higher grade materials and Houlder's experience of designing and supplying davits to navies.

The new davit will have the capacity to take loads up to 3.5 tons and cater for four different RIB sizes. It will be capable of operating in a variety of environments, the most extreme of which will be open ocean conditions at sea state 7 and wind speeds to Beaufort scale force 6.

The davit is a 'C' type arm design with an integral base and cradle. The arm luffing is by way of a hydraulic cylinder powered by a small HPU. The hoisting system incorporates heave compensation up to sea state 7 capability. Power will be supplied by the vessel to run these functions but there will also be an alternative manual means to undertake operations if the main power source fails.

The design ensures that deck modifications are kept to a minimum.

MJ Information No: 21711