How to Choose the Right Telescopic Davit for Your Vessel or Offshore Project

Selecting the appropriate telescopic davit for your vessel or offshore project requires evaluating multiple technical factors against your specific operational requirements. The decision directly impacts safety compliance, operational efficiency, and long-term asset value. A well-chosen davit system enables decades of reliable launching capability while protecting crew and passengers during maritime emergencies.

This comprehensive guide provides a practical approach to davit selection tailored to your unique application, helping you navigate the complex decision-making process with clarity and confidence.

Key Takeaways

• Match your vessel type and lifeboat configuration with appropriate davit specifications

• Calculate your maximum working load requirement based on lifeboat weight and passenger capacity

• Measure your physical space requirements including outreach distance and hoisting height

• Assess your power supply availability and backup system capabilities

• Evaluate your operational environment and maintenance infrastructure

• Verify structural compatibility with your vessel's deck and existing systems

• Compare qualified manufacturers and their technical support capabilities

Understanding Telescopic Davit Systems

A telescopic davit uses hydraulic power to extend and retract boom sections, positioning lifeboats from storage to embarkation points while maintaining deck clearance. Unlike fixed-arm systems, telescopic davits telescope inward when not in use, reducing deck footprint—a critical advantage for passenger vessels.

The system operates through electric motors driving hydraulic pumps, with accumulator systems providing backup power for emergency deployment when main electrical power is unavailable. This design is ideal when space optimization is critical and you require hydraulic system reliability with simplified maintenance.

Steps to Choose the Right Telescopic Davit

Step 1: Match Your Vessel Type and Lifeboat Configuration

For cruise ships and passenger vessels, maximizing deck clearance is the primary consideration because promenade decks serve dual purposes—guest recreation and emergency assembly. For cargo vessels and offshore platforms, focus shifts to crew safety functionality and environmental durability in harsh conditions.

Confirm your lifeboat model—totally enclosed lifeboats work seamlessly with telescopic davits, while free-fall designs may require specialized adaptations. Verify that your selected davit has been certified for use with your specific lifeboat type and capacity class.

Step 2: Calculate Your Maximum Working Load Requirement

Determine total weight: lifeboat unladen weight plus occupants at the SOLAS standard of 82.5 kilograms per person. Add all mandatory safety equipment and provisions, then add a 10-15% safety margin.

Hydraulic telescopic davits often have a maximum working load of 70kN to 120kN. Select a davit exceeding your requirement by at least 15%—never choose one rated exactly at your maximum load.

Step 3: Measure Your Physical Space Requirements

Identify your davit mounting location and measure the required outreach distance from the mounting point to the embarkation position, accounting for hull profile and obstacles. Calculate hoisting height from water level to stowed position.

Request detailed CAD drawings from manufacturers to confirm your davit's extended boom clears all obstacles and fits within your deck layout.

Step 4: Assess Your Power Supply and Backup Systems

Evaluate your vessel's electrical capacity for davit motor operation, confirming your system reliably supplies the required power without compromising other critical systems.

Verify that your accumulator system capacity enables complete launching sequences from stored power alone. This capability is essential for SOLAS compliance and emergency operations.

Step 5: Evaluate Your Operational Environment and Maintenance Infrastructure

Specify your operational environment—polar regions, tropical areas, high-salinity coastal waters, or extreme weather conditions. This determines required material specifications, protective coatings, and maintenance intervals.

Confirm your maintenance infrastructure supports required schedules: hydraulic oil sampling every six months, annual oil changes, wire rope inspections, and statutory load testing. Consider lifecycle costs including spare parts availability and manufacturer support.

Step 6: Verify Structural Compatibility with Your Vessel

Engage naval architects to confirm your deck structure can withstand the torsional stresses and dynamic loads your davit will generate during deployment and recovery.

Coordinate with existing vessel systems to ensure electrical connections and hydraulic lines can be installed without interference. Verify if the davit control systems can integrate with bridge monitoring and emergency protocols.

Step 7: Compare Qualified Manufacturers and Finalize Your Selection

Request detailed technical specifications from manufacturers holding certifications from major classification societies: CCS, BV, ABS, RINA, IRS, RMRS, NK, and EC.

Evaluate support infrastructure including installation supervision, crew training programs, technical documentation, and after-sales service availability. Select a manufacturer matching your complete requirements and geographic operational profile.

Exploring New Marine's Hydraulic Telescopic Davits

New Marine specializes in hydraulic telescopic davit systems for commercial vessels and offshore applications, certified by major classification societies and proven on cruise ships and cargo vessels worldwide.

We provide hydraulic-powered boom extension with precise load control, accumulator-based backup power enabling emergency deployment, and modular designs. Our davits range from 70kN to 120kN and serve totally enclosed lifeboats across all commercial vessel classes. We offer custom engineering, global service networks, complete installation supervision, comprehensive crew training, and lifetime maintenance support.

Making Your Final Selection

Systematic evaluation of load capacity, vessel type, physical dimensions, power systems, environmental conditions, and manufacturer support ensures optimal davit selection. A well-selected telescopic davit—properly installed and maintained—provides reliable launching capability for decades while protecting lives and ensuring regulatory compliance throughout its operational lifetime.

Ready to find the right telescopic davit for your vessel or project? Contact New Marine today to discuss your specific requirements with our davit selection specialists. Our team will guide you through the complete selection process and provide customized solutions precisely tailored to your exact needs.