Chapter 4 · Lesson 2Onboard activity · about 6 minutes
Cranes and davits: slow is smooth
Understand your place in a lift, stay clear of suspended loads and stop early when the rig or communication is not right.
Video coming soon
Cranes and davits: slow is smooth
In the video
- A powered-off walk-through: controls, roles and the exclusion area
- What happens when communication is lost: stop
From the captain
Before you start
Guests rarely complain because the jet ski took another two minutes to launch. They may complain if it arrives against the paintwork like a wrecking ball.
By the end of this lesson
Identify roles, exclusion controls and stop triggers in a planned lift.
See it
See it for yourself
One lift, one clear voice
Raise, move outboard, lower: watch who directs, where nobody stands and who may stop it.
4/4Lower. Anyone may call stop if they see danger. Unexpected sound, movement, damage, poor visibility or lost communication means stop and refer upward.
Concept only — not a rigging arrangement · not to scale · your vessel's lifting procedure and training govern
What to look for
Plan the whole movement
The lift plan includes the load, approved attachment, travel path, landing area and people controlling it. A clear first metre does not establish a clear lift.
One director, a shared stop
Use the designated signaller and vessel signals. A danger warning can come from anyone. Lost sight, communication or an unexpected movement needs the prescribed stop and reassessment.
The lesson
The lesson
- 01
You are trained on this installation
Cranes, davits, controls, limits and emergency actions vary. Only trained and authorised crew operate them. Before the lift, confirm the plan, approved lifting arrangement, equipment status and each person's role with the officer in charge.
- 02
One lift, one clear voice
Establish the exclusion area and keep guests and unnecessary crew out. Use the vessel's agreed signals. One designated person directs the operator, while anyone may call stop if they see danger. Never stand beneath a suspended load or inside a trap zone.
- 03
Inspect, control, stop
Complete the prescribed pre-use checks on the crane, lifting accessories and load attachment. Keep the load controlled as directed. Unexpected sound, movement, damage, poor visibility or lost communication means stop and refer upward.
Where it goes wrong
A launch is rushed because guests are waiting. A connection is not checked, the load moves unexpectedly and the operator continues because nobody wants to look slow. The load reaches the hull before the job is stopped.
Your call
What would you do?
Pick one, then read the feedback on all three.
The situation
The load is clear of its cradle, but a guest enters the planned landing area.
Take it aboard
Read a lift without lifting
Do this during your induction or first weeks, with the person responsible for your work.
Walk-through aboard
At an isolated installation, have the authorised operator explain a normal planned movement.
- 01Identify operator, signaller and officer in charge.
- 02Trace the travel and landing areas from outside the hazard area.
- 03Locate controls and emergency stop without operating them.
- 04Rehearse the lost-communication response.
What a useful result looks like
- The full route and landing are considered.
- You stay out of load and trap zones.
- Only authorised crew establish or change the rig.
Stop: No suspended-load or live-control exercise. Do not choose accessories, lifting points or load limits from this course.
Deckhand Foundation · Job card
Before assisting a lift
From the lesson: Cranes and davits: slow is smooth
- Plan and role briefing complete.
- Approved load and rig confirmed by responsible crew.
- Equipment checks completed under procedure.
- Travel and landing areas controlled.
- Signaller and communication agreed.
- Stop and emergency actions known.
Role / person directing
Travel or landing hazard
Stop method
Your vessel's procedures and senior crew come first. Nothing on this card is stored.
Quick check
Four decisions, then move on
This check confirms the principle. Your vessel's own induction still comes first.