Exam Question

(b) Lowering and Raising of Lifeboat with Safety Features
Lowering a Lifeboat
The lowering process relies on gravity. First, the gripes and safety pins are released. The winch's hand brake is lifted, allowing the lifeboat and its cradle to roll down the inclined trackways. The boat is lowered until it reaches the embarkation deck level, where passengers can board. The lowering is then continued, with the weight of the boat transferred to the wire falls, until it is safely in the water. The descent rate is controlled by two main safety features:
Centrifugal Brake: This governs the maximum speed of descent to a safe limit, typically around 36 meters per minute . This feature works automatically, ensuring the boat doesn't free-fall.