Just saw this on Youtube, company Liftemotion is developing a working holder that will appartently conceal life preservers/rings in a world of increasing aesthethic conscious owners and designers. I remember when, Life raft canisters were being put behind doors in custom made pockets. Now the same idea is being purported for life rings. Interesting. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTM-2wrKEVA&feature=player_embedded
Hi, These "doors" are not what you would normally associate with that word for the most part, they must be float free - The MCA do however make some dubious exemptions. I personally do not see much call for the Life Ring Launcher as shown in the video. Liferings are generally thrown to one person in the water, a human launcher can do this with more accuracy than what seemed to be the norm off the building in the video and much more important is to have that human launcher keep their eye on the person in the water.
Shoot, I could have thrown it further... As to "hiding" safety gear for appearances sake.... I tell my owners, "This is a boat, this stuff is part of a proper boat. One day this equipment may be used to save your life or the lives of your children and grandchildren. It belongs in plain view where everyone will see it and remember to go to it when needed." That usually puts it in a perspective they understand and we don't have any more issues of that kind of foolishness. Life rafts in breakaway float free boxes that can be easily discarded manually I have no issue against so long as they are clearly marked. No reason not to have seating or a counter top there like a little coffee table between 2 deck chairs. Life rings belong in the open and in easy reach. Besides, they can be recessed into the side and dolled up to look pretty. The launcher to me is not a good deal, if it could launch it 100 yards/meters, I'd be interested in having one as an extra. For as far as it launches though a hand throw would place it more accurately.
I totally agree, I mean Who is to say that the device can accurately shoot one at a drowning or helpless body in the water. The human throw is always better. And how many of these preserver holders would that company have to build for one yacht, a larger yacht may have 12 rings all over the exterior of her decks, as an example.
Reinventing the wheel but adding more things to corrode and sieze. These things have been mounted on the bridge wings of merchant ships for years and work very well. It isn't a matter of tossing the ring accurately, it is a matter of instantly putting a flotation device and a marker over the side to provide a reference point, especially for those Sons of Megellan who have not heard of Mr. Williamson. These are mounted on the bridge wings because when the word is passed "man overboard X side" the first thing the lookout or mate does is release the bouy on that side.