No power on ship

[dblackinsk]

I am sorry if this is in the wrong place but I did not know where to post it. I had a sudden question with the problems with the Carnival Splendor losing all its power. How are the life boats powered on most ships if the ship loses power? Do they have manual lowering or their own generator or battery power to lower them? It seems to me they would take substantial power to lower all those boats. If this is answered already please direct me there as I could not find it. Thanks very much. I am not a new cruiser and this came to mind as I thought about watching them lower the tenders to transport us ashore at many ports.

[kitty9]

Depending on the size of the lifeboats, some are lowered via special generators and some with batteries.

[firefly333]

They have alternate power where they can hand winch them and lower them to the water on Carnival. Im told on NCL gravity is all they need. I guess it varys by cruiseline.

[paul929207]

Lifeboats can be lowered even if the ship has no power

[smeyer418]

The Coast Guard requirement is that the lifeboats must be lowerable without power. Gravity is all they need and a lubricated gears.

[Krazy Kruizers]

They can be lowered by hand -- no problems.

[sail7seas]

At every HAL life boat drill, we hear how life boats can be lowered by just gravity. Power (aside from human muscle) is not needed.