What's Outside My Window

[Firepath]

We have been assigned an obstructed ocean view on the POA. From the images I have found, our obstruction is a boat the appears to be about 1/3 the size of the life boats lined up behind it. It's nice that it is small because we'll be able to see around it, but can anyone tell me what it might be and if anyone is likely to be working on it outside our window?

[ColeThornton]

What cabin number?

[Firepath]

7556

[don't-use-real-name]

That small boat is used for crew maintenance and could be used limitedly in a search and rescue operation.

There are two of these one port and one starboard.

In a tender operation if one of the lifeboats has a mechanical issue the small boat could be used as a tug

to tow the disabled boat back to the ship or to safe port.

 

Our resident Chief Engineer chengkp75 could provide more info - - -

[trivimp]

Awesome!  Thanks for this bit of info. I always wondered what the stubby little lifeboats were for.... 

[chengkp75]

3 hours ago, don't-use-real-name said:

That small boat is used for crew maintenance and could be used limitedly in a search and rescue operation.

There are two of these one port and one starboard.

In a tender operation if one of the lifeboats has a mechanical issue the small boat could be used as a tug

to tow the disabled boat back to the ship or to safe port.

 

Our resident Chief Engineer chengkp75 could provide more info - - -

Those are actually the Fast Rescue Boats, that are really the primary search and rescue boat, and would be used in rough weather over a lifeboat for an overboard situation.  They are inherently dangerous to use at sea (which is why there is discussion in maritime regulatory bodies about discontinuing their requirement), but once launched are a better platform for SAR than a bulky lifeboat that steers like a cinder block.

[Firepath]

10 hours ago, chengkp75 said:

Those are actually the Fast Rescue Boats, that are really the primary search and rescue boat, and would be used in rough weather over a lifeboat for an overboard situation.  They are inherently dangerous to use at sea (which is why there is discussion in maritime regulatory bodies about discontinuing their requirement), but once launched are a better platform for SAR than a bulky lifeboat that steers like a cinder block.

Thank you. It sounds like (hopefully no rescues needed) it will stay outside my window the entire cruise, just blocking a small area. 

[chengkp75]

Typically, the only time it is used is when the crew are exercising the lifeboats (one side of the ship every two weeks), the FRB will be used as the "sheep dog" to herd the ungainly lifeboats around.  So, in one port, it might be missing.