Addressing safety issues of lifeboat hooks It is well known that the fear of lifeboat hook failure can deter crew from performing necessary drills. There are also concerns that the complicated design of conventional hooks can make release and re-hooking difficult and hazardous in emergency situations. Conventional Hook Below we have highlighted some of the most important differences between conventional hooks and the VIKING Nadiro Drop-In-Ball™ with a ball shaped design that makes it more stable and easier to re-hook, even in harsh weather conditions. Drop-In-Ball™ Hook 24/7 opening force from gravity All conventional hooks use force of gravity for opening, which is present 24/7 and hence it is potentially difficult to control the hook release. Complex re-hooking procedure The complicated, multicomponent design of conventional hooks requiring more handling by crew makes release and rehooking slow, complex and hazardous. Fluctuating long term costs 24/7 self-locking design Drop-In-Ball™ uses two separate forces for opening and closing the hook. The force of gravity keeps the hook closed and it can only be opened by controllable hydraulic force, reducing the threat of accidental release. Simple release and re-hooking The unique, intuitive ball-shaped design of Drop-In-Ball™ enables easy and quick resetting with one hand. It is far safer and easier for a single person to re-hook even in harsh conditions. Fixed costs and maintenance savings Most conventional hooks demand extensive annual maintenance and replacement after 5 years for rescue/fast rescue boats, making them very expensive in long run. With Drop-In-Ball™ you make a one-time investment to purchase the hook, then there are no major maintenance or replacement costs beyond regular annual and five-yearly service checks. And with no flex cables required and few components, you’ll save plenty on replacement and maintenance costs. 3
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