Liferaft removal for servicing

[moonshine]

I have to remove from it's cradle a 4 man liferaft weighing 36kg to have it serviced. The boat is afloat, the pontoon finger is somewhat wobbly, and frosty today. Due to the shape of the 'canoe' stern I cannot reach the container from the finger.

My plan is to put 2 ratchet straps around the container. Then a strop between the straps which will be attached to the lower block of the mizzen mast sheet. Take the weight, release the container retaining straps, hoist the container onto the deck of the boat. From there 2 people can 'carry' the container to the pontoon.

All this to avoid dropping the liferaft into the drink !!

Are there flaws in this plan or alternative actions ?

Moonshine

 

[NealB]

Depending on the arrangement of your mizzen (length of the boom, in particular), it might be possible to use the mizzen boom as a derrick (using the halyard winch to lift the load), then lower the raft straight into a trolley.

 

[awol]

That must give you food for thought on how easy it may be to actually deploy the thing if/when you need it.

Why not take your boat to the fuel berth or wherever that gives alongside berthing and probably less distance to haul the thing when it's off.

 

[KenMcCulloch]

If you're worried about slippery frosty surfaces a few buckets of seawater will help.

 

[Doghousekeeper]

All this to avoid dropping the liferaft into the drink !!

Why worry about dropping it in the drink? It's a liferaft - it will float (even in the canister)