Method and apparatus for a lifeboat safety strop

A safety strop that prevents accidental freefall of a lifeboat, comprised of a connecting line, said connecting line having an upper end and a lower end, said upper end attached to a means for lowering a launch pendant and a lifeboat having an on load release mechanism, said launch pendant having a first end attached to said lowering means near said upper end of said connecting line, and a second end releasably connected to said on load release mechanism of said lifeboat, and said lower end of said connecting line connected to a shackle;

• said on load release mechanism further comprising a hook side plate having an upper portion and a lower portion whereby said lower portion is attached to said lifeboat, a lift hook having a lift hook arm is pivotally connected to said upper portion, said lift hook having a biased secured position and a released position, so that said lift hook arm extends in a nearly horizontal direction when in its secured position to slidably engage said second end of said launch pendant, said lift hook arm activatable to pivot into said released position, to release or to prevent the release of said launch pendant, and a guard plate attached to said hook side plate so that said guard plate can be positioned to overlap and protect said lift hook;
• said shackle releasably connected to a hang off lug assembly by a release pin, said release pin attached to said shackle by a safety wire, and said lug assembly fixedly attached to said on load release means;
• and wherein said connecting line has a length that is longer than the length of said launch pendant so that no load is carried by said connecting line unless said second end of said launch pendant is released from said on load release mechanism.

A safety strop that prevents accidental freefall of a lifeboat, comprised of a connecting line, said connecting line having an upper end and a lower end, said upper end attached to a means for lowering a launch pendant and a lifeboat having an on load release mechanism, said launch pendant having a first end attached to said lowering means near said upper end of said connecting line, and a second end releasably connected to said on load release mechanism of said lifeboat, and said lower end of said connecting line connected to a pelican hook said on load release mechanism further comprising a hook side plate having an upper portion and a lower portion whereby said lower portion is attached to said lifeboat, a lift hook having a lift hook arm is pivotally connected to said upper portion, said lift hook having a biased secured position and a released position, so that said lift hook arm extends in a nearly horizontal direction when in its secured position to slidably engage said second end of said launch pendant, said lift hook arm activatable to pivot into said released position, to release or to prevent the release of said launch pendant, and a guard plate attached to said hook side plate so that said guard plate can be positioned to overlap and protect said lift hook;

• said pelican hook releasably connected to a hang off lug assembly by a securing ring slidably and pivotally attached to said pelican hook, and said lug assembly fixedly attached to said on load release mechanism;
• and wherein said connecting line has a length that is longer than the length of said launch pendant so that no load is carried by said connecting line unless said second end of said launch pendant is released from said on load release mechanism.