Lifeboats:

1. Function: Lifeboats are used for evacuating a vessel in emergencies such as sinking or fire. They provide a safe means of escape and protection until rescue.
2. Types:
   • Open Lifeboats: Typically used for short-term protection and easy to deploy but offer limited protection from the elements.
   • Enclosed Lifeboats: Fully enclosed with better protection from weather and sea conditions, and often equipped with survival supplies and communications equipment.
3. Features: Equipped with essentials like oars, life jackets, emergency rations, and communication devices. They are designed to be self-righting and unsinkable.

Davits:

1. Function: Davits are mechanical devices used to lower and raise lifeboats from the ship to the water and vice versa. They ensure that lifeboats can be deployed quickly and safely during emergencies.
2. Types:
   • Gravity Davits: Utilize the weight of the lifeboat to lower it into the water. Often used for smaller vessels.
   • Hydraulic or Electric Davits: Use hydraulic or electric power to control the lifeboat’s movement, offering easier operation and better control.
3. Features: Equipped with mechanisms to handle the lifeboat’s weight and facilitate smooth lowering and retrieval. Modern systems often include automatic release and retrieval capabilities.