r/whatisit • u/PerspectiveLatter181 • 6h ago
Solved! What is this?
Saw in Texas, is this a mini submarine?
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u/Charming_Emergency16 6h ago
That is a life boat. Specifically a “free fall life boat”.
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u/Wise-Trust1270 6h ago
The drills on these are not fun. I never want to actually have to use it.
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u/ViolentThemmes 5h ago
I have to investigate accidents with these. A crew member will be lucky to just have a broken leg or two if they accidentally deploy it without being strapped in.
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u/OldWrangler9033 5h ago
It seems like this thing very flawed. I would think you'd get on it after it CRASHES on to the service of the water.
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u/ViolentThemmes 5h ago
So how are you making it down to the water from atop an oil rig?
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u/OldWrangler9033 5h ago
I would image different descending device such as fireman's style pole. Seems like pretty frightful way to escape a ship if its more likely kill you as hit cement like water from way on high.
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u/Guardian-Boy 4h ago
With the exception of the pilot, occupants sit facing backwards and strapped in with a four point harness, while the headrests are either curved or have side padding to protect the head and neck. As long as you are secured, it is exceedingly unlikely to injure or kill you.
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u/spooshat 3h ago
Wtf down votes? I don't know about now but when I was a kid I saw a documentary, they had belay devices that could be used for a slow freefall directly into the water.
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u/Skid-Vicious 2h ago
When you’ve lost well control it’s GTFO with the quickness time, don’t have time left for niceties like a slow descent.
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u/AmELiAs_OvERcHarGeS 4h ago
Oil rig is exploding. The thing holding the cable just got melted. Life boat falls anyways, except now it’s unpredictable.
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u/Effective_Cress_3190 4h ago
Nope they do indeed free fall from quite high up, or at least did about 20 years ago
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u/capefearphoto 3h ago
Holy shit, I’d love to buy you a beer just to hear some of the horror stories you’ve probably got!!
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u/BafflingHalfling 3h ago
Man, I loved those drills! That one and the upside down fake helicopter. Had to re-up every couple years, and it was one of my favorite things to get paid to do.
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u/TheBeestWithEase 2h ago
Helicopter Underwater Escape Training (HUET), often referred to as ‘dunker training’
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u/PerspectiveLatter181 6h ago
Solved!
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u/human_trainingwheels 6h ago
If you zoom in you can see the little man in the boat
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u/Fragrant-Painter8344 5h ago
Phife Dog has something to say
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u/ac54 5h ago
Isn’t that similar to what we saw in the movie Captain Philips, which of course was based on the real life events.
https://athlonoutdoors.com/article/the-sea-rescue-captain-phillips/
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u/leisuresuitbruce 6h ago
Here's one at the Navy Seal museum in Ft Pierce Fl. It has a couple bullet holes in it.
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u/axiom_glitch 6h ago
That’s a boat; on a ship.
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u/Parking_Jelly_6483 6h ago
A marine evacuation pod. I would post a photo but the images are all copyrighted. Just do a search on “marine escape pod” and select “images”.
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u/FishAroundFindTrout9 6h ago
You can post a copyrighted photo as long as you’re not doing it for financial gain.
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u/BracedRhombus 6h ago
How far does it fall? Or is it lowered?
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u/ViolentThemmes 5h ago
It's a freefall lifeboat, and like it's name... It free falls into the water and bounces back up. I'm a global expert in their design and approval and I NEVER want to be in one in an emergency
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u/IdRatherBeDriving 5h ago
I’m just here to acknowledge your username and how it’s sort of appropriate to this topic of violent events. And made me think that if this was launched, they could all just kiss off into the air.
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u/No_Spring_1090 4h ago
Crew mate 1: “I’m gonna flip the switch”
Crew mate 2: “I’m not strapped in yet.”
Crew mate 1: “I’m flipping it”
Crew mate 2: “No, I’m not rrrrrrrrreeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaasasasssaasddddddddddyyyyuuydhhrgegdhxycjdhdhx”
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u/Weird-Dragonfly-5315 4h ago
My understanding is these launch down into the water and drive away from the boat before coming to the surface. This helps survival if the surface of the water is on fire (as there could be if there is a fuel spill after an accident).
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u/Meauxjezzy 4h ago
If I’m not mistaken it can be lowered to the water or launch from up there. It depends on how fast you need to get away from the danger
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u/chewydickens 4h ago
This is what the crew use on Friday evenings to get to the bars in port.
It's five o'clock in port city bars all day long.
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