LAUNCHING THE FREE FALL LIFE BOAT

[@tonyshield5368]

I've drilled in davit lifeboats, always wanted to do a free-fall - but this was great to watch. Thanks to Captain, you and the crew for bringing it to us.

[@penguin44ca]

Better than dead

[@bakerbill4274]

@@penguin44ca that drop has injured or killed many

[@jeffjohnsisland5551]

My understanding is lifeboat drills with davit launched boats are hazardous, to many accidents where the hooks failed. I would rather ride a free fall than a davit launched.

[@bakerbill4274]

@jeffjohnsisland5551 all lifeboat drills are hazardous, but failed hooks are not that big of a problem on davit launched boats. I've witnessed three serious accidents (crushed hand, crushed skull, severed thumb) in 23 years, all happened during initial release or stowage of the boat.

[@larryaelterman199]

I worked on three different Sedco submersibles in the North Atlantic in the early 80's. The davit lifeboats can easily slam into the rig or get swept under the main deck which would be horrifying in a big storm.

[@rupertthedrone4717]

Best video I've seen on launching a freefall lifeboat! I work on ferries and only get to use and see davit launched, I can imagine how annoying it can be to haul a freefall back up! your vids are helping me get through my last trip until Christmas that little bit easier, thank you! Fair winds and following seas

[@jvstcu76]

This was fascinating and informative! The scene of the lifeboat "popping out of the water" after being launched actually surprised me. I never knew how sturdy and well constructed these boats are. It's good to know you have these boats on board. Hopefully, you will never need them. 🙏

[@baska-]

I see a Joe Franta video, I click it. It's simple as that.

[@anthonyroberts7987]

Thanks! What a great video! I've watched crews on the Columbia checking their lifeboats but have yet to see a freefall! Thank you for this awesome glimpse into your life onboard.

[@JoeFranta]

Wow thank you Anthony! Glad to have you aboard for the drop!

[@acidreign8551]

Total crazy pants man!! But, if your out in the middle of the ocean and it all goes really bad and it is hop in, strap up, and take that helly ride and hope you land right when you splash in, it is better than the alternative. No question about that. Thanks for the look into that man. Good vibes and calm seas to you and all your shipmates, be safe out there!! 🙏

[@zlatanmorrison8182]

This was excellent to watch, I did not realize the free fall boats were powered and can get about under their own steam - interesting stuff.

[@Unknown_Ooh]

Huh? What do you think happens after you launch? 😂

[@grav-x1430]

I was lucky enough to witness such a drill aboard a vessel my dad captained at that time, was super bummed that i was not allowed to occupie a seat. I was to young and thus not tall enough being a higher risk for potential injury. Was super cool to witness though :D Great video again Joe!

[@petermasters9460]

Crikey... that was really interesting. Thank you Joe and best wishes from the UK.

[@mic3643]

Wow! Thanks for sharing! I always wondered how those would launch. Glad everything checked out and went well.

[@mwarnas]

I wonder if people will check out after that fade to black at 1:16 because that feels like the end of it. Glad I saw this, always wanted to know the full procedure including the reset. Seeing it go upside down was scary! Thanks, Joe!

[@lukeklammer9438]

Great video and a perspective most would never see. Keep up the awesome content.

[@GrumpyForester]

Thank you for another excellent video. With all those different angles of the Free Falling Life Boat hitting the water, that looked it would be an interesting adventure to ride...

[@a-fl-man640]

now that's pretty cool. nice views of the operation. a slick little machine if you have a bad situation.

[@bennetts-revenge_2]

Wow that was fascinating! My heart was in my throat when the boat went down! Thank you for sharing!

[@martinmoessmer9527]

Thanks for another brilliant production/ presentation. Really enjoy watching Joe. Stay upright.

[@jeffjohnsisland5551]

Great video, always like watching free fall launches. The shot looking forward from inside the lifeboat was great. Thanks for posting the video. I wish you had vid of the people inside during the launch, usually peoples reactions are nice to watch.

[@andrewlangridge8619]

Great stuff as always Joe it brings back happy memories of many davit and lifeboat drills in my time as a deckhand, thanks for putting it out

[@stevewilson9638]

Great Job Joe!! I spent several years on the Sea! This takes me back!

[@alannewman85]

Nicely done. Glad to see you’ve clearly thought about the load distribution when launching.

[@xraincityguyx]

That was fun!! Love your channel and commentary!!😀

[@Malongo10]

Another interesting video. I watch scores of KZbin channels, and you have the best broadcast voice of all-by far. In addition, your commentary is simple and to the point, but still has emotional weight. Keep it up.

[@boe4448]

Thanks Joe, That was cool! I wonder how much G force is felt on that ride? Boe

[@Grumpyallthetime123]

Great video, great production value

[@Nightstick]

Nice job capturing the launch from every angle!

[@philipgrapatin1406]

Joe your videos are AWESOME!!!! I always wondered what life was like on a ship. I'm impressed with everyone's manners and professionalism. Thank you for sharing!!

[@flatbedtruckingsamrides.9355]

As a tumble through the sky Pitts Pilot, that green boat launch tumble was epic and would have loved to have riden in it!

[@craigpickthorne3508]

Great stuff Joe!

[@JoeFranta]

Thank you so much Craig!

[@314Thethirdeye08]

Love these videos… could watch so many more!

[@rockcityprepper9134]

Dig it. I worked in Wilmington. Live in Maryland. Eastern shore. Great content. Dig it.

[@resinlungz420]

You're videos help alot with me still thinking about becoming a merchant marine. Thank you Joe!

[@EvoOnairam]

😇Hi, thank you for sharing your video. I'm glad to be here. Hoping to watch more videos from you, keep on sharing and always have a great day ! - greetings from our family Kapiso mo Vlog 6:13

[@Shipspotting_Vietnam]

it is great if we can see inside the lifeboat when it falls down! Great video, Joe!

[@khulesibambo]

Thank you Joe Fronta your videos are helpful and exciting, I really love your channel.

[@wuhan827]

Really love doing these kinds of drills, as a 3rd Engineer i always check weekly together with the 3rd mate both lifeboat and rescue boat, i've only ridden it on freefall during on shore training, onboard ships we usually just lower it with the lifeboat davit. Would love to try it one day.

[@ErikO2409]

That video of the life boat doing a front flip is actually insane!!!

[@me-un4jl]

Nice video! Subscribed. I'm sure you get it a lot, but there are some heavy Jake Sully / Avatar vibes in your narration. haha Love it!

[@tomwilliams8675]

Thanks Joe, you answered all my questions about how they put it back on board. The old girl sure could have used a good wax and polish job before putting her away😁

[@bakerbill4274]

I think you just made every Mariner spit beer out his nose with that comment🤣🤣🤣

[@tomwilliams8675]

@@bakerbill4274 It was meant to 🤣👍

[@truckermre]

Over 100k!!! You’re killing it dude!!! Well deserved!!

[@richardholland8612]

Great info! Keep up the good work!.

[@bruschi8148]

Thats was great!! Thanks Joe

[@valentino698]

Hi Joe! Very good job, thank you for all of your videos. I subscribed and turn on the notification to be always in update with your contents. I will follow a course in Genoa, Italy, provided by the italian merchant navy academy, to become deck officer. I've always wanted to work into a ship! But I have to improve my english and other skills. Have a nice day 😊

[@HB-C_U_L8R]

I did this during offshore training at the Johnson Space Center in Houston. They had one of these lifeboats on a free fall davit that they loaded my entire class in to and dropped about 30ft (9m) in a big water tank. Honestly the closest that I can come to describing it as like a roller coaster with a hard landing.

[@justmylife4421]

I would love to try that. Heck that’s be a cool boat to own.

[@LuciferRatzinger187]

💯💪Let's Go Joe!

[@opus2006]

Another great video, and hope you never have to take a seat in it for all the wrong reasons. Is it an annual check? Wouldn't like to leave the motor untested for that long. Happy sailing!

[@u4ia420]

Appreciate the fantastic content... Truly interesting.

[@dannycrooks8462]

Brilliant another video

[@mikeyo4406]

Nicely done! Great editing 🎉 u deserve more views! Keep at it

[@miketarbox1190]

Love the fact that the Skipper pulled the plunger. Lead from the front!

[@cammy2100]

Great video Joe. Times have certainly changed lol

[@jf5336]

That was really cool to watch. Thanks for the explanation, it was very helpful.

[@jeffvandenberg8422]

Love these videos ❤. Be safe. Stay well.

[@DconBlueZ]

Thanks for the video, always enjoy watching!

[@timvalentine7196]

This was a great video iv always wondered about those orange boats and why they point strait down.. now I know! Keep the vids coming brother

[@markjaynes7151]

Thanks!

[@JoeFranta]

Thank you Mark!

[@uTube486]

Just too cool...too cool. Also cool to see a large vessel with a USA home port.

[@delawaresurf5422]

Now that’s one cool fire and lifeboat drill. We only had David lifeboats in my time 40 yrs ago

[@SimplyDigitalMedia]

Great video, thanks for sharing!

[@Willthethrill478]

Joe, exceptional editing. That’s why your vids are a cut above others.

[@h-self3584]

dear Joe, congratulations for 100.000 subscribers 😊 greetings from Germany.

[@markjlewis]

Thanks

[@JoeFranta]

Thanks so much Mark!

[@kathybrandt6060]

When you launch the lifeboat to the people on the boat face the back of the boat or do they face forward?

[@DougGibson-f9n]

Great stuff. You are a classy guy.

[@deanrotering879]

That was awesome! But I don’t want to do it 😅.

[@JoeFranta]

Thanks as always Dean! Definitely one of the cooler things I've got to film.

[@TimeFlys000]

Great Show!🚢⚓️

[@tommyteesdale1854]

Cool Joe thanks for making this video it’s awesome to see 👊👍

[@rlic9206]

Nicely done videos. Congratulations!

[@justinaubin5174]

As a mariner making the switch from small vessels to Blue water large vessels I would love to see a video on your packing list and recommendations for packing on your rotations. Thank you!

[@JoeFranta]

I will have a packing video out eventually!

[@slgordon3]

This was interesting and informative, thanks for the video!

[@mikecoston7670]

gotta love that lifeboat ride.

[@joergengeerds360]

Would have loved to see more of the boat interior, how the crew fits in there, how the passengers are strapped in, how the impact looks and feels from the inside etc etc

[@lethiapage4767]

The boat tour is in another video. I think part 1 of this video.

[@Richard-om7vd]

Excellent as always.

[@catwood]

Fun video

[@sergioviatsky9483]

Very nice video! You know how to do it in an interesting way and much better than others. Thanks bro!

[@pre10801]

Well done AB!

[@nancyrautmann1636]

That was cool Joe!!! Thank you

[@HandyMan657]

That looked like a blast, hopefully, you never need to use one. Fair winds

[@Wayne-gb5pu]

Jacob's Ladder...Mr.Franta...LOL

[@stevenwilson7853]

That’s was a very cool video ty to you and the crew

[@timdavid3574]

Great video! How do they determine who gets to go for the ride?

[@petesheppard1709]

What a ride!! On one hand, it looks really dangerous to ride the lifeboat into the water, but obviously it's safe when done properly. Upon reflection, it's probably safer than the traditional lowering from davits--you get into the water and away from a sinking, possibly capsizing ship much faster.

[@dmitripogosian5084]

But injuries do happen, it is pretty violent exercise

[@petesheppard1709]

@@dmitripogosian5084 Yes, I can imagine, especially if people aren't properly strapped in

[@kweb406]

Great video Joe this video should get a million views

[@lynnedouglas4065]

Fantastic vlog🙃

[@rafaelhubbard66]

That was epic, great storytelling man

[@ashhellwig]

That looked fun as hell but I can imagine it would be terrifying in choppy seas

[@ShawnDunca-bc2ru]

Totally awesome

[@rogerblackwood8815]

Have these lifeboats ever been used in anger? Anyone got stats on how many launches for real, would be interesting to know. Another question that comes to my curious mind is, would a ship that size ever sink fast enough to make that system really necessary? How long does it take to launch a standard lifeboat as opposed to this one? I have often looked at the lifeboats on the ferries across the channel etc and wondered how long it would take to launch them, I am thinking from the moment the abandon ship order is given to being in the water in the lifeboat! Great video as usual Joe, have you got another Christmas special lined up this year? The last one with footage from your youth etc was one of the best videos I saw all year👍 it's a little early, but Merry Christmas and a happy, safe new year to you and all onboard this trip🥂🥂🥂🥂

[@dmitripogosian5084]

It is not (only) a question, it is that standard boats are sometimes impossible to launch with a heel and waves. In bad weather it is a frequent record of disasters that boats from one side could not have been launched

[@rogerblackwood8815]

@@dmitripogosian5084 Thanks for that, now you say it it makes perfect sense👍👍 I've only got experience of small boats, up to 40 feet and they do pitch and roll a lot!

[@okokea4592]

It happens that ships come in heavy seas due to engine failure parallel to the waves. Than the ship starts rolling heavily. Launching a traditional lifeboat won't be possible under these conditions. To get an idea of the rolling, you can find videos from a cruise ship in the western mediterranean sea during stormy conditions. Luckily they suceeded to restart the engines after some hours.

[@jimward7881]

Great video

[@melissalambert7615]

Wondering who "gets to" do the ride. I'm not a rollercoaster fan so not sure I'd volunteer. Would be neat if locals knew you were doing this and could watch. I know, not a carnival ride but I'd like to see it live.

[@user-ot8gf5ns8z]

Is this filmed in Port of Tampa. The city skyline looked familiar. I ask because I am a bait shrimper on the west coast of Florida north of Tampa Bay and during the winter we sometimes work in the bay.

[@jefferyholland]

Would be a helluva ride. One I'm sure that most folks would never want to go on.

[@brbertram]

These videos are so well edited!

[@jerplane400]

Awesome video!!!!

[@gus473]

⚓ Sal M. sent me! Great video! 😎✌️

[@JoeFranta]

Sal is the best! Welcome aboard!

[@sherryvanrijn5453]

That was so cool! Thank you!

[@Rob_S_Z06]

Interesting video. This was shot at my terminal in Tampa, FL. 😂

[@freeskier175]

Reminds me of the movie spies like us.

[@mayhewfisher62]

great opening!!

[@snowpatrol685]

that is soooo cool !! great video !!