LAUNCHING THE FREE FALL LIFE BOAT

Once a year we launch the Free Falling Life Boat. I was lucky enough to be board for it and the captain was excited to film it. We had 4 cameras rolling for this epic event.
JOE FRANTA'S SLOP CHEST (my store): slopchestsailorstore.com/
INSTAGRAM: / franta.joe
MY RV CHANNEL / @joefrantarv
#lifeatsea #lifeboat #epic #merchantmarine

[@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.

[@TravelingWithLex]

Joe, I really love your channel. I like your authentic style, good writing, and compelling sense of storytelling. I've introduced my dad to it. At 96, he's not really much into KZbin, but he was a Merchant Mariner in World War II. Radio operator. Slightly more danger involved. He loves watching your posts - especially the one about Merchant Mariner Academy. Thank you.

[@baska-]

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

[@user-fv5yo5fi5c]

That's incredible footage Joe. Thanks for sharing. I hope you and your crew mates never have to use this life boat except for your testing purposes. Sail safely Joe and crew. Chicago, checking in.

[@johnvsymons]

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. 🙏

[@Harry_Clements]

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

[@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!

[@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? 😂

[@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!!

[@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

[@alannewman85]

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

[@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.

[@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!! 🙏

[@ErikO2409]

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

[@a-fl-man640]

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

[@314Thethirdeye08]

Love these videos… could watch so many more!

[@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.

[@martinmoessmer9527]

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

[@DconBlueZ]

Thanks for the video, always enjoy watching!

[@mic3643]

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

[@xraincityguyx]

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

[@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.

[@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

[@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...

[@stevewilson9638]

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

[@truckermre]

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

[@bennetts-revenge_2]

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

[@Sushi2735]

Not one who’s easily impressed, I am completely awestruck by these lifeboats! It is so wonderful to know you have a chance to safely escape. Obviously not for the faint of heart, I’m sure you don’t have many women and children to freak out!! 😅😅😅😅😅

[@TimeFlys000]

Great Show!🚢⚓️

[@petermasters9460]

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

[@richardholland8612]

Great info! Keep up the good work!.

[@Richard-om7vd]

Excellent as always.

[@Nightstick]

Nice job capturing the launch from every angle!

[@bruschi8148]

Thats was great!! Thanks Joe

[@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.

[@SimplyDigitalMedia]

Great video, thanks for sharing!

[@u4ia420]

Appreciate the fantastic content... Truly interesting.

[@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!

[@rlic9206]

Nicely done videos. Congratulations!

[@jeffvandenberg8422]

Love these videos ❤. Be safe. Stay well.

[@dannycrooks8462]

Brilliant another video

[@lynnedouglas4065]

Fantastic vlog🙃

[@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.

[@user-pp3ui7pt4s]

Great stuff. You are a classy guy.

[@tommyteesdale1854]

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

[@cammy2100]

Great video Joe. Times have certainly changed lol

[@jerplane400]

Awesome video!!!!

[@nancyrautmann1636]

That was cool Joe!!! Thank you

[@elcastorgrande]

Great video.

[@pre10801]

Well done AB!

[@slgordon3]

This was interesting and informative, thanks for the video!

[@Willthethrill478]

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

[@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.

[@jf5336]

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

[@billrockwell6916]

Awesome video

[@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 😊

[@ShawnDunca-bc2ru]

Totally awesome

[@jimward7881]

Great video

[@stevenwilson7853]

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

[@Shipspotting_Vietnam]

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

[@mayhewfisher62]

great opening!!

[@LSavannahPortographyDirectory]

That must feel like a roller coaster ride for only a couple seconds but imagine how much higher to fall into the water if the ship is much much bigger. Come to think of it this is education for any sailor out there that wants to be on a massive vessel and go travel the open seas.

[@sherryvanrijn5453]

That was so cool! Thank you!

[@h-self3584]

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

[@catwood]

Fun video

[@mikeyo4406]

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

[@craigpickthorne3508]

Great stuff Joe!

[@JoeFranta]

Thank you so much Craig!

[@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

[@braddobson2060]

Very good

[@HandyMan657]

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

[@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!

[@snowpatrol685]

that is soooo cool !! great video !!

[@bretts7694]

That was awesome!

[@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!

[@rafaelhubbard66]

That was epic, great storytelling man

[@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 🤣👍

[@brbertram]

These videos are so well edited!

[@delawaresurf5422]

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

[@alanbierhoff6831]

That was too cool!

[@mikecoston7670]

gotta love that lifeboat ride.

[@uTube486]

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

[@wirecutter59]

I'm impressed.

[@sergioviatsky9483]

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

[@dianedenham5259]

I'm just an old lady but I watched this because I've seen the Captain Phillips movie starring Tom Hanks. (He is attacked by pirates, they take him hostage, they try to escape authorities in one of this life boats.)

[@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!

[@miketarbox1190]

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

[@timdavid3574]

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

[@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!

[@Wayne-gb5pu]

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

[@sneaks01]

Awesome video man!! 😊

[@kweb406]

Great video Joe this video should get a million views

[@danielnewman3210]

That was cool!

[@jefferyholland]

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

[@felipedelfina4279]

Seus vídeos são muito bons parabéns...

[@gus473]

⚓ Sal M. sent me! Great video! 😎✌️

[@JoeFranta]

Sal is the best! Welcome aboard!

[@defel1]

That was fun. Thanks.

[@Theiliteritesbian]

Like and subscribed for sure

[@Daniel-uj1nu]

This was soon cool!

[@robsoto6340]

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