Foredeck cables and rails(?) - but for what purpose?

[Little h]

Foredeck/Forecastle and Sea Wolf missile deck; cables - Type 22 - Batch 3, Cornwall Class Frigates


Batch 1 Broadsword Class
Batch 2 Boxer Class


Further observations made from photographs show the cables were also installed on (at least some of) the Batch 3 group of this class of frigate.

HMS_Cornwall_MOD_45150728.jpg

Cornwall (F99)


Similar installation also visible in an aerial photo of Cumberland (F85)

Next post - Enterprise H88 multi-role survey vessel - hydrographic oceanographic (SVHO) & Shoreham (M112) Sandown Class Minehunter

[Little h]

Foredeck/Forecastle cables - Enterprise (H88) multi-role survey, hydrographic, oceanographic vessel (SVHO) & Shoreham (M112) Sandown Class Minehunter.

, HMS Shoreham twitter 7.12.2018 Dt0Nt8jV4AAt30J.jpg

Shoreham (M112) Sandown Class Minehunter.

, 1HMS Enterprise, HMS Hurworth, HMS Ramsey and 2 others DrJzLTuWkAAI5JR.jpg large (2).jpg

H88-HMS-Enterprise-x23 seaforces.org.jpg

Enterprise (H88) multi-role survey, hydrographic, oceanographic vessel (SVHO)

_________________________________________________________

Additionally;
Re. Type 21 Amazon Class Frigates; I have searched for indications that this or a similar feature might have been installed on this class, but without success.

[ivorthediver]

It certainly seems to be widespread Harry , and other than for lifelines I'm at a loss to say .

Forgive the question but did you not ask whilst on board taking these photos , I know I would have

[Little h]

Forgive the question but did you not ask whilst on board taking these photos , I know I would have

Nope; never gave it a thought - barely noticed them - just another deck hazard to be stepped over - I nearly got a tiny bit snagged on one rigged on the foredeck/forecastle port side on the Dragon D35. Thus the reason for highlighting the feature in this thread.

[Little h]

Foredeck cables - Iver Huitfeldt-class frigateS - HDMS HDMS Niels Juel (F363


Sleek, modern and built on a budget – Denmark’s latest frigate
Christopher P. Cavas / November 21, 2014


R E S U L T --- Safety Lines (port & stbd) for the use of;

Coloured Arrows indicate the following features:-

Red - Safety lines;
Gold - shadow of stbd Safety line
Dark Red - safety harness attached to stbd Safety line.

0045-DSC_4500 world-defense.jpg

A view out the ship’s bridge windows at the foredeck, where safety gear is required.
The two sailors here are rigging festive lighting for the ship’s visit to Baltimore.

0068-DSC_4072 world-defense.jpg

photos by Christopher P. Cavas

The source of the images above is:-
World Defense - Forums - Naval Warfare - Destroyers & Frigates - Topics contributed by 'Combat Medic' SENIOR MEMBER in a thread Titled:- Sleek, modern and built on a budget – Denmark’s latest frigate by Christopher P. Cavas / November 21, 2014

My comment; the images on the linked forum are excellent!!

[Little h]

.... and the ever controversial/contradictory Zumwalt Class DDG's

The only objects protruding above the flat foredeck are the huge enclosures for the two 155mm guns of the advanced gun system (AGS), the largest naval guns installed as standard equipment to go to sea in decades. Ranged along the sides of the ship on the foredeck and along the flight deck aft are 80 missile cells in a new arrangement intended to use the blast shields of the cells to protect the ship, and keep the centerline free for the gun system. No railings or lifelines are visible, although stanchions can be rigged manually when in port. Those venturing out on deck must latch on to a safety line.

Source; here


Lifeline or Safety Line - what is the difference?

[Little h]

.... and the ever controversial/contradictory Zumwalt Class DDG's

The only objects protruding above the flat foredeck are the huge enclosures for the two 155mm guns of the advanced gun system (AGS), the largest naval guns installed as standard equipment to go to sea in decades. Ranged along the sides of the ship on the foredeck and along the flight deck aft are 80 missile cells in a new arrangement intended to use the blast shields of the cells to protect the ship, and keep the centerline free for the gun system. No railings or lifelines are visible, although stanchions can be rigged manually when in port. Those venturing out on deck must latch on to a safety line.

Source; here


Lifeline or Safety Line - what is the difference?

The following passages are taken from the excerpt (copied above):-

a) " Those venturing out on deck must latch on to a safety line" - so; ... here they are:-

, A3J1WoK shoutwiki.com canadianpower (3).jpg

and:-

b) No railings or lifelines are visible, although stanchions can be rigged manually when in port.

My Comment; The features indentified in the 1st and 2nd attachments (when taken together) suggest that passage (above) is wrong on all counts.


In the following image, the ship is definately at sea and participating in a RAS (UNREP):-

, Zumwalt DsYJpx9VYAAmwcf Twitter - Copy (4).jpg

Stanchions and guardrails are seen to be erected on the foredeck whilst 'at sea' performing UNREP/RAS
(stbd side; the stanchions and guardrails are above the orange line - port side; they are below the orange line)

[Little h]

... and at last; evidence of said cables (not rails) being put to use on RN warships - as safety lines!!


Type 23 Frigate HMS Northumberland (F238) - on the hangar room

,Dv1R9kDXcAAcZ2O.jpg large..jpg

The sailors on the hangar roof are attached by safety harness kit to their respective fore and aft safety lines.

Additionally; there are two safety lines each running diagonally from their respective aft corners on the hangar roof, to a anchor fixing that is located on the ship centre line, at approximately the centre point on the hangar roof.


Type 45 Destroyer HMS Dragon (D35) - on the foredeck

, Dkt73C2XcAAoqKy HMS Dragon on Twitter 16 Aug 2018.jpg

Although barely discernable; under close(r) examination it can be seen that the individual on the foredeck is attached to the port safety line by his/her safety harness kit.

Legend;
Red white arrows = deck mounted safety lines
Dark red arrows = safety harness kit

So, that must surely about wrap up this thread - enought evidence to establish that:-
The cables/lines and rails are safety lines; used in conjunction with safety harness kit; fall protection for the use of: Change of thread title perhaps in the offing!!