What is a line thrower?

• Getting a line from ship to ship, ship to people in need, or for mooring purposes has been a necessity since humans started modern sailing at sea.

• Methods used have varied from hand thrown "monkey-fists", to spring loaded devices, canons, rockets and compressed air.

Today, line throwing devices are commonly used for the following:

• Rescue: people or boats in distress.

• Work: mooring, towing, ship to ship, messenger lines.

• Security: stopping speed boats, entering boats or houses etc.

• Fire brigades: general life saving, entering houses.

What is on the market today?

In general there are two types of line throwing devices on the market today that complies with IMO/SOLAS regulations.

• The pyrotechnical type, which uses gun powder as propellant.

• The pneumatic type, PLT, which uses compressed air as propellant.

Some advantages using the PLT

Economic:

• All parts are re-useable. Filling of compressed air from the ships high pressure compressor is the only cost. Each ship is therefore self-contained and does not have to rely on shore supplies.

No explosive:

• No explosives, sparks or flames.

• Can be used in oil and gas environment without danger. The storage and logistics are easy to attend to as very few restrictions apply. Can be shipped by any kind of transportation.

• No expiry date.

Maintenance:

• Easy maintenance and long shelf life.

• Made of Stainless Steel, anodised aluminium and plastic. Has undergone and passed severe temperature, salt and humidity tests as described in Solas regulations for line throwing appliances.

High precision: 

• High precision.

• After leaving the launch barrel, the flight is a free fall flight. Meaning no rocket pushing it out of direction. Passes the deflection demands from Solas with highly good margin.

Safety:

• Safety for user.

• The PLT is equipped with a safety valve and a fail-to-close regulator. Additionally it is dimensioned to hold the worst case pressure that can arise.

• It has to be operated with both hands, ensuring that no free hand is placed in dangerous position and will ensure stability during operation.

• No back fire gases as the pressure release is pointed forward.