The lifeboat release mechanism has a hook movably mounted therein. This hook
has a concave surface on its lower end. A latch block having a convex surface thereon
is also movably mounted therein. In a holding mode, the convex surface of the latch
block is laid against the concave surface of the hook. In a release mode, the convex
surface is below the concave surface. In a first aspect of the invention, the concave
surface extends above and below an axis of rotation of the latch block to prevent
an unattended release of the mechanism. In another aspect, the concave surface
and the convex surface have a same radius of curvature to prevent localized wear
thereon. In a third aspect, the latch lock is rotatable over an angular displacement
of 80 between a holding position and a release position, such that the releasing
of the mechanism is predictable.
