Maersk Alabama Pirate Lifeboat Pics
 

This is really interesting

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=344426

I never woulda thought a life boat would be configured like that...when I first saw 'em several years ago, I remember being surprised, but after ya look 'em over a minute, if I's gonna be in the middle of the ocean for a few days w/nothing else at hand, that'd be my pick...

Those things are made to be DROPPED from the tanker, everyone in the boat is strapped in so when it hits the water and possibly knocking everyone unconscious, then a motor starts and propels the boat so it doesn't flounder. I use to work around them and they are pretty neat how they were designed.