Davit vs. Derrick — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Maham Liaqat — Updated on May 7, 2024
A davit is a small crane-like device used to lower or lift lifeboats and other equipment, while a derrick is a larger lifting device with a framework, typically used in drilling or heavy construction.
Difference Between Davit and Derrick
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A davit is a crane-like mechanism mounted on the deck of a ship or platform, used to hoist or lower lifeboats and other small loads. It features arms or poles that pivot out to support and control the load. A derrick, on the other hand, is a large lifting structure that often has a tall framework with a boom or jib. It is primarily used in oil drilling operations and heavy construction, capable of lifting and handling much heavier loads.
Davits are integral in maritime operations for ensuring quick and safe launching of lifeboats. Derricks are critical in drilling for raising and lowering drill pipes and equipment.
Davits usually feature a smaller footprint and are often installed in pairs, especially on larger vessels. Derricks are built as permanent or semi-permanent structures, sometimes as high as 100 feet or more.
Davits generally work with lighter loads, while derricks handle heavier operations due to their robust framework.
Comparison Chart
Structure
Crane-like arms/poles
Tall framework with boom/jib
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Common Use
Lowering lifeboats, small loads
Drilling, heavy lifting in construction
Load Capacity
Light to moderate
Moderate to heavy
Typical Location
Ships, small platforms
Oil rigs, construction sites
Portability
Permanent or removable
Permanent or semi-permanent
Compare with Definitions
Davit
A davit that rotates horizontally to position a lifeboat.
The pivoting davit helped maneuver the boat into the water.
Derrick
A lifting structure, often with a tall tower and boom.
The derrick hoisted the drill pipes deep into the well.
Davit
A davit with one supporting arm.
The single-arm davit lifted the small dinghy onto the deck.
Derrick
A derrick used to drill and raise equipment in oil wells.
The oil derrick stood over 100 feet tall on the drilling platform.
Davit
A crane-like device used to lower or raise lifeboats.
The crew practiced launching lifeboats using the davits.
Derrick
A derrick stabilized with guy wires.
The guy derrick maintained stability with steel wires anchored to the ground.
Davit
A davit specifically designed for lifeboat operations.
Each side of the ship was equipped with a lifeboat davit.
Derrick
A derrick used for lifting heavy materials in construction.
The construction derrick safely moved steel beams to the higher floors.
Davit
A davit-like crane mounted on a ship's deck.
The deck crane assisted in transferring cargo between ships.
Derrick
A derrick stabilized with stifflegs instead of guy wires.
The stiffleg derrick managed to lift the heavy steel columns smoothly.
Davit
A davit (pronounced "dayvit" or see Wiktionary) is any of various crane-like devices used on a ship for supporting, raising, and lowering equipment such as boats and anchors.Davit systems are most often used to lower an emergency lifeboat to the embarkation level to be boarded. The lifeboat davit has falls (now made of wire, historically of manila rope) that are used to lower the lifeboat into the water.
Derrick
A derrick is a lifting device composed at minimum of one guyed mast, as in a gin pole, which may be articulated over a load by adjusting its guys. Most derricks have at least two components, either a guyed mast or self-supporting tower, and a boom hinged at its base to provide articulation, as in a stiffleg derrick.
Davit
A small crane that projects over the side of a ship and is used to hoist boats, anchors, and cargo.
Derrick
A machine for hoisting and moving heavy objects, consisting of a movable boom equipped with cables and pulleys and connected to the base of an upright stationary beam.
Davit
(nautical) A spar formerly used on board of ships, as a crane to hoist the flukes of the anchor to the top of the bow, without injuring the sides of the ship.
Derrick
A tall framework over a drilled hole, especially an oil well, used to support boring equipment or hoist and lower lengths of pipe.
Davit
A crane, often working in pairs and usually made of steel, used to lower things over an edge of a long drop off, such as lowering a maintenance trapeze down a building or launching a lifeboat over the side of a ship.
Derrick
A device that is used for lifting and moving large objects.
Davit
A spar formerly used on board of ships, as a crane to hoist the flukes of the anchor to the top of the bow, without injuring the sides of the ship; - called also the fish davit.
Derrick
A framework that is constructed over a mine or oil well for the purpose of boring or lowering pipes.
Oil derrick
Davit
A crane-like device (usually one of a pair) for suspending or lowering equipment (as a lifeboat)
Derrick
(obsolete) A hangman.
Derrick
(transitive) To hoist with, or as if with, a derrick.
Derrick
To remove (a pitcher).
Derrick
A mast, spar, or tall frame, supported at the top by stays or guys, and usually pivoted at the base, with suitable tackle for hoisting heavy weights, such as stones in building.
Derrick
The pyramidal structure or tower over a deep drill hole, such as that of an oil well (also called an oil derrick .
Derrick
A framework erected over an oil well to allow drill tubes to be raised and lowered
Derrick
A simple crane having lifting tackle slung from a boom
Common Curiosities
Where are derricks used most frequently?
Derricks are often used on oil rigs and in heavy construction projects.
What is a derrick?
A derrick is a larger lifting structure used in oil drilling or heavy construction.
What is the primary use of a davit?
The primary use of a davit is to lower or raise lifeboats and other small equipment.
What is an oil derrick?
An oil derrick is a tower-like structure used to drill oil wells and raise drill pipes.
Are derricks portable or permanent?
Derricks are generally semi-permanent or permanent structures.
What is a davit?
A davit is a crane-like structure used to lower or raise lifeboats and small loads.
What is a stiffleg derrick?
A stiffleg derrick uses rigid legs instead of guy wires for stability.
Where are davits commonly found?
Davits are commonly found on ships, offshore platforms, and ports.
What is the primary use of a derrick?
The primary use of a derrick is to lift and handle drill pipes or heavy construction materials.
Are davits essential for maritime safety?
Yes, davits are crucial for safely launching lifeboats in emergencies.
Do derricks have a boom or jib?
Yes, derricks have a boom or jib that extends to handle heavy loads.
Can a davit lift heavy loads?
Davits can lift moderate loads but not as heavy as derricks.
Do davits have rotating arms?
Yes, davits often feature pivoting or swinging arms to position boats.
Are davits portable or permanent?
Davits can be portable or permanently mounted.
What are guy wires used for in a derrick?
Guy wires stabilize a derrick by anchoring it to the ground.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
