Portable davits
Lightweight, easily-transportable davits that engage into pre-installed sockets at point of use. Typical SWL 150–500 kg.
UK manufactured
Lifting davits and sockets for confined-space operations.
Portable and fixed lifting davits for confined-space access, man-riding rescue, plant maintenance and roof-top lifting applications.
Davits are the practical answer for lifting at points that don’t justify a fixed crane. A portable davit that socket-mounts into a pre-installed base gives you lifting capability wherever you need it, then packs down for storage or transport. Somers Handling supplies both the davits and the cast-in sockets — engineered as a matched pair — for water, nuclear, chemical-process, offshore and plant-maintenance applications across the UK.
Man-riding davits for confined-space entry are a particular specialism, supplied to BS EN 795 Class E with the appropriate certification for fall-arrest rigging.
Types and configurations
Lifting davits and sockets are supplied in the following common configurations. Bespoke variants are engineered to order.
Man-riding davits
Davits certified to BS EN 795 Class E for man-riding, with appropriate safety-factor and certification for confined-space entry and rescue.
Fixed-position davits
Permanently-installed davits for recurring lifting tasks at a fixed point — tank access, plant maintenance, roof-top equipment swaps.
Cast-in sockets
Structural sockets cast into concrete bases or welded into structural steel. Supplied with installation drawings for the civil / structural contractor.
Technical capabilities
Standard capabilities below — higher capacities, longer spans and non-standard finishes available on request.
Standards
- BS EN 795
- BS EN 13155
- LOLER 1998
- NORSOK
- DNV
- CE / UKCA
| Safe working load (SWL) | 150 kg – 2,000 kg |
|---|---|
| Man-riding certification | BS EN 795 Class E Selected variants only. |
| Outreach | 0.5 m – 2.5 m |
| Winch options | Manual, electric, pneumatic, man-riding |
| Standards | BS EN 795, BS EN 13155, LOLER, NORSOK, DNV CE / UKCA marked. |
Industries
Where lifting davits and sockets are specified.
- SectorWater & utilities
- SectorNuclear
- SectorChemical & process
- SectorOffshore / marine
Lifting davits and sockets — frequently asked questions
What's the difference between a man-riding and a goods-only davit?
Man-riding davits are engineered and certified to BS EN 795 Class E, with a higher safety factor and additional controls on fall-arrest compatibility. A goods-only davit should never be used to lower or raise a person — doing so is unsafe and non-compliant under LOLER. If man-riding is a requirement at any point, specify it at enquiry.
Can we cast sockets into an existing concrete structure?
Yes — retro-fit sockets can be core-drilled into existing concrete and resin-anchored. We supply the installation spec including the anchor-group design, the required concrete grade, and the pull-out test procedure.
How is a davit proof-load tested?
Each davit-and-socket combination is proof-load tested at the first installation at 125% of SWL for goods-only davits, or to the rating specified under BS EN 795 for man-riding davits. LOLER thorough examinations are typically on a 6-month cycle for man-riding equipment and 12-month for goods-only.
Do you supply the winch and rigging as well?
Yes — davit packages typically include the winch (manual, electric or pneumatic), wire rope, sheave and fall-arrest compatibility where required, all matched to the davit SWL and duty.
Need lifting davits and sockets engineered to your application?
Send a short description of your load, environment and duty — a Somers engineer will respond within one working day.