There is provided a new and useful access and evacuation sytem for an offshore platform, the system comprising a rotating arm for mounting on the support structure of an offshore platform, the arm selectively moveable between an upper position in which an outer end of the arm is adjacent the platform, and a lower position in which the outer end of the arm is below water and remote from the platform; a pick-up adjacent the outer end of the arm for capturing and suspending a boat; a winch for selectively raising and lowering the arm; a boat; a suspension on the boat for mating with the pick-up; and shock absorbers on the suspension whereby to minimize shock to the boat when boat is being captured by the pick-up. In a further aspect of the invention there is provided a survival craft having mounted thereon a suspension for lifting and lowering the craft, the suspension comprising at least one suspension support member secured to the boat, a transverse member carried on the at least one suspension support, and a shock absorber on at least one suspension support member.