In Britain, it means diddly. It means you're a male, presumably respectable. If you have no other title, then the overly-British will put esq. after your name on an envelope, etc. In America, I believe it's sometimes used after a lawyer's surname. However, I don't see it used much by U.S. lawyers.
Davit systems are most often used to lower an emergency lifeboat to the embarkation level to be boarded. Davits can also be used as man-overboard safety devices to retrieve personnel from the water. The lifeboat davit has falls (now made of wire, historically of manila rope) that are used to lower the lifeboat into the water.
Social Sciences. A tricing pendant is part of the rigging that allows lifeboats to be launched. The system to launch a lifeboat is complex and the tricing pendants play an essential role if the ship is heeling or laid over because of damage. To launch a lifeboat the boats must first be freed from the cradle straps called Gripes.