VIKING showcases safety offerings at Seatrade Cruise Global 2016

The LifeCraft™

VIKING’s new super-sized, flexible evacuation system is a hybrid that combines the best of lifeboats and liferafts. The VIKING LifeCraft™ system features all of the advantages of modern lifeboats - such as self-propelled maneuverability - with the flexibility, comfort and smaller footprint of today’s liferafts.

“This is a product that completely changes the lifeboat vs. liferaft discussion - at least when it comes to high-capacity evacuation systems,“ commented VIKING director Niels Fraende: “The VIKING LifeCraft™ system enables rapid, mass evacuation with maximum safety for passengers and crew.”

There are two main elemments which make up the design of The LifeCraft™: The LifeCraft™ survival craft – a self- propelled inflatable vessel with four engines for a high degree of maneuverability and safety; and a stowage and launching unit, either placed on deck or built in, containing up to four LifeCraft™ crafts with a capacity of 200 persons each - for a total capacity of up to 800 persons. There is a gangway for stretchers, should they be required. A miniature model of the LifeCraft™ as well as a 3D video of the system will be showcased at Seatrade Cruise Global 2016

VIKING LifeCraft™ welcomed at IMO Last year, VIKING took an important step on the road to gaining approval for the VIKING LifeCraft™. The concept was presented to the International Maritime Organisation’s Sub-Committee on Ships Systems and Equipment in London, with the full support of the Danish Maritime Authority.

As full prototype testing of the LifeCraft™ neared completion, the audience heard that the system has been performing in line with expectations. Mr Fraende said the approvals process for the alternative LSA had been ‘a challenge’, but added that progress had been made by taking a practical approach to IMO guidelines (MSC 1/Circ. 1455, MSC. 1/ Circ. 1212 and SOLAS III/38). VIKING Life-Saving Equipment aims to secure the first approvals from flag states this year.

At the company’s booth (1727) will be a number of maritime specialists with extensive experience, including Niels Fraende and Flemming Nielsen from VIKING’s passenger division, both 20-year veterans of the maritime industry. Together with their colleagues, they will be their experience and what they believe to be the best practices with the maritime industry.

Safety standards

Every second is critical when a situation requires abandoning ship and safely evacuating the maximum number of persons in the shortest amount of time is the priority. High capacity life-saving equipment must be easy to handle and require limited involvement by crew. VIKING's evacuation systems provide fast and easy evacuation, exceptional stability and are trusted by crew worldwide.

Capacity

VIKING’s impressive track record sets the bar high. For example, the company’s product offering boasts the industry’s widest range of passenger evacuation systems – having introduced the first such system over 30 years ago.

VIKING has introduced a brand new chute system at Seatrade Cruise Global. In 30 minutes, it is capable of evacuating the largest number of people to date. The system is simple to operate and fully operational within 2 minutes. In addition, VIKING has some 270 certified service stations around the world, making it the most comprehensive and experienced network of any comparable supplier.

Suits and lifejackets

The company’s PS4190 combined work- and immersion suit and full range of solid lifejackets, have been tested and approved according to the most stringent performance standards. All will be showcased at Cruise Shipping Miami.

Onboard crew training and competency management

VIKING Saatsea, which develops 24/7 onboard training and management systems for STCW certification, is demonstrating the newly released STCW ‘refresher’ packages at VIKING’s stand. The system is designed with the aim of helping shipowners and operators comply with the tougher demands of 2010 STCW Manilla amendments, which will come into full force on January 1, 2017.

Experts will be on hand to explain how onboard training and competency management can reduce training and administration costs. In addition, shipowners can use the Course Creator function to design and streamline their own training and documentation.

Read the article online at: https://www.oilfieldtechnology.com/product-news/14032016/viking-showcases-safety-offerings-at-seatrade-cruise-global-2016/