Survitec launches innovative cruise MES technology for small passenger vessels
Survival Technology leader Survitec has launched a new Marine Evacuation System (MES) designed to meet the emergency evacuation requirements of small to medium sized passenger vessels.
Aimed at vessels with passenger capacities ranging from 300 to 1,500 people, such as ferries and expedition cruise ships, the new MES solution will be officially presented to vessel operators during the SMM Trade Show before being rolled out for full market availability at starting in early 2023.
The new MES solution builds on Survitec’s success and growing market share in the larger cruise ship market, where the company has installed some of the largest dry shoe MES systems on the world’s most advanced cruise ships.
Customers can expect to see cost and operational efficiencies with an extended service MES option of up to 30 months, although the standard 12-month service offering remains available to those customers who choose it. Survitec also offers crew training programs to improve your emergency evacuation skills and how to properly implement MES.
“We were aware that there was a demand for an extended service MES solution with high functionality to serve the small passenger cruise and ferry market. We went back to the drawing board and looked again at how we could drive innovation to meet this need,” says Richard McCormick, AES and MES product manager, Survitec.
“The 30-month service interval offered by this technology brings convenience to the customer. This is because all the complex logistics related to the service only needs to be done about every two and a half years. The cost savings for shipowners are obvious,” says McCormick.
Using the fully enclosed helical (spiral) slide and dry shoe design of the company’s popular Marin Ark 2, the new MES solution ensures a safe, fast and intuitive descent for people of all ages and abilities. There are no restrictions on the size of individual users, and the crew can ascend the slide to assist passengers if necessary.
“The revolutionary helical slip technology of our Marin Ark 2 MES, trusted by leading cruise operators for an enhanced, unrestricted passenger experience and increased safety, is now available for ferries and small expedition-type passenger ships.” McCormick says.
Fully enclosed single and double helical slide options are available in an asymmetrical arrangement, the new MES solution comprises 50, 100, 150 person approved self-righting liferafts, with SOLAS A, B and HSC emergency packages.
For use on vessels with up to 23m freeboard, the new MES solution will be approved later this year by the Bureau Veritas classification society in accordance with SOLAS and MED requirements.
With a selection of SOLAS approved and robustly tested liferaft options to meet customer needs, the flexible design allows for installation in a wide range of configurations. Inflation takes place automatically within 60 seconds and minimal crew interaction is required during this phase. Multiple buoyancy compartments provide stability and safety in the harshest of sea conditions.
Global service coverage is provided by a total of 59 service stations around the world, ensuring fast response times for all customers.
Survitec welcomes discussions with cruise and ferry operators about the new MES solution at SMM on Stand 428, in Hall B5, taking place in Hamburg on September 6-9, 2022.
Source: Survitec
