Schat-Harding Successful Tests For Post - Solas Freefall Boats
06 September 2005
Leading lifeboat manufacturer Schat-Harding has successfully tested the first of six of its FF1000S skid-launched freefall lifeboats which have been strengthened beyond SOLAS requirements. The tests include a freefall drop from skids from a height of 36 m and a vertical drop from a height of 47 m. The boats, for Statoil's Veslefrikk B and Kristin platforms in the North Sea, are being tested at Schat-Harding's Rosendal factory in western Norway.
"Freefall lifeboats are the only way to get crews safely away from very high rigs," says Ove Roessland, president of Schat-Harding. "These boats have to keep crews safe even when overloaded and dropping from a height of 36 m into waves. We are at the cutting edge of lifesaving development and ensuring these boats can do the job when needed takes all of us, including the IMO, into new areas. We have worked closely with Statoil, Norways' Petroleum Safety Authority, Marintek (The Norwegian Marine Technology Research Institute) and DNV and to set new and more rigorous standards for our high drop skid-launched free fall lifeboats. These tests have been done under the independent supervision of our Notified Body, Lloyd's Register, and we are all very pleased with how the boats stand up to this demanding task. Oil rig crews can be assured that they have a sound and ready means of escape if anything goes wrong."
The FF1000S (skid-launched) free fall boat is certified for a free fall height of 36 m. It is built for 63 persons and designed and tested according to IMO SOLAS LSA - Code MSC.48 (66) and MSC.81 (70) and certified under the European Marine Equipment Directive by Lloyd's Register.
