Norwegian Customers Opt For Automatic And For Longer Escape Slides From The Survitec Group

SOUTHAMPTON, U.K. - Aug. 27, 2014 - PRLog -- The new slide can be launched and ready for passenger use with the touch of a button and without any further intervention by the crew. This is now being seen by ship operators as an important safety benefit especially when crew members may be actively engaged in dealing with other aspects of an emergency.

When it enters service the Norled-operated Zero Cat will be fitted with four of the automatic 3.8-metre Evacuation Slide Systems which each have single escape tracks and incorporate a 150-person open reversible inflatable life raft. The order also includes two further 3.8-metre Small Inflatable Slides, also with single escape tracks and a 50-person open liferaft. Survitec's slide systems will be supplied in time for the ferry’s delivery to Norled in September.

Sales of longer escape slides to Norwegian customers have also been achieved following the recent delivery of two 7.7-metre systems for the newly completed Ryylke and Hardanger ferries. These ships were also built for Norled but at the Remontowa yard in Poland. They were the first Norwegian vessels to be fitted with Survitec’s Medium Escape Slides and are notable as being the first ferries in the world to be powered by LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas.)

The two gas-powered ships have recently entered service on a route between Stavanger and Tau in Norway. The evacuation capacity of the slides and speed of evacuation is particularly important as the ferries can carry up to 550 passengers and in the summer months they will be used to enable tourists to view the famous Preikestolen cliffs near Stavanger. With the medium height slides certified as capable of evacuating 750 passengers from the ship  in 30 minutes and 400 passengers in just 17 min 40 sec, they are expected to suit  many more customers in Norway’s retro-fit market. The system has been tested and approved for slides to heights up to 12.5m and this enables Survitec to meet the evacuation needs of a wide variety of vessels. This is facilitated by the company's ability to offer a full range of slide systems from 1.5 to 3.8m (Mini-Slide) and 3.8m to 12.5 m (Medium Inflatable Slide, twin tracks) of freeboard. When vessels have a freeboard in excess of 12.5m, Survitec offers a broad range of chute and raft evacuation systems up to a capacity of 860 including the award winning Marin Ark system.

These first sales of the 3.8 metre Evacuation Slide System into the Norwegian market now denote a significant development for Survitec which has so far experienced great success with its Small Inflatable Slides. These are designed for vessels with lower freeboard such as fast ferries and range in length from just 1.5 metres to 3.8 metres and there are now over 50 Norwegian craft equipped with them.  With this solid track record, Survitec is now confident that it will see sales of its longer slides increase as ship operators recognize the advantages of their evacuation capacities when combined with the new automatic launch systems.

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Press Enquiries

Theresa Fitzgerald

Group Marketing Manager - Commercial Marine

Tel: +44 (0) 7900 493 734

Email: theresa.fitzgerald@survitecgroup.com

Notes to Editors: About Survitec Group

Survitec Group holds market-leading positions worldwide in marine, defence and aerospace survival technology. Headquartered in Southampton, UK, the company employs 2000 people across 8 manufacturing sites and operates through a network of over 580 service stations and distributors to bring its best-in-class products and services to a global customer base. Survitec provides a comprehensive range of critical safety solutions in marine, aviation and industrial services including rope supply, height safety, tooling, lifting and inspection, fire safety equipment and lifeboat servicing and maintenance.

With an extensive history spanning over 160 years and a portfolio of some of the most reputable brands in the safety and survival industry, Survitec is committed to product innovation, technological advancement and quality assurance.

Key products within Survitec’s portfolio include marine, defence and aviation liferafts, market leading submarine escape technology, lifejackets for commercial airlines and the offshore industry as well as pilot flight equipment, including anti-g clothing used for the Eurofighter and JSF programmes. The

Group also pioneered marine evacuation technology and today its range of innovative systems is used on major cruise ships and naval vessels worldwide.

For more information please visit www.survitecgroup.com

Survitec Group Limited Head Office: International House, George Curl Way, Southampton, Hampshire SO18 2RZ

Tel:     +44 (0)23 8030 2020

Fax:    +44 (0)23 8030 2177

Email:  info@survitecgroup.com

Web:    http://www.survitecgroup.com

Company Number: 905173
Registered Office: 1-5 Beaufort Road, Birkenhead, Merseyside, England CH41 1HQ