World record for lifeboat testing
Norwegian lifeboat builder, Norsafe, has set a new world record when it dropped the 70 passenger GES50 MKIII lifeboat from 40m with ten people on board. This is the first time a staffed lifeboat has been dropped from this height.
“The feeling of diving into the water was amazing. It was even more exciting to know that no one else has done this before”, said Michael Røssland, vice president, Norsafe Academy, Rosendal.
The free fall model used in the drop was a Norsafe GES50 MKIII with a capacity of 70 passengers, which is one of the largest and most advanced lifeboats in the world. As previous world record for highest drop without passengers on board, this new record is 66m.
Norsafe’s newly opened training and test centre in Rosendal is capable of performing such unique drop tests. The new tower for free fall boats is 60m high and can perform drops up to 40m with crew onboard. Standard training drops using free-fall lifeboats are usually at 19m high.
“We are today the only lifeboat manufacture who can offer both production, service and certified training. It was a milestone to establish Norsafe Academy in Rosendal, which today has the largest tower for lifeboat testing in the North Sea”, said Norsafe CEO, Geir Skaala.
At the Rosendal centre, course participants receive training with the newest equipment. Crew who works on ships and offshore rigs and installations must take refresher courses every fifth year to maintain certificate validity. Norsafe has an Academy located in Greece offering similar training, and plans to build academies in other global locations in the next few years.
Norsafe is an international leader in manufacturing, delivery and service of maritime security equipment for the shipping and offshore business.
The company received approval from NOROG and the Norwegian Maritime Authority to become a certified course provider in accordance to the STCW Code.
By Anne-Marie Causer
Related Articles
MARINE CONSTRUCTION
POWER & PROPULSION
ENVIRONMENT