Survival technology company, Survitec, has received independent validation for its Seahaven system, the world’s largest inflatable lifeboat.
This signifies an advancement in passenger safety, vessel design, and operational efficiency, the company claimed.
The study, conducted by the naval architecture and marine engineering consultancy, Foreship, quantified the substantial benefits of integrating Seahaven into cruise ship designs, with a focus on space utilisation and cost efficiency.
It also highlighted that vessels can experience weight advantages with Seahaven, making the system favourable for both new designs and retrofitting existing ships.
Survitec’s white paper, ‘Seahaven Application Study’, outlined the report’s findings and examines four primary configurations for integrating the Seahaven system.
The findings emphasised Seahaven’s ability to significantly enhance cruise ship layout and functionality by optimising valuable deck space by eliminating bulky davit-launched lifeboats.
Seahaven has a reduced vertical and longitudinal space relative to traditional lifeboat designs, thereby enhancing bridge visibility and minimising vessel overhang, particularly beneficial for vessels transiting the Panama Canal, Survitec said.
The system’s decreased weight, compared to conventional lifeboat configurations, afforded greater flexibility in ship design, which may lead to reduced construction costs for newbuildings and improved stability for retrofitted vessels.
With this design flexibility, operators can redesign prime space for additional passenger cabins, expanded public areas, or upgraded leisure and entertainment facilities, ultimately enhancing revenue potential.
The white paper also outlined opportunities for mid-sized cruise ships, such as converting interior cabins into balcony cabins. Alternatively, larger vessels can utilise the space savings to introduce additional leisure and entertainment facilities, ultimately enhancing the guest experience.
A capacity analysis was conducted to evaluate the alignment of the Seahaven lifeboat system with various vessel sizes and configurations to measure how well the optimised Seahaven system matches the maximum persons on board (POB), including passengers and crew.
The study also compared Seahaven’s deployment characteristics with traditional lifeboats, focusing on SOLAS requirements for a 20 deg heel deployment.
In the case of medium-sized cruise ships, the Seahaven system integrated well with no significant SOLAS deployment issues. Its minimum helical slide length suited most designs, allowing manageable deployment without major modifications.
As a fully automated evacuation system, Seahaven can safely disembark up to 1,060 pax in under 22 minutes, eliminating the complexities of traditional davit and release-hook mechanisms, the company claimed.
By simplifying on board LSA management, Seahaven reduces maintenance costs and crew training requirements, while ensuring compliance with SOLAS regulations.
The system has undergone rigorous heavy weather sea trials, successfully operating in conditions exceeding Beaufort Scale 6, reinforcing its reliability in real world emergency scenarios.
Claude Sada, Survitec COO, said, “Beyond delivering safety performance, Seahaven enables shipowners to optimise their fleets with improved design flexibility, greater operational efficiencies, and enhanced commercial potential.”
The analysis highlighted Seahaven’s adaptability across multiple deployment configurations, including hybrid solutions integrating marine evacuation systems (MES) and tender lifeboats.
This flexibility ensures seamless integration into diverse vessel types, making Seahaven a viable LSA solution for cruise lines looking to future-proof their fleets, Survitec said.
“Since achieving Lloyd’s Register type approval in 2022, Seahaven has set new benchmarks for maritime safety and vessel optimisation.
“As the industry continues to prioritise regulatory compliance and passenger experience, adopting Seahaven represents a forward-thinking investment in the future of maritime evacuation systems,” Sada added.
