Survival technology solutions provider, Survitec has introduced a new interactive safety management solution.
Dubbed a safety management and rapid response technology interface (SMARR-TI), uses a graphical monitoring interface to integrate fire detection and fire suppression systems within a single system.
SMARR-TI, which Survitec developed in co-operation with Turkish shipyard Tersan and Norway’s Havila Voyages, is already in operation on two 15,500 gt coastal passenger ships, operated by Havila.
“SMARR-TI is unique in that it can integrate both fire detection and fire suppression systems within one easy-to-use solution; there is currently no other digitised safety monitoring solution like this. What sets it apart is that it is interactive. The aim is to give early warning of changes in a quick and effective way, and then to enable swift action to prevent a fire from happening,” claimed Rafal Kolodziejski, Survitec’s Head of Product Support and Development.
SMARR-TI, which supplements SOLAS requirements for general arrangement plans to be permanently exhibited for the guidance of the ship’s officers and crew, can provide a digital interactive plan of the entire ship’s fire defence systems, encompassing fire prevention, fire detection, and fire suppression.
Utilising a 27 inch touch screen monitor on the bridge and in the engine control room, the crew can monitor and operate the ship’s fire defences simply and easily. Real-time status indication is paired with alerts and notifications to warn of temperatures exceeding set limits, or the presence of smoke or flame.
SMARR-TI then activates automatically to sound the alarm, close fire doors & fire dampers, shut down ventilation, activate CCTV cameras and trigger signals to the alarm monitoring system, SMS interface, and public announcement system.
“The idea for a digital graphical monitoring system was already being developed by our engineers when we won the contract for the first Havila vessel,” explained Vassilis Georgossopoulos, the company’s Sales Manager, Newbuild. “We realised that the ship’s profile fitted perfectly with the concept. The yard and owner agreed, and we started developing this as part of the project.”
Tersan has carved a niche in the LNG, hybrid, and 100% battery-powered vessel market and contracted Survitec to supply a fire safety package for two new ships for Havila Voyages, ’Havila Capella’ and ’Havila Castor’.
The first, ’Havila Capella’, features the world’s largest battery pack installed on a passenger ship.
In addition to SMARR-TI, Survitec supplied an XFLOW water mist system for the accommodation, machinery spaces and electrical rooms; a CO2 drenching system for the galleys and ducts; a dry chemical powder (DCP) system for LNG bunkering stations, and an N2 inert gas system.
“We were looking for a safety technology partner that could integrate a myriad of safety systems into a single control and monitoring system,” added Adnan Baris Arda, Tersan’s Project Manager.
“Survitec’s proposal was exactly what we required for the Havila ships. The solution we developed in co-operation with Havila enables the crew to understand the safety status more easily and quickly in all compartments, decks, cabins and spaces on board the ship.
“SMARR-TI acts as a ‘vessel monitoring brain’. Building new systems is a tough process, especially on a prototype vessel, and an open dialogue is the key to success. One of the most valuable aspects of working with Survitec on this product was the flexibility and can-do attitude of the automation department throughout the design process. It is straightforward to install and operate,” he said.
Following its successful collaboration with Tersan and Havila on the first ships in the series, Survitec has received further orders for a similar scope of supply for the ’Havila Polaris’ and ’Havila Pollux’, for which both sets are to be delivered by this summer.
The company has also won contracts with Turkey’s Cemre shipyard, adding the solution as an optional extra to the Survitec safety packages it is installing on a Norwegian fishing vessel and a Danish passenger ferry.
Survitec has also announced that it has completed a major expansion of its UK servicing capability with the opening of a service centre in Southampton.
The 10,000 sq ft building, recently fitted out with equipment and facilities for the servicing and repair of liferafts, lifejackets, immersion suits and other safety equipment, will deliver increased capacity and faster turnaround times when meeting the needs of customers in the cruise and other shipping sectors.
“Our new Service Centre is strategically positioned in Southampton to be closer to our customers in the port – it will allow us swift access in and out of the docks to provide an enhanced service to ships,” said Iain Allan, Survitec’s Operations Manager based at Southampton.
“We spent many months searching for and fitting out the right facility in Southampton. We will now have the capability to service more than 2,000 liferafts a year, with room in our new location to expand to meet customer needs,” he added.
Alongside reducing servicing turnaround by up to 50%, Survitec has increased its headcount to meet the demands of the new Service Centre by 20%.
A 3,000-litre water tank has been installed for testing liferafts and rescue boats, equipped with a davit launch frame for load testing.
The centre also features a dedicated lifejacket servicing and repair area with a special platform to accommodate 151-man liferafts, a compressor for inflation and calibrated tools.
“The location of this new Service Centre effectively allows us to manage and build upon our offering to support our customers in the region.,” said Ronnie Vettese, Survitec’s Managing Director, UK Marine.
“Longer term, the new facility will enable us to expand upon our customer offering and to provide fire, lifeboat and mooring equipment services,” he said.
Survitec’s Southampton Service Centre was unveiled this week to coincide with Seawork, Europe’s largest commercial marine and workboat exhibition held at Southampton.
