Leading manufacturers cooperate to develop better lifebuoy release system

VIKING Life-Saving Equipment, one of the world's leading suppliers of life-saving equipment, and CM Hammar, the main manufacturer of release units and inflators, joined forces to develop a better, more reliable and cost effective remote release unit for lifebuoys.

New system makes economic sense in the short and long term
Remote release systems for lifebuoys save lives by dramatically reducing the amount of time it takes to launch a lifebuoy to aid a person fallen overboard compared to manually throwing a lifebuoy from bridge wings. The release systems available until now have been wire release systems that release the lifebuoy by pulling on a wire installed in the bridge.

Complex wire systems they take time to install and need regular maintenance. Wires are also vulnerable to over-icing and the build up of salt, potentially rendering the system unreliable.

Experts from Hammar and VIKING looked at the existing systems and worked on a solution that would make the release units better, more economical and more reliable. Gone is the complex wire system, replaced with the more economical and reliable self-contained unit.

The newly developed Hammar lifebuoy release system comes as one integrated unit ready for mounting on the bulk head, saving costly installation hours at the shipyard. Wires have been replaced with a release unit and spring activated holder, eliminating potential problems with ice and salt.

Faster, more reliable system a life-saver
Every minute is crucial in saving people who have fallen overboard. Large vessels take time to slow and turn around and getting a lifebuoy into the water immediately is essential if it is to land in the water close enough to the victim for them to be able to reach it. Cold water also has an immediate and debilitating effect. Dexterity and strength deteriorate fast, making it harder for the person in the water to grip and hold onto the lifebuoy.

The new system is faster to deploy and more reliable than traditional systems as it is not compromised by salt or icing on the wire. VIKING's complete packing can include automatically activated light and smoke flares making it easier for the victim to locate the lifebuoy in the water and more visible for rescuers.

More than just a wholesaler of trade products
VIKING takes safety seriously and works with the world's best manufacturers to develop products of excellence in life saving appliances.