VIKING and Serco secure extensive MoD contract for liferafts and service

The contract covers a series of Serco vessels operating in Royal Navy bases, including tugs and passenger boats, with liferafts designed to carry from 6 to 50 persons.

Mark C Harriman, Managing Director of VIKING Life-Saving Equipment Ltd, said that it’s VIKING’s first contract of its kind with the MoD. He said that the lease agreement concept is designed to ensure that all 200 liferafts will be available at all times.

"VIKING will handle all of the service planning and make sure that the liferafts are fully operational at all times. When necessary, liferafts will be replaced immediately."

Mr Harriman said that VIKING would use its bases in Aberdeen and Southampton to support operations.
The size of the contract reflects Serco’s move to streamline the number of vendors supplying liferafts, going from 5 to a single supplier.

Iain Chalmers, Director of Serco's contract with the Royal Navy, said: "I am pleased to have VIKING as a supplier of high quality lifesaving equipment to Serco. We oversee a very busy and complex marine operation in support of the Royal Navy, managing a fleet of over 100 vessels. We operate to the highest safety standards, and our relationship with VIKING will help to ensure that we continue to do so throughout the life of our contract."