VIKINGs double slide is certified as the highest capacity marine evacuation system on the market

Higher capacity means fewer systems

Choosing evacuation systems for a new vessel or refit is often a question of capacity and deck space. Designers and naval architects choose the right system and allocate space. The number of systems a vessel requires is based on how many people need to be evacuated within 30 minutes (or 17 minutes and 40 seconds for vessels sailing under the High Speed Code). The larger the system, the fewer required to cover the evacuation requirement. The new VIKING evacuation slide certification could mean considerable savings in deck space and expense, as fewer systems are required to evacuate the same number of passengers. A vessel with a MES capacity requirement of approx. 1300 can now install just 2 VIKING evacuation slides (VES). This represents a substantial saving.

Existing installed systems are also certified for higher capacity
As the re-certification also applies to systems already on board vessels, vessel operators are able to increase the capacity of their vessels to the new maximum capacity without installing a new system, provided of course that there is sufficient liferaft capacity or additional liferafts are added.

USCG approval will also be amended as the VES system is approved via MRA, or Mutual Recognition Agreement.

New certified system capacity
657 persons within 30 minutes (SOLAS)
386 persons within 17 minutes and 40 seconds (HSC)

Recent VES orders
VIKING is due to install slide systems on the vessel M/S Mega Express Four sailing for Corsica Ferries/Forship next month (March 2008). These new slides will replace existing systems and be used in conjunction with VIKING 100 man liferafts.