Offshore staff
LYSAKER, Norway -- Schat-Harding says it has established a new freefall record with its FF1200 lifeboat. The boat was successfully dropped from a freefall height of 60 m (197 ft).
CEO Geir Arne Veglo said: “The FF1200 entered the water cleanly and made excellent headway.”
The boat was loaded with 7 metric tons (7.7 tons) to simulate the full capacity of 70 x 100-kg people. As part of the test, the engine was started immediately and was running for four hours along with different maneuvering tests.
Schat-Harding claims the FF1200 is the only lifeboat to have completed full-scale tests in accordance with new requirements for freefall lifeboats on the Norwegian continental shelf, DNV-OS-E406 standard.
The capability to drop safely from greater heights is required as offshore installations become larger. FF1200 was designed for that purpose and to meet new standards for performance in heavy seas to facilitate the evacuation of rigs and installations in the Norwegian North Sea.
An FF1200 boat can carry 70 persons secured in special seats with five-point harnesses. After dropping into the water the boat’s momentum carries it clear of the rig, after which a 280 hp engine drives the boat clear of the installation.
8/17/2012
