Schat-Harding to exceed SOLAS standards for freefall boats

Offshore staff

Schat-Harding has agreed with Statoil to recall six of its FF1000S skid-launched freefall lifeboats for strengthening beyond SOLAS requirements. Service tests show that SOLAS requirements may need modifying for freefall boats for high drop heights from North Sea oil platforms. The move follows tests on boats installed on Statoil's Veslefrikk B platform in the North Sea.

Outside the North Sea, 10 of these FF1000S lifeboats are in service on rigs and ships. All have carried out installation tests. All of these lifeboats are operating in the lower end of the freefall heights, from 15-20 m, and there is no need for the extra reinforcing required for the high drops from the North Sea platforms. However, Schat-Harding will contact all its clients and inform them of the tests and results.

The FF1000S freefall boat is certified for a freefall height of 36 m. It is built for 63 persons and designed according to IMO SOLAS LSA - Code MSC.48 and MSC.81 and certified under the European Marine Equipment Directive by Lloyd's Register.

08/19/05