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Survival Craft Inspectorate: Locked in for growth

Aberdeen: As of a week ago all shipowners are now facing a new piece of IMO legislation. As per MSC.1.Circ.1392, all vessel owners must make sure that the lifeboat release and retrieval system (LRRS) on their vessels complies with the revised Life Saving Appliances (LSA) code. All vessels with non-compliant hooks must replace them during the first drydock after 1 July 2014 but no later that 1 July 2019.
Sitting rather well with this news is Survival Craft Inspectorate (SCI), a British firm whose LRRS has won plaudits for many years.
Safelaunch, SCI’s patented and compliant LRRS – was conceived and developed as a result of identified industry requirements back in 2002. From the outset, explains managing director Angus Campbell, it was decided that the system should be manufactured using European 316 stainless steel, should have no critical tolerances, should be a stable hook, should be simple to operate and maintain and afford 100% security against unintentional or inadvertent release.
“All these measures were taken by SCI more than 10 years in advance of the latest amendments to the LSA code being implemented now making us market leaders,” Campbell says.
Furthermore, the equipment has once again been evaluated and appears on the IMO’s whitelist as a fully compliant system, capable of being fitted to any brand of lifeboat on any vessel. Safelaunch is fitted as standard equipment to a wide range of lifeboats that SCI manufacture, all of which are fully approved by top class societies.
Its simple design ensures fast retrofitting into any other brand of lifeboat, without making any alterations to the structural integrity of the lifeboat in any way.
Recently awarded the Queens Award for Innovation, the Safelaunch product is well-proven and now in high demand.
SCI also offers value added services to clients with an in-house maritime training academy where it partners with maritime companies for life safety training.
“Most shipowners have a diversified fleet with different lifeboats and systems across the fleet which can cause safety and training concerns. It is recommended that the LRRS systems across the fleet should be consistent to ensure effective training and reduction in any accidental release due to human error,” Campbell reckons.
The Aberdeen-headquartered firm is looking to make the  most of the increased demand for its products worldwide, and has recently appointed Mohit Batra, a former ABS high flier, as managing director for Asia and Oceania.
“Asia being an important region for the maritime industry is going to be our focus for the coming years,” says Campbell, adding: “There is a huge amount of opportunity that is present in Asia and we are already witnessing increased enquiries and orders this year.” [08/07/14]

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