A comprehensive programme of tests carried out by MarinTek in Trondheim confirms that the Torpedo lifeboat has properties that no other free-fall lifeboat can match.
The new Torpedo free-fall lifeboat, which has been developed by lifeboat manufacturer Noreq AS, has now been fully tested in model-scale by the Norwegian Marine Technology Research Institute, MarinTek. The results satisfy the new lifeboat requirements defined by the Norwegian Oil Industry Association OLF and confirm all the key properties that will create a completely new safety standard for personnel working on offshore installations.
Today’s problems with lifeboats, which have come to light in the North Sea over time, have resulted in more stringent requirements for evacuation vessels on offshore installations. Comprehensive test results confirm that the new Torpedo lifeboat from Noreq AS will revolutionise offshore safety and evacuation.
- Greater hull strength and increases the lifeboat’s ability to withstand drops and severe weather conditions.
- The torpedo shape makes lifeboat drops much easier on personnel on board.
- More than 100% increaseing in the lifeboat's propulsion away from the drop site (platform/ship).
- Propelled further under water. It is less affected by the drop angle, height, waves and wind, ensuring unique directional stability!
Employee representatives from StatoilHydro show great interest in the Torpedo free-fall lifeboat
Employee representatives from StatoilHydro were present during the final part of the model-scale tests, and they have the following to say about the lifeboat project:
“Today's rescue equipment has proven to perform poorly when tested.This has undermined people’s trust in the rescue equipment.As employee representatives involved in different areas of the lifeboat project run by StatoilHydro and the Norwegian Oil Industry Association (OLF), we have been a driving force for the development of new technology. We believe that the Torpedo free-fall lifeboat represents a technological breakthrough.We are looking forward to it with great interest.We appreciate the openness shown in connection with the tests of the Torpedo free-fall lifeboat and hope that the industry will immediately make use of the new technology that is being developed, so that it can result in better and safer means of evacuation on all our installations on the Norwegian Continental Shelf.”
The statement is endorsed by:
Bjørn Asle Teige, YS StatoilHydro
Peter Alexander Hansen, EPN Group Chief Safety - Delegate, StatoilHydro
