Survitec's Seahaven gets type approval from Lloyd's RegisterSurvitec's Seahaven gets type approval from Lloyd's Register

A certificate of type approval was presented by Lloyd's Register Chief Operations Officer Mark Darley to Mark Cotton, Survitec sales director, during the SMM trade fair in Hamburg.

Certification follows the successful completion of heavy weather sea trials in December, and all environmental and physical testing concluded in April as defined by Lloyd’s Register Type Approval (A.520).

'Receiving this certificate is a significant achievement both for Survitec and the maritime industry at large,' Cotton said.

Certification confirms Seahaven is compliant with IMO rules for the evacuation of cruise ship passengers and crew and offers industry an alternative to the traditional lifeboat arrangement.

1,060-capacity lifeboat

The 1,060-capacity inflatable lifeboat solution takes all the safety features associated with a conventional lifeboat and marine evacuation system arrangement. With the compact design and higher evacuation capability of Seahaven, as much as 85% of cruise ship deck space is freed up, which Survitec said can yield up to $8.4m increased revenue per year for cruise operators.

'Commercially, the Seahaven journey is really just beginning. Since we officially launched this ground-breaking technology earlier this year [at Seatrade Cruise Global in Miami], we have advanced our discussions with key industry players on the numerous benefits and the value of installing Seahaven onboard their vessels,' said Richard McCormick, AES and MES product manager at Survitec.

Design 'breakthrough'

'Seahaven not only redefines safety at sea but also revolutionizes the vessel design and the cruise experience,' he continued. 'Cruise ship operators and naval architects are already looking at remodeling the space normally given to conventional lifeboats and davits for additional cabins, enhanced passenger experience and revenue-generating opportunities.'

Mark Darley, chief operations officer at Lloyd’s Register, called Survitec’s Seahaven 'a breakthrough in innovative space-saving design' that will present 'significant opportunities for cruise ship owners whilst prioritizing safety at sea.'

2022 Seatrade Cruise Awards finalist

Seahaven is a finalist for Product of the Year in the 2022 Seatrade Cruise Awards, with winners to be announced at Seatrade Cruise Med in Málaga next week.