Australian Antarctic Division to receive life-saving appliances from Norsafe

Norway's Norsafe Group has won a deal from Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding to provide its life-saving appliances (LSA) to a new arctic supply and research vessel to be operated by Australian Antarctic Division.

Norsafe has agreed to provide the vessel with two JYN-85 conventional lifeboats with LH-140 davits under the deal, as well as two JYN-115 lifeboats with LH-185 davits.

All the AISs to be provided for the new vessel are compliant with International Maritime Organisation (IMO) polar code.

Norsafe Group technical R/D project manager Erik Mostert said: “Winning these contracts is vindication for the huge amount of work carried out by the team here at Norsafe to ensure that our specialised LSA is adapted for the most extreme cold weather conditions.

“We have to ensure our equipment will withstand at least ten days in the harsh Polar environment.”

"Winning these contracts is vindication for the huge amount of work carried out by Norsafe to ensure that our LSA is adapted for the most extreme conditions."

Norsafe participated in a joint stakeholder search and rescue (SAR-EX) expedition to test and trial its LSA equipments back in April, accompanied by the Norwegian Coast Guard, Norwegian Maritime Authorities, Norwegian Petroleum Safety Authorities and other parties.

Full-scale tests and exercises were performed on the LSA equipments in both simulated and realistic polar conditions during the expedition, in order to document the performance of the products.

The exercises also included specific risk analysis to assess and mitigate potential risks, as well as demonstrate compliance with the safety code.

Image: Rendering of Australian Antarctic Division’s new research vessel. Photo: courtesy of Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding.