22 November 2023 – VIKING Life-Saving Equipment, a global leader in maritime safety solutions, is launching an innovative range of lifeboats and davits which set new standards for compact and lightweight lifeboat-based evacuation solutions. By challenging traditional lifeboat design, the 40- and 52-person VIKING Norsafe Totally Enclosed Lifeboats (TELB) respond to a rising tide of industry demand for space- and weight-saving boats for typical crew capacities.
Major shipbuilding clients have requested alternative concepts for vessel types – especially for Offshore Service Operation vessels (SOV) – where onboard space is at a premium and space for the lifeboat and davit installation must be optimised. VIKINGâs response is the âVNJYâ range of lifeboats, which feature a minimal deck footprint, while optimizing capacity and serviceability. In addition, the VNJY features a shorter and wider hull than usual and incorporates an innovative forward steering position that allows for additional space on board.
Using significantly less materials in manufacturing, the new VNJY lifeboats also deliver lower height and weight (up to 400 kg lighter) and are designed to achieve a reduced carbon footprint compared to previous models. The lower weight also reduces loads and the required capacities for the gravity- or hydraulic-powered davits used to launch and recover lifeboats.
The design is certified by DNV to meet SOLAS and LSA requirements. First deliveries, due in Second Quarter 2024, will feature on vessels whose flag states require EU Marine Equipment Directive verification or USCG certification. On the logistics side, two VNJY lifeboats can be shipped on a single 40 ft flat rack, benefiting convenience for VIKINGâs global customer base.
âVIKING Norsafe lifeboats are built to last, which is one reason we have taken so much care over what is truly a step change for lifeboat design after over 20 years of continuous orders for our popular JYN range,â says Thomas Thompson, VIKING Technical Director, Boats & Davits. âSome customers will continue to prefer designs that have served them so well, but VNJY lifeboats offer the space-saving, lightweight solution others have been hoping for. Operators will also appreciate the way the steering position improves visibility, and the stability gains brought by extra width.â
Manufactured in a modular design, the VNJY is easy to adapt to new sizes and requires reduced maintenance efforts. Serviceability has been further enhanced by the smart placement of engines and the hydrostatic release for on-load release hooks. For boats installed where hydrocarbons are present and fire protection is necessary, the new range will come complete with a compressed air system and external seawater deluge.
âThe extensive work VIKING has completed to optimise the new lifeboat range is based on the years of experience available to our team of naval architects and boat-builders, from preliminary design to full prototype testing,â Thompson concludes.
About VIKING
VIKING Life-Saving Equipment A/S is a global leader in maritime, offshore and fire safety solutions.
We manufacture, market and service safety and firefighting equipment for passenger and cargo ships, offshore installations, offshore wind turbines, fishing vessels, navies, helicopter services, fire departments and leisure yachts around the world.
VIKINGâs products protect passengers and crew on many of the worldâs largest cruise liners and cargo ships, and we help to ensure safe conditions for workers on some of the worldâs most advanced offshore platforms.
We also enable shipowners and owners/operators of offshore installations to focus on their business by managing their service tasks and ensuring the regulatory compliance of all their products and solutions.
VIKING is a privately held corporation, founded in 1960. In recent years, VIKING acquired the Norwegian company Norsafe, whose lifeboats have been used around the world since 1904, and Drew Marineâs FSR division, one of the worldâs three largest providers of Marine Fire Service. Headquartered in Esbjerg, Denmark, VIKING products are manufactured in Denmark, Norway, Bulgaria, Greece, China, and Thailand.
