Viking’s New Shock and Vibration Proof Evacuation System Goes Further in Helping Protect the Lives of Navy Crews
03 May 2006
VIKING leads the way in naval life-saving equipment protection with its new shock and vibration proof Evacuation MiniChute System, the VEMC Navy.
VIKING ensures the integrity of life-saving equipment under impact Currently VIKING is the only supplier of shock and vibration proof life-saving equipment chute systems, ensuring the integrity of life-saving equipment even under extremely demanding impacts.
Naval vessels experience more extreme situations than most other vessels, and it is crucial that the life-saving equipment that is installed on board can withstand heavy stress. Marine evacuation equipment is often the last escape option in emergencies, and it is vital that the equipment functions perfectly when it is needed.
Thoroughly Tested by Independent Naval Authorities
The VEMC system has been thoroughly tested by naval agencies and proven to be entirely effective against vibration and shock impacts in accordance with German navy requirements (Bundeswehr Technical Center for Ship and Naval Weapons - WTD71 – Report no: WTD 71-0013/2005, corresponding to BV0440 and BV 0430 NATO STANTAG). The system was subjected to the required shock and vibration tests, and proved to function perfectly.
SOLAS Approved
The VEMC Navy system is approved according to SOLAS regulations. It can evacuate 356 people within 30 minutes. The liferaft is approved to carry up to 101 evacuees with either a SOLAS A, B or special navy equipped emergency pack.
The VEMC is Self-Contained, Lightweight and Compact
VIKING’s Evacuation MiniChute system is an entirely self-contained mass evacuation system that safely and rapidly evacuates to the liferaft directly from on board ship. The high capacity 101 man liferaft is pre-installed in the system, saving valuable time.
The VEMC is lightweight and compact, and is fully contained in the stowage unit for installation almost anywhere on board; on open deck or between decks in an open recess. Capacity can be adapted to suit any vessel with additional drop liferafts in various sizes, from 25 to 101 man capacity.
Rapid, Simple Deployment
The VEMC is launched by pulling on the slip hook. The chute deploys in free fall and the pre-attached liferaft is then ready for inflation. A sharp pull on the painter line from the deck inflates the liferaft, and the system is ready for evacuation. The entire process takes about 2 minutes.
Exceptionally Stable – Outstandingly Safe
The reinforced Kevlar chute compensates for sea swell, even in heavy weather, ensuring that chute is always clear for evacuees. The inner layer is designed to be comfortable and ensure a safe, steady descent speed to the liferaft. The outer layer ensures the safety of evacuees, and helps to protect them from environmental hazards, such as severe weather conditions.
