SAFE IN A TOTALLY ENCLOSED SHELL
The boats are double skinned, with foam buoyancy injected into the space between the inner and outer elements. The boats also have dedicated buoyancy tanks. This means that the boats are unsinkable, even if damaged and in a fully flooded condition. The craft has a positive stability up to 180o and is self-righting, both when intact and in a flooded condition. The steering rudder nozzle has been specially designed to give maximum thrust from the propeller. The lifeboat system is robust and can easily withstand the powerful winds and high waves associated with extreme weather conditions.
The boat is equipped with on-load lifting hooks which are controlled from a release handle mounted at the steering position. Hooks will release simultaneously when the craft is fully waterborne. All Norsafe conventional lifeboats can be delivered with Norsafe’s new TOR MK2 release system.
FIRE PROTECTING SYSTEM
The fire protecting spray system pump takes sea water from the lowest possible location under the boat. The spray system provides water over the entire surface of the craft (1200 l/min). The compressed air system has a sufficient capacity to provide air for a minimum of 10 minutes. The over pressure inside the craft prevents the intake of toxic fumes or gas. Provisions have been made to recharge the air system from the ship’s compressed air system.
FIRE TEST
When Norsafe carried out a fire test in cooperation with the Norwegian technical laboratory, SINTEF, a lifeboat was placed inside an oil boom, filled with 4,000 litres of kerosene in a 10 cm thick layer on the water. The kerosene was lit, so that the boat was completely enclosed in flames for 111⁄2 minutes. SINTEF measured temperatures up to 1,200°C within 10cm from the lifeboat hull. Inside the boat, the temperature was measured at 27°C and the air quality inside was normal during the entire test. The boats can withstand these temperatures because of the deluge system, covering the entire boat surface in seawater, in combination with fire retardant glassfibre reinforced polyester construction. Air bottles supply both the engine and passengers with fresh air for a minimum of 10 minutes.
