Disclaimer

New concepts for the evacuation of passengers from large ships - March 30^th, 2004

The European SAFECRAFTS project is investigating new concepts for the safe evacuation of passengers from cruise liners and ferries. There are more than forty large cruise liners (average capacity of 2,000 passengers and 1,000 crew) and an enormous fleet of ferries sailing all over the world. There are even ships being built with a capacity in excess of 5,000 passengers. Now that ships are becoming larger and faster, it is advisable to take a look at the safety of existing life-saving equipment. SAFECRAFTS sets out to improve existing life-saving equipment as well as develop new solutions by examining not only the technical aspects but also the human factor.

How to improve current lifesaving appliances.
This project has a clear emphasis on the rescue process by both quantifying the performance of the life saving appliances and improving the concept of reaching the rescue vessel in a safe and reliable manner. The challenge is to exploit a first principles approach in the design of rescue systems for passengers and crew, addressing both hardware and procedures/management. First principles refer to hydromechanics, mechanics, pyrotechnics, human behaviour, quantitative risk assessment and emergency management. Aim must be to prove attained safety levels acceptable to the European Community. Stated safety levels must be supported by sound scientific evidence. In this respect physical model tests and full scale tests will play a decisive role.

The instigator of this project is the Centre for Mechanical and Maritime Constructions (CMC), part of TNO Building and Construction Research, and there is representation from shipyards, ship owners, builders of life-saving equipment, classification institutions, research institutes and universities.

Start 2004, completion end of 2007

With kind regards,
Leo de Vries
Martijn Wolf
Alex Vredeveldt