Norsafe Freefall Lifeboat Spurs Huge Demand

Norsafe received orders worth NOK 400-million (US$ 45.3-million) over the course of October 2012, & backlog at record height.

"It is Norsafe’s newly developed GES50 MKIII freefall lifeboat which accounts for the bulk of these orders," says CEO Geir Skaala, adding that the international demand for this product is fantastic.

GES50 MKIII (Gravity Escape System) is certified according to the DNV-OS-E406, the world's strictest requirements for freefall lifesaving systems, applicable on the Norwegian continental shelf from 2015. "The boat is the first model in a series of three newly developed freefall lifeboats in compliance with these new regulations", adds Geir Skaala.

GES50 MKIII is 50 foot long, has a capacity for 70 persons, and is certified for drop heights of up to 47 metres. The market's most advanced freefall lifeboat has achieved these tremendous results after having undergone a series of extreme tests, including a drop-test from 61.53 metres.

Users of the new lifeboats are oil companies, rig owners and operators who are committed to safety, often operating under the toughest possible weather conditions found in the North Sea, Barents Sea and the North Atlantic. Among the customers are Songa Offshore SE (Statoil), Seadrill Limited, Floatel International Ltd and Axis Offshore.

Norsafe Group has its headquarters at Tromøy outside Arendal in Norway.