Accident highlights good safety procedures

05 December 2007

The recent sinking of the cruise ship MS Explorer as she headed towards Antarctica dramatically highlighted the necessity of good safety procedures at sea.

Reports of the incident - in which 86 passengers and 66 crew had to take to the lifeboats - indicated that, despite the gravity of the situation facing the vessel, which later sank, there was no panic.

First officer Peter Svensson told Reuters news agency: "No one was hysterical, they were just sitting there nice and quiet, because we knew there were ships coming."

And passengers said that, as the vessel keeled over into the icy waters, they were ordered to abandon ship and climb into the lifeboats. But there was no panic.

As they mustered to await the order to abandon ship they were issued with the inherently buoyant Cosalt Premier lifejackets, which are noted for being particularly easy to don and are sufficiently compact to provide easy storage.

These lifejackets are   carried on ferries, cruise ships, charter vessels and small fishing boats across the world.

Fully certified by the UK Marine and Coastguard Agency (MCA), Lloyds Register and meeting ISO Solas Resolution A(689)17, the Premier  is also approved in Finland, Sweden, Romania, Norway, Japan, Netherlands, China and Germany.

Cosalt Managing Director Winston Phillips said: "The Premier lifejackets issued to crew and passengers incorporate the very latest in design techniques and in material and floatation technology.

"They were put to the test in a situation which could have been very serious indeed and without doubt played a vital role in helping ensure that all those on the Explorer were kept safe until help arrived.

"We have been involved in the design and development of safety equipment since the fishing industry first began to develop and well over a century of expertise goes into products like these."

Editor's note

For more information contact Cosalt's marketing and communications manager Sarah Avery on 01472 504288 or email Sarah.Avery@Cosalt.co.uk