SPIRIT of Tasmania’s new ro-pax ferries will be equipped with advanced fire-fighting systems under a contract awarded to safety equipment supplier Survitec.
LNG dual-fuelled ferries Spirit of Tasmania IV and Spirit of Tasmania V are currently under construction at the Rauma Marine Construction shipyard in Finland, scheduled to be delivered in 2023 and 2024.
Survitec’s scope of supply includes Novenco Fire Fighting (NFF) XFlow Water Mist systems for machinery spaces and accommodation areas and an NFF XFlow Deluge system for car decks.
It also includes a dry powder fire suppression system for the ships’ LNG bunkering stations, a deep fat fryer fire extinguishing system and a carbon dioxide system for the vessels’ galley ducts.
Survitec Poland general manager Michał Peruga said the company has the ability to look beyond simple equipment supply to provide complete fire safety solutions for all areas of the ships.
He said Survitec’s technical team helped the shipyard and owner navigate complex mandatory regulations around the design, installation and operation of a fire suppression system.
“Our NFF XFlow technology uses a combination of fine water droplets and water mist,” Mr Peruga said.
“The system can be activated immediately, without the need to evacuate first, which reduces the risk of damage to machinery and other critical installations.
“It makes the system more efficient for certain types of fires compared to high pressure water mist systems, even though both systems have to pass the same test.”
Survitec is the same company which designed, installed and commissioned the advanced fire-fighting systems on Yara Birkeland, the world’s first fully electric and autonomous containership.
Survitec commercial director of fire solutions Finn Lende-Harung said dual-fuel systems and alternative fuels are setting new standards for fire safety in the industry.
“Shipowners and builders are looking for suppliers capable of providing technical support to high-value projects throughout the entire life span of a vessel,” Mr Lende-Harung said.
“We work hard not only to keep on top of the latest changes in legislation but also to offer through-life benefits that help with the total cost of ownership – from the design and construction phase through to operation and servicing.”
Rauma Marine Constructions CEO Mika Laurilehto said Survitec’s ability to offer a full range of fire safety systems allowed the shipbuilder to streamline the design and procurement process.
“The agreement we have with Spirit of Tasmania is for a pair of world-class ferries capable of meeting exacting standards in terms of safety, reliability and customer service,” he said.
