An important consideration when investing in safety equipment is servicing in the long run

Liferafts and evacuation systems by VIKING are designed to last. The key to obtaining the maximum lifespan from maritime life-saving equipment is servicing.

VIKING liferafts and evacuation systems are designed to be able to withstand a lifetime onboard a vessel when serviced properly. SOLAS regulations stipulate that evacuation systems and liferafts are serviced once a year. VIKING Service collects equipment from onboard ship, transports it to the nearest servicing station, and returns and reinstalls it again upon servicing completion.

Turnaround time is a question of time and money
A global service network and logistics is more than just a question of convenience. It's also a matter of time and money. VIKING's authorised servicing stations have the appropriate tools, spare parts available and trained personnel to make turnaround as fast as possible.

Servicing is an important factor when choosing the equipment on board
SOLAS rules state that life-saving equipment must be serviced by the manufacturer or a manufacturer approved servicing station, making servicing an important factor when choosing a supplier. A worldwide network of servicing stations reduces possible transportation time and trouble.

Apart from being a requirement, using a manufacturer approved servicing station ensures that the servicing operator is fully trained in servicing the equipment and that the correct spare parts are available. VIKING's unique global servicing network is supported by certified educational programmes, spare parts supply and continually updated online information and manuals.

Drills and testing
Rules govern how often equipment is tested. The ship owner is responsible for ensuring that equipment is tested. Chute and slide systems need to be launched at least once every six years. VIKING assists with system tests and can provide trained personnel to help with testing and arrange for repacking.

Liferafts must be tested once a year at an authorised servicing station. Every fifth year an additional gas inflation, or GI, test needs to be carried out at the station, during which the liferaft must be inflated using its own gas bottle.

VIKING's unique global network means that drills and testing can be performed at customer convenient locations, quickly and professionally.