Design specifications place high demands for compact evacuation systems

When Meyer Werft designed their newest vessels for AIDA Cruises, they needed an exceptionally compact evacuation system. VIKING's evacuation chute system was the natural choice.



Maximum view on new vessels sets the standard for compact evacuation systems
On board the new AIDADiva, AIDA Cruises new 2700 passenger capacity cruise vessel, and her 3 coming sister ships, the main consideration was space. The design required placing the evacuation systems in a limited space between the liferafts and the cabins' balconies - requiring an extremely compact arrangement.

VIKING's Chute systems were chosen because they are the most compact on the market. The VEC chute system arrangement on deck, including the 3 additional liferafts on their rack, has a footprint of only approx. 8 x 2.5 metres. A footprint that no other supplier could match. The racks for holding additional liferafts were specially designed for the AIDADiva. Their unique design holds 3 additional liferafts in almost the same space required for just 2.

Lifejackets chosen for their compact storage and clever design
Storage space can also be an issue even on board large cruise vessels. AIDA Cruises chose VIKING's solid lifejackets because they are compact when folded and their rectangular shape means they are easier to stack. Features such as a V-shaped neck and tapered bottom also make them even safer during evacuation.

Special electrical bowsing winch to make liferaft positioning easier for all crew members
To make manual bowsing of system liferafts easier for smaller or less physically strong crew members, VIKING and one of the world's leading suppliers of winches, Andersen, cooperated to design a special electric bowsing winch for AIDA. Liferafts can now be positioned by pressing a button. The manual option of course remains should the vessel experience a power failure during evacuation.

A combination of the best system and global servicing network
AIDA Cruises tested several systems, and VIKING was chosen as the best solution. VIKING's global servicing network was also a priority.

VIKING and Meyer Werft have had an excellent partnership for many years, and cooperated closely on the project from the design stage.


Technical information: (All four vessels have identical specifications and VIKING supply)

"AIDAdiva"

Company:	AIDA Cruises
Vessel name:	AIDAdiva
Vessel type:	Cruise vessel
Flag:	Italy
Homeport:	Genoa
"Dual flag approval":	USCG
Class:	Germanisher Lloyd (GL)
Engaged on route:	Mediterranean
Yard:	Meyer Werft
Hull no.:	659
Yard delivery :	Maj 2007
No. of pers. on board:	2700
No. of crew:	650
VIKING supply:	2 x VIKING VEC (VIKING Evacuation Chute) (With 3x101 pers. self-righting liferafts, SOLAS A-pack) Additional VIKING 100DKS (101 persons, self-righting) as drop down liferafts positioned in special racks 5800 lifejackets PV9500/PV9501
VIKING delivery:	February 2007
VIKING function test:	March 2007
NB 666
Hull no.:	666
Yard delivery :	2008
VIKING delivery:	February 2008
VIKING function test:	Feb/March 2008
NB 660
Hull no.:	660
Yard delivery :	2009
VIKING delivery:	February 2009
VIKING function test:	Feb/March 2009
NB 680	(Delivery details not yet available)