Questions and answers for VIKING material in connection with the TRITON accident

In connection with the tragic accident on the 19th of December 2006 during which a Danish marine constable from the inspection ship Triton died off the coast of Iceland, there have, over the past few weeks, been several articles in the newspaper Politiken on VIKING's life-saving equipment and test procedures. Out of respect for survivors and not least for the victim's relatives, VIKING does not wish to enter into a media debate on the rescue operation itself. We are awaiting the report from the accident investigation board (the Havarikommission). When we have received the report, we will, in cooperation with the Danish Navy (Søværnet), take those actions necessary.

On the 25th of February 2008, VIKING gained temporary access to read through the accident report made by the auditor corps. To counter any misunderstanding, incomplete information and undocumented claims that have appeared in the press, we wish to clarify VIKING's material, use of certification system and to provide information about how VIKING tests safety equipment, including equipment used in the rescue action concerned.

Was the equipment defective or inadequate? The equipment used in the rescue action is tested and approved according to all relevant international and national requirements. It is therefore unreasonable to claim that the tragic accident could have been avoided through the use of other equipment tested and approved according to the same regulations. Both the auditor corps and VIKING have subsequently examined every suit and lifejacket used in the rescue action, and there are no indications that the equipment used off the coast of Iceland was defect in any way. Examinations indicate, however, that the equipment has been exposed to far more extreme powers of nature in relation to the rescue action than those for which the equipment is tested. This caused several straps on the vests to tear, and one suit out of the eight has lost its gloves. All hoods are intact and remain on the eight suits. They have thus not been "swept" away as described in the article in the newspaper Politiken.

Is the equipment used suitable for that type of operation?

When discussing professional rescue equipment in general, even normal conditions are demanding. But the material has of course its limitations if the extremes that it faces combine and become too fierce. Our experience is that the Navy is very careful when choosing equipment so that the equipment will live up to the conditions in which the equipment is expected to be used.

How does VIKING test its equipment? Testing equipment such as that used in the rescue action is a long and complicated process, with a host of different tests performed in controlled conditions. For example, buddy lines and lifting beckets are tested with a load of up to 320kg, and the strength of the equipment is tested by jumping from a height of 4.5 metres into a swimming pool with inflated buoyancy chambers. The tragic accident shows that we need to test for even more extreme conditions than those required by SOLAS regulations. VIKING has therefore started developing new test methods that can, for example, simulate very heavy surf where waves crash down with enormous power. How is the equipment certified? All VIKING's rescue equipment meets every relevant requirement. Before rescue equipment can be sold, it needs to be approved by authorities, which is of course also the case here. IMO is the International Maritime Organisation under the FN that stipulates requirements and standards for equipment on commercial vessels.

The SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) convention, LSA code and IMO resolution MSC.81(70) are the IMO standards according to which VIKING works. Our equipment is tested according to these requirements, after which FORCE Dantest-CERT in the town of Brøndby issues certification. All tests are performed by an independently accredited institute.

CEN is the European standardisation organ that stipulates all EN standards. CEN is the union of all national standardising organisations in Europe. One of their standards is the EN 399 standard according to which all work lifejackets are certified. VIKING has its equipment tested according to these requirements, after which FORCE Dantest-CERT issues the certification. All tests are performed by an independently accredited institute.

Production and quality control

When VIKING has received approval from the authorities, we commence production of the rescue equipment. We are certified according to DS/EN 9001:2000 and continually check our production processes to ensure that rescue equipment is of high and uniform quality. VIKING performs 100% checks on all suits and lifejackets it produces.

The authorities also carry out regular inspections to ensure that production is carried out according to the relevant regulations and quality standards, and is subjected to a continual, approved quality control system.

Will VIKING change its materials or tests as a result of the accident?

VIKING's rescue materials are continually developed and improved. VIKING will also gather all possible experience from this incident with a view to further developing rescue equipment, even though this will be interpreted by some that "there was something the matter after all".

We can never guarantee that tragic accidents with loss of life will not occur. Rescue equipment is by definition used in extreme situations. But it is our duty to always evaluate and draw experience from those accidents which regrettably occur. And we will also do so in this case.

VIKING will implement the aforementioned new test methods as soon as they have been fully developed. Furthermore, we will inform the IMO and CEN of these new methods with a view to them being adopted into international standards.

Comparison of VIKING equipment to equipment used in Norway

The newspaper, Politiken, has implied that VIKING's equipment would not be approved in Norway and in other places with extreme temperature and weather conditions. This is not correct. VIKING delivers a large number of protective suits for use in Arctic conditions every year.

In addition, the newspaper Politiken has mistakenly confused the rescue equipment used with helicopter transportation suits that are designed for an entirely different purpose and to a completely different specification. Helicopter rescue suits are not suitable for use as work suits in a rescue situation.

Furthermore, VIKING's helicopter transportation suits were tested together with the Norwegian competitor's suit mentioned and VIKING's suit fulfils all the requirements.