System for evacuation of personnel from a capsized vessel

Abstract

System for evacuation of personnel from a capsized vessel via a lockable escape hatch (103) in the bottom of said vessel, characterized in that the system comprises a first lockable escape hatch (105), said first lockable escape hatch (105) leads to an evacuation room (107), said room (107) is provided with a second lockable escape hatch (103), said room (107) is illuminated by lamps (201) receiving energy from a battery pack (202) not connected to the said vessel's energy system, said first and second lockable escape hatch (103, 105) cannot be opened simultaneously, in relation to said first lockable escape hatch (105) it is connected a device (106) for climbing, said climbing device (106) unfolds when the said vessel has a lopsidedness in excess of a pre-determined number of degrees.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD[0001]The present invention regards a device and a procedure for the evacuation of a vessel, and especially the evacuation of a capsized vessel and where the remaining escape routes for various reasons cannot be used.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]When a vessel capsizes the problem arises that the people on board cannot take advantage of the common emergency exits in a ship. This is because they are either under water or are difficult to use due to the fact that they are upside down. In addition, there arises a problem that people who are in the bottom of the vessel, such as the engine room, must find his way out of the vessel when it is upside down and out through escape routes that might be filled with water.[0003]Furthermore, it is important that the watertight bulkheads are closed as quickly as possible to prevent the vessel filling up with water in order to prevent it from sinking. There is thus a danger in a capsize that people are trapped inside the boat, and...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention aims to solve the problems of having to use emergency exits on the outside of a vessel in case of a capsize. The solution is to have emergency exits in the bottom of the vessel that can be opened from the inside.

Problems solved by technology

When a vessel capsizes the problem arises that the people on board cannot take advantage of the common emergency exits in a ship.

This is because they are either under water or are difficult to use due to the fact that they are upside down.

In addition, there arises a problem that people who are in the bottom of the vessel, such as the engine room, must find his way out of the vessel when it is upside down and out through escape routes that might be filled with water.

There is thus a danger in a capsize that people are trapped inside the boat, and must be cut out.

There is at the present time no effective solution for evacuation of a capsized vessel and in the report “Risk Estimates for domestic ferry traffic 2008”, conducted by the Norwegian Maritime Directorate, the Norwegian Public Roads Administration and the National Association for Shipping Companies, it is concluded that the “capsize is an accident type with low probability but potentially major consequences.”

After having run aground on an unmarked nine meter shallow MS “Rocknes” got stability problems and started tilting towards starboard.

Images