Survival Craft has won offshore contracts potentially worth a total of £5 million to supply new lifeboats that meet key upgrade requirements.

Among Survival Craft's clients are Apache, BP, Chevron, Maersk Oil and Marathon, which have all agreed supply contracts for the upgrading of their UK-located fixed installations.

The upgrades are in accordance with the companies' obligations as duty holders, taking into account the Health and Safety Executive's Big Persons in Lifeboats Guidance Information Sheet 12/2008 for offshore installations, published in December 2008.

The move has been prompted by the need for operators to comply with the Offshore Installations (Prevention of Fire and Explosion, and Emergency Response) Regulations by taking "adequate account of the current average weight and size of persons when determining the suitability of the lifeboats provided on offshore installations."

Survival Craft managing director Angus Campbell said that contracts involve design, manufacture, installation, and commissioning, adding that the first upgraded lifeboats were now being delivered.

Mr. Campbell added, "These operators have put safety first by committing to upgrade their offshore lifeboats to meet the HSE guidance criteria, and we commend them for their proactive approach.

"We have worked closely with our customers, advising on how to reduce total cost of ownership by designing new lifeboats which are capable of accommodating 115 persons at 98kg and can be installed into their existing davit systems, while complying with the relevant safety case and thorough review summaries."

Mr. Campbell said that Survival Craft had won the contracts on the basis of the company's proven track record, design and technical expertise, and for setting exceptionally high safety standards.

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