Survitec Seahaven gains DNV statement
Survitec has received a formal Technology Qualification Statement from DNV for Seahaven, its Advanced Evacuation System, covering a configuration designed to evacuate up to 1,060 passengers.
Survitec announced that the Seahaven configuration uses two self-propelled inflatable survival craft and four vertical escape helical slides to enable embarkation from the vessel.
DNV carried out the Technology Qualification process in line with DNV Recommended Practice DNV RP A203.
The assessment confirmed that Seahaven had been qualified to operate within defined limits and perform reliably under emergency conditions.
Jonny Whiteside, Chief Operating Officer at Survitec, said: “This Technology Qualification from DNV marks a significant milestone, demonstrating the system’s proven reliability through rigorous testing and independent evaluation.
“It reinforces an already well-established foundation of validation, complementing assessments conducted by Lloyd’s Register, RINA, and Bureau Veritas, and positioning Seahaven as a smarter and safer evacuation solution.”
Whiteside added: “We are advancing strategic discussions with leading operators to install Seahaven across cruise fleets, reflecting strong market interest and a shared commitment to elevating safety standards at sea.”
DNV sets out the technical assessment
DNV said the Technology Qualification work forms a basis for the Alternative Design and Arrangement (AD&A) process for application in passenger vessels.
Dr. Daniel Povel, Senior Principal Specialist Passenger Ship Safety and Risk Assessment at DNV Maritime Advisory stated: “We are pleased to support Survitec in advancing this innovative technology towards application in passenger vessels.
“Through DNV’s Technology Qualification process, the Seahaven system has been independently assessed against defined performance requirements and acceptance criteria.
“The work undertaken in the TQ forms a valuable basis for the Alternative Design and Arrangement (AD&A) process.”
DNV reviewed a technical test and verification programme covering full-scale deployment trials and slide integrity evaluations.
The programme also covered embarkation simulations at maximum capacity, propulsion performance assessments and manoeuvrability trials under representative operating conditions.
The assessment examined structural endurance, redundancy of critical components and resilience under load to confirm sailing-away functionality after evacuation.
DNV also reviewed repeated deployment testing to assess on-demand operational reliability, with the source material stating that existing SOLAS and LSA frameworks do not contain prescriptive reliability requirements for alternative systems of this type.
Survitec said Seahaven is designed as a direct alternative to conventional lifeboats, using propelled inflatable survival units and combining functions usually associated with lifeboats and Marine Evacuation Systems.
With the Technology Qualification completed, the company said it is positioned to move into the AD&A process for newbuild and retrofit passenger vessels.