Marine Evacuation Systems (MES ): Safety at Sea

In the maritime industry, evacuation and safety systems are vital in the event of an emergency. Arguably, none are as critical as the Marine Evacuation System (MES). Saving countless lives year on year, MES systems are designed to be utilised on large vessels, carrying thousands of passengers.

For this reason, it is imperative that crew should be properly trained and able to guide passengers through the various marine evacuation systems available on board.

At the Maritime Skills Academy, our hands-on training prepares crew for onboard emergencies with two industry-leading technologies, Brude and VIKING LSE.

What is a Marine Evacuation System (MES)?

Marine Evacuation Systems (MES) are inflatable evacuation systems that allow for quick and controlled descent from a ship into life rafts. The most common type of MES is the chute-based system, which connects the ship to life rafts via a vertical or inclined inflatable chute.

These systems are designed to deploy within minutes and accommodate large numbers of people efficiently, even in challenging sea conditions.

Why Are MES Used on Ships?

MES are used on large passenger vessels, mainly due to the majority of people onboard not being trained or prepared for emergencies. These are optimal for their general ease of use and efficiency in evacuating passengers quickly.

Fastest Marine Evacuation Solution

In the event of a fire, collision, sinking, or any situation where all on board will be required to abandon ship, an MES system is the fastest solution. With multiple MES chutes installed onboard, multiple evacuations can take place simultaneously.

Ease of use

Marine Evacuation Systems are very straightforward to use. This means that passengers can descend calmly, leaving enough time for crew to follow suit. The MES will also offer a controlled descent, allowing evacuees to determine their pace, reducing overall stress.

Independent Operation

If a vessel is in an emergency situation that has caused power outages or poses a danger if power is used, the ideal evacuation system will be independent from the ship’s electrical operations. MES systems are manually deployed by a specialised, dedicated crew, which means they can be used in almost any emergency event.

MES SOLAS regulations

To ensure international safety standards are met, every passenger vessel must harbour a Marine Evacuation System onboard, that has been inspected within the last six years. Crew are also required to be trained in the operation of the Marine Evacuation System they have on board their vessel, which will most likely be a VIKING or Brude system.

Types of Ships That Use MES

MES are typically found on passenger ferries, cruise ships, Ro-Ro vessels, highspeed crafts and offshore installations.

VIKING LSE Marine Evacuation System entrance

These vessels often carry hundreds or thousands of passengers and crew, making fast and efficient evacuation systems essential.

Benefits of MES Chutes

Speed

Marine Evacuation Systems can deploy and be ready for use in under 90 seconds which makes them the perfect solution for onboard emergency and mass evacuation.

Capacity

Some Marine Evacuation Systems can evacuate over 600 people in 30 minutes. For ferries and cruise ships, this is a significant benefit, as they transport a large number of people.

Safety

Lifeboat launches can be unpleasant, uncomfortable and in worst case scenarios, fatal. MES Chutes are a safer, easier solution that can provide a smooth evacuation for all, even without experience.

Compact storage

MES systems are small and compact. Taking up significantly less room than lifeboats or davit storage. They are also easy to deploy by comparison, making for a more pleasant environment especially onboard cruise ships, where passengers are expecting luxury.

Training at Maritime Skills Academy (MSA)

At the Maritime Skills Academy, our Marine Evacuation System training is designed to prepare crew for emergency evacuations. Teaching not only how to depart the vessel themselves, but how to encourage and explain the process to peers. Community and teamwork are essential in an onboard emergency and crew will be required to guide passengers through the evacuation scenario, should it occur.

Delegate training at the top of Brude Marine Evacuation System

Delegate training at the top of Viking LSE Marine Evacuation System

Why Choose MSA for MES Training?

At the Maritime Skills Academy, our expert instructors provide training in accredited courses for both MES systems mentioned in this piece. Simulating real-world scenarios and guiding delegates through their descent.

Emergency Response and Rescue Planning: Preparing for Enclosed Space Incidents

Enclosed spaces are inherently dangerous and hazardous environments, even with proper training and leadership, with most oversights and casualties occurring during entry and extraction.

To prevent these incidents, the correct preparations prior to entry and extraction are essential. At the Maritime Skills Academy, our Entry into Enclosed Spaces course is the best solution for training your crew in planning and preparation, thereby minimising casualties and accidents.

Why is rescue planning important?

Statistically, over 60% of enclosed space casualties are crew members who have entered an enclosed space incorrectly in an attempt to rescue a peer. This is indicative of the importance of knowledge and training in equipment, team roles, communication and best practice. At the Maritime Skills Academy, we instruct crew on the necessary steps before entering enclosed spaces. This is exercised in a controlled, simulated scenario where delegates can enter an enclosed space, putting their training into practice and rescuing a casualty.

Enclosed space delegate conducting rescue planning practice before extracting a casualty

“During our last enclosed space drill, I was part of the standby team. The training helped me stay calm and follow procedures. I feel confident that if a real incident happened, we could respond safely and efficiently.” – Junior Safety Officer who attended MSA Dover Enclosed Space Training course.

What are the five most important elements of rescue planning?

Enclosed Space Risk Assessment Before Entry

As emphasized in STCW standards and MNTB guidance, every enclosed space entry must begin with a thorough evaluation of hazards. Identifying hazards before entering will reduce the risk of unexpected situations and create a clear plan that crew can follow.

Dedicated Standby Personnel

During enclosed space entry, it is important to have a standby team on hand, should an accident occur. This group should also be fully competent in their abilities.

As identified, the majority of enclosed space casualties result from attempted rescues. Consequently, having a trained team on standby means that more than one crew member will be available to assist with the extraction, leading to a higher survival rate.

Oxygen Resuscitators and Medical Equipment

It is an industry requirement for ships to be equipped with oxygen supplies, tanks, and breathing apparatus, as well as resuscitation equipment. Crew should be trained and confident of the use of which. Enclosed space entry can increase the risk of being exposed to hazardous gases, so standby teams will need to be prepared to handle resuscitation.

Rescue Equipment Familiarisation

During enclosed space entry, crew will be required to deploy lifelines, harnesses, and breathing apparatus. At our training centre in Kent, we simulate a realistic environment where crew can practice techniques and familiarise themselves with industry-standard equipment.

Clear Communication Protocols

Enclosed spaces can be dark, long, and winding, so standby teams will not be able to see what is happening inside. Using radio or wired communication will mean standby teams can evaluate the situation and guide the rescuer through the operation. Our training course allows delegates to practice clear radio communication and effective teamworking skills.

Drills and Training

In order for training to be efficient and beneficial, drills must be conducted under time constraints and with similar simulated conditions. Using the correct PPE, equipment, and procedures will ensure crew are as prepared as possible for an onboard emergency.

Officers and authorised personnel should be involved in the training to give instruction and allow crew to understand their leadership style. Recreating an emergency and completing training in full will prepare crew and give them the confidence to step up in unforeseen situations.

enclosed space delegates extracting a casualty

By adhering to international standards and following industry leadership, crew will be trained in how to respond to the unexpected while keeping themselves and their peers safe. A consistent and well-structured rescue plan alongside regular drills and training will help the maritime industry reduce the number of tragedies that can be attributed to enclosed space entry.

At the Maritime Skills Academy, our Enclosed Space Entry and Rescue Training courses are designed to equip safety officers, senior officers, and crew with the knowledge, confidence, and practical skills they need. We provide STCW and MNTB-recognised training that supports ship operators in meeting compliance requirements while building a stronger safety culture onboard.

Investing in proper training with the Maritime Skills Academy ensures crew are better prepared to prevent incidents and respond effectively when emergencies occur.

Enclosed Space Training: The Role of Technology in Protecting Seafarers

Enclosed spaces remain one of the most hazardous environments onboard vessels. In our previous blog, it was evident that crew members are most vulnerable to enclosed space emergencies and should be the priority when it comes to training.

Over the past few years, we have witnessed the development of technology both onboard and in training environments. Now we are starting to see technology that can help to reduce risks and improve enclosed space safety, including portable detection devices and remote monitoring systems.

The Growing Role of Technology in Enclosed Space Training

Although traditional safety precautions, such as practice drills, are still essential to onboard safety, the introduction of new technologies can be used on top of these practices to provide an additional level of protection. Modern technology can help responders identify hazards before entering an enclosed space. This can include: Portable multi-gas detectors, Wearable Monitoring Devices, Remote Ventilation and Purging Systems, Drones and Robotics and Communication systems.

Delegate lowering into enclosed space hatch

InterManager has collected statistics showing that since 1996, 310 people lost their lives in enclosed spaces on ships. A large number of enclosed space casualties are caused by asphyxiation or unknown dangerous gasses. Having access to life saving technology and being educated in its use can reduce the risk of casualties and ultimately, save lives.

Alignment With Industry Standards

Regulatory bodies such as The International Maritime Organization (IMO), STCW Standards and The Merchant Navy Training Board (MNTB) all speak on the importance of educating crew on the use and risk assessment of equipment. Crew should be trained and tested to an achievable industry standard level. Similarly, technology should be kept up to date, and users should be regularly trained on how to use the equipment to its full potential.

Despite being a powerful tool, technology should not replace training and traditional safety practices. The combination of industry-standard training, STCW regulations, and education on technological advancements will give seafarers the best possible chance of safe entry into enclosed spaces.

How the Maritime Skills Academy is shaping Enclosed Space Training

At the Maritime Skills Academy, we provide Bahamas, MNTB, Ofqual and MNTB-recognised training that supports ship operators in meeting compliance requirements while building a stronger safety culture onboard. Our enclosed space training ensures your crew are prepared for onboard emergencies and in a position to operate technological equipment safely.

Two delegates aiding a simulated casualty in an enclosed space at MSA

By simulating realistic conditions, crew can be prepared to respond to emergency situations in enclosed spaces. If crew are trained in enclosed space entry and educated on the correct procedures, the risk of panic and confusion in real emergencies is significantly reduced.

Book your MNTB Entry Into Enclosed Space course with the Maritime Skills Academy to find out how we can support your crew.