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.

5 Steps to Staying Afloat | Drowning Prevention Day 2025

The purpose of Drowning Prevention Day is to raise awareness and inform others on the life-saving steps you can take to prevent drowning.

Taking place on the 25th of July, Drowning Prevention Day aligns with the start of the summer holidays, a time when thousands flock to the coasts and swim in the sea.

Lifeguard enforcing drowning prevention on a busy beach — *Credit: RNLI*

A tragic average of 300,000 people, globally, drown annually, a statistic that is far too high. In an attempt to reduce the excessive number of drowning casualties, this national day teaches individuals how to survive and save their peers.

The 2025 Drowning Prevention Day Focus

At the Maritime Skills Academy, we are focusing on RNLI’s excellent “Float To Live” campaign and reinforcing the steps individuals can take if they do find themselves starting to drown.

Whether you are swimming in a pool or in the sea during the summer, there should always be a trained safety professional nearby. Lifeguards, Coastguards, and the RNLI are always on call to deal with drowning emergencies. However, depending on the tide, how far from shore you are and how busy the area is, rescue can take time. It is important to be prepared to remain calm and wait.

Here we will cover the key steps to staying afloat and what you should do if you panic and begin to drown.

What to do if you start drowning

Relax: As difficult as this may seem at the time, relaxing your body will increase buoyancy and conserve your energy. Especially in colder waters, it’s incredibly crucial that you conserve your energy by moving as little as possible.
Keep your face above the water with your ears submerged: When you begin drowning, the main focus is keeping your nose and mouth above water, keeping your airways clear.
Keep your arms beneath the surface and move them in small circular motions: Having your arms break the water’s surface will increase your chances of becoming submerged. Performing small circular motions with your arms will act as a form of treading water and will shift the focus from panic to.
If you can, raise your arm and signal for help: During the summer, the coastguard and lifeguards will be on the lookout for incidents, but also the busy beaches means that you’re more likely to be spotted. So, if you are unable to lift your arm or signal for help, it may only take a little longer for the situation to be noticed.
Try to swim to safety: Even the strongest of swimmers can find themselves in trouble in the water, but it’s vital that you point your head towards safety and continue with circular arm motions beneath the water, helping you to drift in the right direction.

Our Mission at the MSA

Our purpose at the MSA is Setting New Standards Together. Our training is specifically designed to improve the safety of seafarers both during their roles onboard and in the event of emergencies ashore.

people on a rescue drill at an indoor pool

As part of the STCW Basic Safety Training course, our expert instructors teach Personal Survival Techniques (PST). This course trains delegates to be prepared for an abandon ship scenario. Using our full weather simulation survival pool, we can train crew to survive in the water, upright life rafts, rescue casualties, and make their way to safety.

If you are interested in participating in a Personal Survival Techniques course, contact us today to find out more.

Understanding the Dangers of Enclosed Space Entry on Ships: Why Training and Awareness Matter

Enclosed space entry remains a significant contributor to seafarer fatalities and poses a hidden danger on board many vessels.

Without proper training and precautions, crew members face serious threats, including asphyxiation, toxic exposure, and entrapment in confined spaces such as ballast tanks, cargo hold and other compartments with inadequate ventilation.

The Statistics Behind the Risk

According to the UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB), “nearly 60% of fatalities in enclosed space incidents involve would-be rescuers.” These are often colleagues who rush in without protective equipment or proper procedures, attempting to save an incapacitated crewmate, putting themselves also at risk.

Delegate climbing ladder in enclosed space

According to the IMO, enclosed space incidents account for approximately 15% of all shipboard fatalities. Over the past decade, the industry has recorded more than 100 fatalities linked to these extreme environments.

A 2020 report by the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) identified insufficient training, complacency, and a lack of safety protocols as key factors in most incidents. There are regulatory frameworks in place to prevent these fatalities, which outline safety measures for entering enclosed spaces. However, the risk remains high due to lapses in training, education, and onboard culture.

Reinforcing the Message at the Maritime Skills Academy

At the Maritime Skills Academy (MSA), Operations Director, Mark Jaenicke, attended the UK Chamber of Shipping’s Safety Culture Conference, held in Newcastle earlier this year, where it was highlighted that enclosed space entry is a critical safety issue.

The conference emphasised the urgent need to embed a culture of safety at all levels of maritime operations. Key discussions from industry speakers focused on the role of leadership in shaping attitudes towards risk, the value of reflective learning from incidents, and the need for stronger accountability systems on board.

The conference emphasised that safety culture encompasses not only policies and training, but also mindset, communication, and empowerment. Enclosed space entry has been cited as a prime example of where gaps in culture can lead to fatal consequences, making it essential that safety initiatives address both technical training and behavioural change.

Why Enclosed Spaces Are So Dangerous

The atmosphere inside an enclosed space can quickly become hazardous and even deadly. Possible threats may arise from reduced oxygen levels, the presence of flammable or toxic gases, and the potential for sudden shifts in pressure or contents.

Delegate entering trap door into enclosed space

Gases, such as hydrogen sulfide or carbon monoxide, are odourless and lethal even in small concentrations. Without proper testing and monitoring, crew members may unknowingly enter an environment that is immediately harmful.

Industry Recommendations and Best Practices

To mitigate these risks, the maritime industry emphasises:

Robust Training – Crew members must receive MNTB or flag-state-recognised training in enclosed space entry and rescue. Training should include hazard recognition, use of gas detection instruments, proper PPE, and emergency procedures.
Strict Permit-to-Work Systems – No one should enter an enclosed space without a properly completed entry permit, confirming that the atmosphere has been tested and deemed safe.
Use of Monitoring Equipment – Continuous gas monitoring and ventilation systems must be in place before and during entry.
Drills and Emergency Planning – Regular emergency response drills should be conducted, including scenarios involving enclosed spaces.
Safety Culture and Leadership – Companies must foster a culture where safety is prioritised over speed or convenience, and crew members are empowered to stop unsafe operations.

Enclosed space entry remains a persistent and deadly risk onboard ships. Although the industry has made progress in implementing safe practices, real change comes from up-to-date training, leadership commitment, and crew vigilance.

Mark Jaenicke and Matt Horton attending the UK Chamber of shipping Safety Culture Conference

Both the UK Chamber of Shipping Safety Culture Conference and the Joint Industry Workshop reinforced the same message:

“Investment in safety education and embracing an educational culture onboard will improve enclosed space safety and reduce fatalities.”

How the MSA is Helping Reduce Enclosed Space Entry Fatalities

Through continual learning and training, our centre in Dover is equipped with a custom-built enclosed space hatch, allowing delegates to practice safe entry and exit into enclosed spaces.

With available dates for 2025, and 2026 dates soon to be released, you can view the full course details here.

Tag: Training Course