Survitec’s Seahaven evacuation system receives Bureau Veritas approval
Survival technology provider Survitec’s Seahaven evacuation system has received a formal Review Attestation from the Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore (BV) as a novel life-saving appliance (LSA) under IMO Resolution A.520(13).
The attestation acknowledges Seahaven’s role as a safety evacuation solution for high-capacity passenger vessels, including cruise ships.
The Seahaven system is designed to safely evacuate up to 1,060 persons in under 22 minutes through two survival crafts and four helical slides.
The system’s rapid boarding feature through vertical helical slides has been extensively tested with a diverse range of passengers, including those with reduced mobility.
Each survival craft can accommodate 530 individuals and is equipped with twin SOLAS and MED-approved diesel outboard engines.
Bureau Veritas conducted a thorough technical review of Seahaven, encompassing its design, documentation, performance testing, and supporting calculations to ensure the system’s compliance with the necessary safety regulations and requirements.
Performance tests demonstrated Seahaven’s compliance, showcasing successful deployment in challenging weather conditions, including sea states equivalent to Beaufort Force 6 and wave heights of 3m.
The attestation also verified the craft’s endurance and towing capabilities, as well as its environmental resilience.
Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore president Matthieu de Tugny said: “The Seahaven system introduces a powerful solution for passenger evacuation, meeting evolving maritime safety needs and paving the way for wider adoption. Safety is always our first priority.
“BV is pleased to support stakeholders, like Survitec, to help make sure innovations align with global safety standards.”
The validation of Seahaven’s capabilities by BV complements a study by naval architects Foreship, presented at Seatrade Cruise Global 2025, which outlined the benefits of incorporating the system into cruise ship designs.
Seahaven’s modular design allows for flexible installation on newbuilds and retrofits, with a maximum installation height of 28m.
To support the deployment of Seahaven, Survitec has prepared comprehensive training plans, service documentation, and lifecycle support, in line with SOLAS Regulation III/20.
Survitec is now in discussions with customers and shipyards to move forward with early implementation projects for the Seahaven system.
Survitec COO Claude Sada said: “The endorsement by BV validates years of engineering, operational testing, and consultation with ship owners and yards.
“This attestation is a milestone to broader market readiness. It affirms not just the technical integrity of the system, but its relevance to ship operators who need smarter, safer solutions that reduce complexity and improve survivability.”
In related news, Gaztransport & Technigaz (GTT) has also received two Approvals in Principle (AiP) from BV for its new ethane cargo containment systems.
After reviewing GTT’s documentation, BV confirmed compliance with the IGC Code for the construction and equipment of ships carrying liquefied gases in bulk.
