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Life−saving

Trial

by

fire

W

ith several years’ When asked what he believes are through experiences and requirements
experience in type the most important issues concerning based on the achievement of safety.

approved permanent fire fire-fighting equipment, Mr Papachatzis Old and new regulations come as a

extinguishing systems and fire alarms, said: “The safety of human life and whole to regulate the operation of the
Nicholas Papachatzis founded cargo depends on appropriate marine ship. On the other hand, there are

Discovery Marine in 1997. Discovery equipment, proper maintenance and examples where new regulations come
Marine has, to date, installed, modified the proper training of crew members. into force without primarily studying

and commissioned over 150 permanent Fire is one of the biggest threats to the possible difficulties in
fire suppression systems on vessels ships. For this reason the International implementing them.”

worldwide, such as drill platforms for Explaining his views on how Maritime Organization regulations
Saipem, frigates for the Norwegian management systems can contribute to imposed by the annual maintenance of

Navy, tankers for Navion and Stolt vessel safety, he added: “Management fire-fighting equipment and life-saving
Nielsen, and cruise vessels for Disney systems started in order to contribute to by authorised service stations around

Cruise Lines.the safer running of vessels. This was the the world are critical.

Today, Discovery Marine caters for “During the inspections we carry out primary purpose of creating such
all vessels’ fire-fighting needs, including onboard vessels, we have found from systems, these systems contain the

CO2 permanent fire extinguishing time to time poorly serviced equipment experiences of talented people within
systems, high expansion foam, sprinkler that is dangerous and inoperative. The the shipping industry, and are constantly

systems, water mist, fire detection etc. fact is that maintenance-inspected fire enriched with new experiences.
The company is also a representative for suppression systems are not always “Although sometimes it could be

Heien Larssen – a Norwegian company carried out correctly by service stations assumed that the high specificity
dealing with fire suppression systems; and this is due either to lack of required would be a hindrance to the

Eltek – a Norwegian company dealing knowledge or financial reasons and implementation of these systems, for
with Fire Detection Systems; Catef – an unfair competition.example to companies managing a small

Italian company who manufacture “Throughout the inspection process number of people, management systems

portable fire-fighting mediums, and of fire-fighting systems, or even during would come to cover any gaps in various
Bliang – a Chinese company dealing with the training, we ask crew members safety issues. But regardless of size,

Life Rafts and Life Saving equipment.specific questions about the operation experience and the expertise of the
Mr Papachatzis told The Ship Supplier of fire-fighting equipment and very people, in my opinion the great challenge

that Discovery Marine provides a often their replies are disappointing is the transfer of knowledge to who I
tailored service dealing with every and it is clear they lack confidence and think is the real beneficiary, the crew

aspect from advice and design, supply that they fear they will trigger the members, so they can cope within a
and installation to the commissioning of system by mistake and cause an crisis situation.”

approved fire suppression systems by accidental release. For this reason, So, what does Mr Papachatzis
appropriate classification societies. The training is paramount in order for crew suggest for safer vessel operations? “I

company undertakes annual inspections members to be familiar with the believe the concepts of safety and

of fire-fighting and life-saving apparatus operation of fire extinguishing systems.”quality are interrelated. Anyone who
onboard vessels and also services and When asked if compliance with deals with the ship should understand

refills portable fire extinguishers, regulations is sufficient in order to that quality goes hand in hand with
breathing apparatus and hydrostatic achieve safety onboard, Mr safety. Companies engaged in providing

testing at its Piraeus-based workshop. Papachatzis said: “In my opinion, services and supplies should be chosen
Discovery Marine also carries out shipping is not a consolidated set of based on their experience and the

inspections and services onboard.regulations. It is constantly evolvingquality they offer.” u

Issue 63 2014
28 The SHIP Supplier