Successful Marine Evacuation System deployment marks a major step in the build schedule for Incat Tasmania’s next-generation high-speed Electric Ferry.
A major safety milestone was achieved at Incat Tasmania’s Hobart shipyard with the successful deployment of the Marine Evacuation System (MES) on Hull 096, the world’s largest battery-electric Ferry.
The MES, supplied by Tasmanian manufacturer Liferaft Systems Australia (LSA), is a core element of the vessel’s safety infrastructure. Its installation not only marks a key step in the build program but also underscores the depth of Tasmania’s advanced manufacturing capability supporting high-profile shipbuilding projects on the global stage.
The deployment included three 22-metre inflatable evacuation slides, each connected to a 128-person open reversible liferaft, alongside an additional linked liferaft. Once fully equipped, the world’s largest battery-electric ferry will feature six MES units and 13 linked liferafts, providing a total liferaft capacity of 2,432 people.
Incat Chairman Robert Clifford said, “Safety is fundamental to every vessel we build at Incat. The successful deployment of the Marine Evacuation System on Hull 096 demonstrates the depth of engineering, planning and collaboration required to deliver vessels of this scale.”
“We are proud to continue our partnership with another industry leading Tasmanian company in Liferaft Systems Australia to deliver world-class safety capability, showcasing the expertise that exists right here in our state.”
Liferaft Systems Australia Managing Director Mike Grainger said the milestone reflected a strong and enduring partnership between the two companies. “Our long-standing relationship with Incat is built on a shared commitment to quality, reliability and passenger safety.”
“Seeing these systems successfully deployed on a vessel of this size is a proud moment for our team and a testament to what Tasmanian industry can achieve together on the global stage.”
Today’s deployment forms part of an extensive testing and commissioning program that will continue in the lead-up to the vessel’s delivery to South America.
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