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Executive Summary 
 

The SafePASS stakeholders’ workshop, hosted by MSRC on January 29th - 30th in Glasgow, provided the opportunity to  the members of the Consortium and the additional guests to get input from key stakeholders into the direction and design of future LSA (Life Saving Appliances) and PSE (Personal Survival Equipment). The direction and design is driven by the findings of what the Emerging Needs are perceived to be, what are the potential Future Requirements and how Smart Technology can be integrated, so as to improve the Evacuation process for all participants, reducing the risks involved, while improving the efficiency and effectiveness.

During the two days’ Workshop, a number of interactive exercises, involving all the participants, looked at the Emerging Needs, Smart Technology Application and the possible Future Requirements. In order to encourage Innovation, in view of all taking part, a number of the exercises focused on Creative Thinking, rather than the day to day Reasoned Thinking took place. The structure followed an extensive Brainstorming Exercise and then an Exercise in creating a vision of what LSA and PSE would be expected to be like in 10 years’ horizon. In addition, a live-voting Survey was carried out by all workshop attendees, looking at how Smart technology can affect and benefit LSA and PSE.

The participated members of the Consortium provided a wide range of knowledge, ideas and expertise as they represented OEM’s, Class Societies, Owners, Naval Architects, Crowd Movement specialists, IoT and Connectivity specialists. In addition, Workshop was attended by representatives from Flag, EMSA and Owners, who also provided their input.

The results from the survey work, which was conducted onboard on the RCCL cruise ship ‘Jewel of the Seas’ cruise ship were reviewed, so as to give guidance on possible Emerging Needs. The key findings were concentrated on PSE - Fitment (comfort, size, ease of donning, bulk) were the main concerns or issues noted. A two-edge sword was also noted from the feedback from the Crew, as Technology was seen as probably providing benefits, but also at the same time providing the opportunity to introduce reliability issues. Regarding LSA it was pointed out that Ease of Use and Reliability were seen as the key issues, while also improving the deployment sequence of equipment by reducing crew actions or increasing automation.

During the Workshop the Brainstorm exercise generated ideas and guidance on the Emerging needs of LSA and PSE. One of the key issues that the exercise highlighted was that one size of LSA and PSE does not fit all. With the wide range of demographics and mobility characteristics of the people being onboard in large passenger vessels, concerns about Safety Equipment may arise, as it is not be as effective as it could be. It was also highlighted that increased functionality of the equipment along with reliability would ease those concerns. Training was also noted and a Need which could be improved, by using means of new training methods based on disruptive technologies such as VR, AR etc. , which cab increase Crew effectiveness.

The feedback during the report on Smart Technology clearly pointed out that by introducing the appropriate technology, the ability to locate, manage and track PAX can be greatly improved during an Evacuation, ensuring the whole process is carried out as efficiently and effectively as possible. The availability of Real Time data for those managing the evacuation will also be of benefit.

In ten years’ time, the Workshop participants envision that LSA ad PSE can be integrated seamlessly into the vessel design, and that the equipment could be used efficiently by the wide range of demographics onboard and their respective mobility characteristics. The whole evacuation process would be more efficient and reliable, as Technology will have been integrated into the equipment allowing for Realtime management of the process. In addition, the human element and its associated risks will have been introduced as much as practical, as the Equipment will be more Automated to deploy and board.

Overall, the Workshop has provided a clear understanding of the needs and concerns of the LSA and PSE stakeholders, and how these issues may be resolved, by providing a direction and guidance on how the Safety Equipment needs to be structured in the future.