Computerised Evacuation and Survival System

The CARETAKER system represents a new approach to evacuation and survival of passengers in the event of fire on board of cruise ships. It consists of a central panel on the bridge connected to small cabinets located in cabins. Each cabinet contains two smoke hoods and has a LCD display for messaging and an alarm. In the event of an emergency or fire the cabins with passengers are identified by colour coding/messaging on the central panel. Through sensors and the wireless communication the reception can easily identify in which cabins passengers are responding to the alarm and in which they are not. Emergency and evacuation actions can thus be directed to effectively safeguard life and property.

Each cabin unit generates an alarm signal (80 dB) alerting the passengers present in their cabins. The LCD screen will flash the message «take out smoke hood»- then «put on smoke hood» and «go to life boat station» in the respective language of the passenger. The message is repeated continuously and the door of the cabin unit has been opened centrally, thus giving easy access to the smoke hoods. The passengers are now aware of the situation. They have light from the unit (it is fitted with a battery back-up) and are receiving information. The system can optionally be equipped with a security alarm button enabling the passengers to alarm the reception/security officer in case of other emergencies.

Caretaker system was nominated for the Seatrade Safety at Sea Award 2001. The system is presently being installed aboard ResidenSea´s "The World" and is planned also for its second ship "The World 2".