Schat-Harding launches global multi-brand service

LEADING lifeboat manufacturer and service provider Schat-Harding has widened the range of its global service network to cover multi-brand servicing and the re-hooking of lifeboats. For the first time, shipowners and offshore operators will be able to get most of their lifeboats, hooks, winches and davits serviced by a trained engineer working to the highest global standards, backed by a global service network. They will also be able to use Schat-Harding’s range of modern hooks to replace older models which may no longer meet IMO standards in most boats.

Birger Grathen, CEO, Schat-Harding Service, says, “This is a major step forward for shipowners and offshore operators. They don’t have to risk using small and unauthorised lifeboat service and testing stations, or hooks from companies with no track record. Rather, they can now benefit from the same high standards as those already enjoyed by owners with Schat-Harding brand equipment. Our global network of service stations and partners is now authorised to service over 500 lifesaving products made by other Original Equipment Manufacturers, on top of all the products delivered by the fifteen major brands we own.”

Norwegian-headquartered international shipowner DOF, which owns and operates a large fleet of modern offshore and sub-sea vessels, is one of the first companies to take advantage of Schat-Harding’s multi-branding initiative. It has recently signed a 65-vessel Fleet Service Agreement with Schat-Harding. Marita Ottera, Head of Procurement at DOF Management AS, says, “The agreement with Schat-Harding will afford us good control with regard to the approved quality and safety of the equipment on our lifeboats, and a simplified follow-up procedure for lifeboat systems on board our ships. We are very happy to have Schat-Harding support the equipment on board our ships and to do the work in an efficient and cost-effective way.”

IMO SOLAS regulations require a strict and regular service and testing routine for life- saving appliances, and new requirements have recently been put in place to test all lifeboat hooks and bring them up to new standards.

“The best way to get equipment serviced or updated is to use the people who design and build lifeboats, winches, davits and hooks, and who have the trained people to do the job properly,” says Birger Grathen. “That is why we built up the world’s biggest global service network and have invested heavily in training and in our SHIELD database. We want to give lifetime support to the owners who have our equipment. But most shipping and offshore companies have mixed fleets of vessels with a mix of lifeboat equipment from different manufacturers. It is much easier and cheaper if they can use one company to service and upgrade all the equipment. Owners are also now facing a one-off challenge of having to test all the lifeboat hooks to see if they comply with retrospective IMO standards, and to replace hooks where necessary. That will be a big task, again made more cost-effective by using one supplier for the whole job.

“That is why Schat-Harding is seeking a wide range of approvals and access to original manuals and spares. It has also trained its engineers and put in place quality control criteria to ensure that they can safely service equipment from most manufacturers, and install our SeaCure hooks into most boats, while maintaining the global high standards which currently apply to Schat-Harding brands.”

To download hi res photos of Birger Grathen and Schat-Harding service engineers at work click on: http://bit.ly/sCR30i or e mail chris@merlinco.com


Schat-Harding is the world’s leading supplier of lifeboat and evacuation systems for the offshore, cruise and shipping industries. With factories and offices in Norway, the UK, the Netherlands, Brazil, Germany, Italy, Panama, Singapore, Spain, Canada, the Czech Republic, the USA and China, and agents or service partners in thirty other countries, Schat-Harding provides a global service and supply network. Brands now owned by Schat-Harding include Watercraft, Viking Marine, Waterman, Fiskars, Davit-Company, MASECO, Watercraft America, William Mills Marine, Schat, Harding, Mulder & Rijke and the Beiyang Boatbuilding Co. www.schat-harding.com

For more information:

David Torres
VP Sales
+47 902 82 987
USH Service
david.torres@schat-harding.com

Jennifer Manning
Marketing Manager
USH Service
+47 45 86 74 47
jennifer.manning@schat-harding.com

Schat-Harding sees shipowners select secure service

Leading lifeboat manufacturer and service provider Schat-Harding says more shipowners are opting to enter into long-term service agreements in order to ensure priority service for the lifeboats, davits and hooks on their vessels.

David Torres, vice-president sales, Schat-Harding Service, says, “We see a welcome trend away from ad hoc servicing of key lifesaving equipment and a move towards long-term Fleet Service Agreements. With world trade growing, shipowners cannot afford delays or detentions related to Life Saving Appliances.

"In addition, it reflects a growing recognition by owners that they want to keep lifesaving equipment in good order and ready to go by a company that really services their equipment, and also that our capability to deliver a consistent global service has grown considerably.

“In the last few months alone, five important shipowners from around the globe have chosen Schat-Harding to provide long-term fleet support for their lifeboats, davits and winches. With over sixty vessels between them, the shipowners have recognised the benefits of a Fleet Service Agreement, which ensures that their lifesaving appliances are always in good order, that spares are readily available and costs are clear and competitive.”

A major Hong-Kong-based shipmanager has entered a five-year agreement covering 24 ships. Most of the 5-year inspections will be performed in China by Schat-Harding’s China offices, but annual inspections will be carried out by Schat-Harding’s global network.

In the USA, a tanker operator has entrusted the care of the LSA for its eight oil and chemical tankers to Schat-Harding. This is the first FSA to be taken up by a US merchant company, and it is significant that all the vessels operate under the US flag.

In Europe, three key new agreements include twenty-three tankers managed from Portugal on behalf of a US owner, a Dutch seismic vessel fleet and the leading Mediterranean cruise ferry fleet.

These FSAs demonstrate that shipowners recognise the benefits of planned servicing and pricing, by a company that truly understands the equipment that needs to be serviced, and the ease of having one point of contact for all their FSA service needs, wherever their ships may be trading.

“Schat-Harding’s global network has shown how it can work together seamlessly to provide global owners with the support they need at sensible costs,” says Torres. “Owners owe it to seafarers to ensure that their equipment is safe, and it cannot be safe if serviced by ad-hoc service companies with little to no experience of the equipment they touch and who do not even bother to use original spares, putting themselves and the crew in danger. FSAs give owners and seafarers safety and good service at a sensible cost.”

To download hi res photos of Schat-Harding service engineers at work click on: http://picasaweb.google.com/Merlinclients/SchatHardingor e mail john@merlinco.com

Schat-Harding is the world’s leading supplier of lifeboat and evacuation systems for the offshore, cruise and shipping industries. With factories and offices in Norway, the UK, the Netherlands, Germany, Italy, Panama, Singapore, Spain, Canada, the Czech Republic, the USA and China, and agents or service partners in thirty other countries, Schat-Harding provides a global service and supply network. Brands now owned by Schat-Harding include Watercraft, Viking Marine, Waterman, Fiskars, Davit-Company, MASECO, Watercraft America, William Mills Marine, Schat, Harding, Mulder & Rijke and the Beiyang Boatbuilding Co. www.schat-harding.com

For more information: David Torres VP Sales +47 902 82 987 USH Service david.torres@schat-harding.com

Jennifer Manning Marketing Manager USH Service +47 45 86 74 47 jennifer.manning@schat-harding.com