Emergency equipments & procedures

EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT AND PROCEDURES

The ultimate reef-friendly liveaboard for underwater photographers in Thailand and Myanmar!
The MV Smiling Seahorse took its maiden voyage in November 2018. We broke the mold choosing to build a specialized boat designed by and for divers instead of converting a fishing vessel as is very common in this region. Its Steel hull is much more suited to easily cut through waves than a wooden hull and its 2 superior engines allow the MV Smiling Seahorse to venture further into the unknown. Although the boat is larger than its predecessor, measuring 25m long and 6.4m wide, its 8 cabins and bathrooms spread over 4 decks still cater to a maximum of 16 guests. More space for the same number of people definitely ups the ante of comfort and freedom during your cruise.

Franck, the captain, and team members

BOAT SAFETY

Boat briefing: at the start of every trip the guests are given a general boat briefing stating the emergency procedures as well as the dos and don’ts to ensure safety and well-being for all on board.

Life raft: with Hydrostatic release, yearly serviced fitting 35 passengers

Life raft: with Hydrostatic release

Tender: providing redundancy for evacuation.

Tender: providing redundancy for evacuation

Life jackets: maintaining head out of water for all passengers and crew. 2 per cabin readily accessible.

Life jacket

Life rings: spread out around the boat, accessible to everyone, for overboard man recovery.

Life ring

Emergency water pumps (Bilge pump): both 220v and 24v if general power failure and alarm system for early response in case of water way.

Emergency water pumps

EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon): transmitting position of the vessel for accelerated emergency services response.

EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon): transmitting position of the vessel for accelerated emergency services response. Andaman Sea Liveaboard

Radar: monitoring the weather anticipating bad sea conditions.

Radar: monitoring the weather anticipating bad sea conditions

VHS/AIS/Radio: ship-to-ship/shore communication, distress channel, constant monitoring of the boat location (GPS).

AIS constant monitoring of the boat location (GPS).

VHS: ship-to-ship/shore communication, distress channel

FIRE PREVENTION

Detectors: smoke, heat and Co2 build up in cabins.

Smoke detector

Portable fire extinguishers are placed in strategic locations and readily accessible.

Portable fire extinguishers

CCTV: in engine room for 24/7 monitoring.

CCTV

DIVING EMERGENCY

Oxygen emergency kit: extended medical grade O2 supply with both “on demand” and “continuous flow” addressing decompression sickness and all diving-related accidents DAN standards.

Emergency primary care kit as well as extended medical supplies available on board.

Qualified emergency responder diving team.
Evacuation routes: MV Smiling Seahorse has all doors opening to the outside, with no indoor corridor allowing for quick access to evacuation.

DIVE GROUPS:

General dive briefing: prior to first dive a diving procedure briefing is provided for all guests ensuring a safe experience for all.
Keeping a 1:4 ratio as per the national parcs requisite as well as providing a high level of service both for safety and comfort.
Individual pre dive briefings to ensure better safety (current, entry procedure, dive plan, etc.) meeting every guests expectations and abilities.