The MES installed on each vessel consists of 4 x 22m MES (22-metre inflatable evacuation slides with a 100-person SOLAS B liferaft attached) plus an additional 16 x 100-person self-righting liferafts, resulting in a total liferaft capacity of 2,000 persons. The complete MES and liferafts were manufactured and operationally packed at the Liferaft Systems Australia production facility in Hobart, Australia, then shipped to Rauma, Finland for installation at the RMC Shipyard.

The MES deployment in Hobart on Friday 29th August was witnessed by flag state Australian Maritime Safety Authority and classification society Lloyd's Register. A number of Spirit of Tasmania crew completed an MES training program the previous day conducted by LSA Technical Manager Mr Rob Lewis and the following day the crew actually deployed the MES and the associated linked liferaft without any issues whatsoever. The crew then descended the slide to familiarise themselves with all aspects of the MES performance.

The deployment was considered a huge success by all who attended and the equipment was removed from the vessel then transported to the LSA production facility where it will be cleaned and operationally packed prior to re-installation on board. LSA expects to complete the same test when SPIRIT OF TASMANIA V arrives in Hobart later this year or early next year.