DBC Marine Safety Systems Ltd is to supply two marine evacuation systems for installation aboard the m.v. Chihuahua Star operated by Baja Ferries in Mexico. The ferry sails between Mazatlan and La Paz on the Baja Peninsula and its owners have decided to replace their existing chutes with Zodiac/DBC systems.

The ferry owner’s decision to fit replacement escape slides was based on calculations of comparative long term ownership costs. The company found that although its original evacuation system had appeared to be the cheapest when they were originally purchased, unexpected service fee increases after two years had eliminated any saving and made their overall cost of ownership much higher when compared with competitors that had tendered for the original installation.

Faced with unacceptable service costs Baja Ferries consequently turned to British Columbia-based DBC Marine Safety Systems. The ferry operator was surprised to discover that the size of the service cost increases were so great that it was possible to completely replace the original escape systems with Zodiac/DBC equipment and to have them serviced regularly for less than the fee that was being charged by the previous supplier. Because Zodiac/DBC service charges can be fixed for an extended period, Baja Ferries realised that the cost of replacing their original installation with Zodiac/DBC marine evacuation chutes will be paid off within 3 to 4 years and they will be saving money thereafter.

"This is a significant order for DBC Marine" explained general manager Gary Birchenko. "It will also demonstrate to other ship operators that there is an alternative to living with excessive service fees. The situation appears to arise from purchasing departments being seduced by prices that can be up to 40 per cent lower than those tendered by competing suppliers. Because they are classed as operational costs, the high service fees that arise later do not appear to be considered during purchase and ship owners can find themselves apparently tied to equipment that is unreasonably expensive to maintain."

"By consulting DBC Systems, Baja Ferries discovered that that there was an economical alternative and we are pleased to be supplying the company with some exceptional products." Gary Birchenko explained: "The DBC Marine Evacuation Chute has full SOLAS certification, and carries Type Approvals from Bureau Veritas, (CE Certification) Transport Canada, and the United States Coast Guard. It enjoys an enviable safety record with over 15,000 safe descents since the first one was manufactured in the 1980s. The patented design of this chute requires no effort from the user in order to safely descend; it easily accommodates stretchers, certain types of survival suits and breathing apparatus wearers. These features are proving attractive to a wide range of ship operators and to the offshore oil and gas Industry," said Birchenko.

DBC Marine is part of the Zodiac SOLAS group and is responsible for the manufacture and servicing of marine evacuation systems, rigid inflatable boats, life rafts, life jackets and marine firefighting equipment. DBC Marine received certification and compliance registration to ISO14001; 2006 Environmental Standards, and ISO9001; 2008 Standards of Quality Assurance. In addition, it continues to maintain Transport Canada Airworthiness Certification for overhaul and distribution of lifesaving equipment and appliances to the aviation industry. Zodiac SOLAS Global Headquarters are located in Paris, France.