US-based company Ocenco has launched its emergency escape breathing devices (EEBD) to the commercial marine sector following an agreement with the Danish life saving equipment manufacturer Viking, which will undertake the distribution. Viking will use its existing distribution network including several subsidiaries and agents as well as its network of about 300 approved and authorised servicing stations to market this product. This equipment has become mandatory under Solas requirements (amendment chapter II-2) which requires all ships to fit EEBDs within the machinery spaces by July 2002. The regulations stipulate that all vessels shall carry at least two EEBDs while passenger vessels will need to carry more depending on the number of vertical zones. Developed in 1989 for the mining industry, the Ocenco M-20.2 compressed oxygen EEBD provides between 15 and 32 minutes of protection and can be donned in seconds by simply unlatching the fluorescent orange case, pulling out the unit and inserting the mouthpiece and nose clip. Because of its compact size (17 x 17 x 7.6cm) and light weight (1.4 kg) it can be belt worn in confined spaces. Already type approved by most of the major classification societies, the Ocenco M-20.2 has been selected for exclusive use by the US Navy, US Coast Guard and the Hellenic Navy.

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