Defibrillator orders rocket as ship owners look to meet MLC demands

The upsurge in sales is linked to the new Maritime Labour Convention’s August deadline to have a marine defibrillator on every vessel along with crew trained in its use.

Swire ordered more than 100 automated external defibrillators (AEDs) to outfit its entire China Navigation fleet.

“It is extremely encouraging to see the positive response to MLC 2006,” said Ian Couldwell, Martek’s AED product manager. “Of course these changes are required under law but regulation like MLC puts these often-overlooked safety devices and procedures into the thoughts of shipping management. As each new level of safety comes into legislation, the bar continues to be raised and the difficult, dangerous job of seafaring becomes a little bit safer, and we should always be looking to raise that level of safety.”