ARKTOS Full-Scale Evacuation Tests

Abstract

The Arktos vehicle is an amphibious craft system capable of operation in a wide range of Arctic ice conditions and seastates. It is approved as an evacuation system by various regulators, such as the US Coast Guard, and is currently operational in several marine cold regions as an EER system. As part of a reliability investigation of the ARKTOS EER capability, a series of non-Arctic calm condition fully-manned drills was carried out to focus on ergonomic factors. These drills were carried out at a temperate location in the Fraser River Delta, near Vancouver, B.C. A full complement of evacuees was observed and documented throughout a range of evacuation drills, including escape, boarding, securing, and transport to a location outside of a hypothetical hazard zone. Video, time, and expert observer records were made and analyzed subsequently. Two sets of drills were carried out; namely, full-scale evacuation drills and calm open water operation drills. Both sets of drills focused on the ergonomic interfaces of the subjects and the vehicle. This paper describes the observations, presents the statistical results from the data collected, and compares observed results with predicted results of a probabilistic EER simulation computer model. Conclusions and recommendations for reliability improvements are given.