Hydrostatic Release Unit – T-ISS Seamate Ve-1 HRU

What is a Hydrostatic Release Unit?

A Hydrostatic Release Unit (HRU) is a crucial piece of maritime safety equipment designed to automatically release life-saving devices, such as life rafts or EPIRBs. “Hydrostatic” is a term that relates to the properties and behavior of fluids, particularly liquids such as water. In the unfortunate case a vessel sinks or is submerged in water, the T-ISS SeaMate Ve-1 will automatically release life rafts and EPIRB’s.

The HRU is a compact, reliable, and lifesaving device that’s essential for marine safety.

What is the purpose of the Hydrostatic Release Unit?

The purpose of a Hydrostatic Release Unit (HRU) is to ensure the rapid and reliable deployment of life-saving equipment in the event of an emergency at sea. This is crucial, specifically when a vessel capsizes or sinks. Here are some key purposes of the HRU:

1. Automatic Release: A Hydrostatic Release unit is designed to automatically release life rafts, EPIRBs, or other critical floatation devices when it senses that the vessel has sunk below a certain depth. This is typically around 1.5 to 4 meters underwater. This automatic release ensures that life-saving equipment is readily available and can deploy even if the crew is incapacitated or unable to do so manually.

2. Enhanced Safety: In emergency situations, time is everything. An HRU significantly reduces the response time of your crew, allowing life-saving equipment to be in the water swiftly. This increases the chances of survival for those on board. A vital key purpose in situations where evacuation must happen rapidly.

3. Reduced Human Error: As we can all understand, human error can occur during the stressful moments of an emergency. A Hydrostatic Release Unit eliminates the need for manual intervention, reducing the risk of mistakes and ensuring a seamless and timely deployment of life-saving gear.

How does an HRU work?

A Hydrostatic Release Unit works quite easily. Once installed, there are no more actions for your crew to undertake. This is how it works:

1. Submersion detection: HRU’s are equipped with a ‘hydrostatic’ sensor. This sensor detects changes in water pressure as a vessel sinks. Once the preset depth is reached, the HRU triggers its release mechanism.
2. Release mechanism activation: once the sensor detects that the vessel is at a certain depth, it activates the release mechanism within the HRU. The rope of the HRU is cut, releasing the laft raft or ERIPs.
3. Device deployment: The life-saving device is now released and free to float to the surface of the water, where it can be easily located and accessed by those in need of rescue.

What is the best Hydrostatic Release Unit in the market?

Depending on what you are looking for in a HRU, the T-ISS SeaMate Ve-1 has some benefits that other HRU’s do not:

• The T-ISS SeaMate Ve-1 HRU has a longer expiry life of 3 years, which is longer that the typical 2-year expire life of other HRU’s. This saves costs and also reduces the environmental footprint. It also matches the service interval of the life rafts which is also 3 years.
• The T-ISS SeaMate Ve-1 HRU is designed to operate in a wide range of conditions, from extreme heat to polar environments. This means it can operate in diverse climates and regions.
• The T-ISS SeaMate Ve-1 Hydrostatic release unit is thoroughly tested and certified by US Coast Guard, DNV module B, Wheelmark
• The T-ISS SeaMate Ve-1 HRU is compatible with remote release systems. This can be valuable in certain emergency conditions.

It’s essential to note that the choice between HRUs from different manufacturers should be based on a comprehensive evaluation of the specific requirements of the vessel, its operating conditions, and regulatory compliance.

We are happy to answer any related questions you have about the T-ISS SeaMate Ve-1 HRU.