Norwegian life jackets on board one of the world’s largest cruise ships

When Royal Caribbean's newest ship, Legend of the Seas, embarked on its first voyage this summer, it carried nearly 10,000 guests on board. And almost 15,000 Kon-Tiki Mini life jackets from the Norwegian brand Regatta.

Regatta and its parent company, Aalesund Protective Wear (AAPW), have supplied life jackets through a contract with Meyer Turku. The Finnish shipyard has built some of the world's most advanced cruise ships, including Legend of the Seas.

"Not many people know that Regatta develops life jackets for passenger vessels, but you'll find our products on board everything from small Norwegian ferries to large ships sailing the Caribbean," says Lill Tømmerdal.

Designed to free up space

Tømmerdal has worked with Regatta for over 25 years and is the Key Account Manager responsible for international clients.

"We have supplied life jackets to a couple of the ships Meyer Turku has built, and most of them carry the Kon-Tiki Mini on board."

The life jacket meets all required SOLAS standards and is one of the most compact life jackets on the market. And it is precisely its small size that makes the Kon-Tiki Mini such a popular choice.

"The life jacket's design allows it to be stacked closely together, taking up to 50% less space than other life jackets. This frees up room for passenger cabins or other communal areas," Tømmerdal explains.

For Legend of the Seas, Regatta has supplied Kon-Tiki Mini for both guest and crew — in yellow and orange respectively — as well as DAN W4 water-activated lights from Daniamant.

A versatile range of life jackets

Alongside the Kon-Tiki Mini, Regatta has several other life jackets that are frequently sold to cruise and passenger vessel operators.

"It's remarkable that life jackets from a small brand based in the Sunnmøre region of Norway can compete in the international market. And it’s not just one product. Several large ships have the Kon-Tiki Mini on board, while ferries operating in colder climates often carry the Thermo Cruise life jacket. We have also supplied floatation suits and inflatable life jackets to expedition ships and similar vessels," Tømmerdal concludes.

In addition, many shipyards also purchase buoyancy aids or life jackets for crew members working on deck.