Autronica Fire and Security has delivered an extensive fire safety system to Royal Caribbean International's forthcoming mega-cruise ship, Allure of the Seas. The installation, which included the implementation of new ISEMS – Integrated Safety and Emergency Management System – functionality as part of the AutroMaster 5000 presentation system, is complete with final commissioning scheduled to take place in November 2010. (Autronica is part of UTC Fire & Security, a unit of United Technologies Corp.

Autronica was chosen to provide the systems for Allure of the Seas following the successful installation and subsequent smooth operation of the sophisticated custom fire safety system aboard RCI's first mega-cruise ship, Oasis of the Seas.

"We have had excellent feedback from RCI about the Oasis of the Seas installation. They tell us that the system is easy to use and provides a great overview in an emergency operation as well as on a daily basis," comments Jon-Arne Simonsen, Autronica's responsible Regional Sales Manager. "Allure of the Seas benefits from a similar custom system, that will provide crew and emergency staff with a complete, detailed overview of the entire vessel and safety systems, should there be a fire, or indeed any other kind of incident."

The incredible size of the Allure of the Seas means that the AutroMaster system has to handle and present a massive amount of data in an easy to view fashion. There are eight AutroMaster ISEMS terminals and thousands of points relaying real-time data including: 

- 37 Fire alarm panels 
- 9500 Smoke and heat detectors
- 1030 Fire doors
- 300 Sprinklers
- 300 Low location lights
- 1350 Controlled CCTV cameras
- 830 Fire dampers

AutroMaster uses a simple graphical user interface to provide control and monitoring of every point and on all detection loops of the fire detection network onboard. The safety officers onboard Allure of the Seas have an even more detailed view of what's happening onboard because of the range of extra ISEMS functionality within the AutroMaster system:

Decision Support System - Incident Manager: Interactive incident management system.

ISEMS Plotting Functionality: A sophisticated icon-based plotting system that allows operators to direct and keep track of various emergency teams on the vessel's GA plan.

Event Replay: Provides review of system events for training or investigation purposes. 

Training Module: A tool for interactive training and simulation of ISEMS operations. 

CCTV Interface: An automatic function that activates the nearest camera to any detector/manual call point in alarm so that the situation may be viewed live.

Advisory Cards: Text and pictures for various damage controls will be displayed either as a separate page or icons on the GA plan, providing information on how to act, for instance how to close a specific watertight door. 

Also included are ISEMS modules for displaying status of Water Tight Doors, showing primary and secondary escape routes as a layer on the GA plan and providing the open and closed status of shell doors.

The Finnish-based consulting and engineering company Deltamarin hosted a seminar during SMM 2010 in Hamburg on the occasion of celebrating 20 years this year. The company also published a book titled "Leading the Way towards Sustainable Maritime Future."

The theme of the seminar was "The future challenges for ship design and engineering." The maritime industry sees growing pressure from legislation to decrease emissions and to function in a more sustainable manner. On the other hand the cost pressure is increasing in all fields of maritime activities. Deltamarin sees that both demands can be satisfied simultaneously. Taking sustainability into account during concept development can lead to cost reductions when there is a holistic, knowledgeable approach to the entire process.

Present at the anniversary seminar were Deltamarin’s Managing Director Mika Laurilehto with other speakers being Sales Director for Contracting Services, Markku Kanerva and Development Manager Esa Jokioinen. The presentations at the event outlined Deltamarin's vision on how to combine cost efficiency with sustainability.

Through its 20 years, Deltamarin welcomed the most challenging projects in the industry thus constantly increasing the competence of its personnel. Deltamarin has developed numerous novel prototype vessels and is known for its pioneering work with 3D design. Today Deltamarin offers consulting, design, engineering and contracting services to a wide international clientele. Deltamarin’s customers represent many maritime industries, such as the offshore, shipping, shipbuilding and naval industries. Deltamarin group employs 400 engineers and specialists in their own fields. The head office is located in Raisio in Finland, but the company has offices in Helsinki and Rauma as well. Deltamarin group operates internationally in Poland, Croatia, Monaco, Shanghai and Shandong in China as well as Malaysia. In recent years Deltamarin has focused on developing Contracting Services, a service that is intended for newbuildings and conversions.

Showcasing onboard experiences all her own, Royal Caribbean International's Allure of the Seas, the world's next largest and most innovative cruise ship debuting in December 2010, will introduce new culinary concepts and tempting twists to signature Oasis-class restaurants. A Brazilian steakhouse will be a destination restaurant that comes to life for dinner service in the Solarium, featuring authentic Brazilian-style meats and seafood dishes, from Picanha cut sirloin steak to Atlantic salmon marinated with sea salt and garlic, served table-side and sliced straight off the skewer. In Central Park, recently anointed Chef de Cuisine Molly Brandt will present guests with a one-of-a-kind menu and distinct dining experience at Allure of the Seas 150 Central Park, a signature fine dining experience.

"As churrascaria concept restaurants gain popularity on land, Royal Caribbean is taking advantage of having a new ship to introduce a Brazilian steakhouse and bring a new dynamic and colorful nightlife ambiance for adults in the Solarium," says Lisa Bauer, Senior Vice President, Hotel Operations, Royal Caribbean International. Guests onboard Allure of the Seas will have a new arrangement of dining experiences throughout the ship, from the Allegio Main Dining Room to new venues on the Boardwalk and Royal Promenade.

Combining the best of classic Mexican beach bars and Southern California's famed taquerias, Rita's Cantina will be a vibrant new restaurant in the Boardwalk neighborhood. Adults and kids alike will enjoy some of their favorite Mexican fare, such as shrimp ceviche tostadas, warm tortilla chips with salsa and fiesta guacamole, as well as entrées, such as fajitas, fish tacos and Chipotle-style flautas. The more casual setting will be a favorite lunch, snack or dinner spot for guests seeking a flavorful fiesta onboard Allure of the Seas. Rita's Cantina also will boast some of the best and widest selection of margaritas at sea, offering both authentic and signature concoctions mixed with a choice from the extensive list of quality tequilas, served on the rocks or frozen in a variety of fruit-flavor combinations. In addition, the restaurant will introduce new nightlife to Boardwalk with live guitar music, drinks and dancing. Rita Cantina's design will include large open breezeways and an outdoor seating area complete with high top tables and stools, and will be located in place of Seafood Shack onboard sister-ship Oasis of the Seas.

Also new to Boardwalks dynamic and engaging scene will be The Boardwalk Dog House, an outdoor hot-dog specialty counter located where The Donut Shop is on Oasis of the Seas. Guests can choose from traditional hot dogs, wieners, brats, sausages and other delicious linked meats and a variety of toppings to split a long bun. The Donut Shop will remain on Boardwalk in a new location next to the Ice Cream Parlor.

Alongside the MOU signing ceremony, Port of Hakata announced its decision to join ACA as a member. ACA Chairman, Rama Rebbapragada, said “ACA warmly welcomes Port of Hakata, Japan, as its newest member and its first major Japanese port member to the Association. The Port of Hakata is a very important port of call on most itineraries currently offered between China and Japan, and the port has the potential of emerging as one Japan’s main cruise hubs.