NEVER STOP ASKING

• Raffles
• Onboard
• Ashore
• Financial
• Donald Starkey Designs
• Exploration
• FAQ
• Technical
• Press
• Contact

• Overview
• Next question

Is a 100 years life for Raffles realistic?

Yes and probably conservative. A number of the old pre WWII liner passenger vessels which operated at high speed in harsh conditions were still in service at 70 years and were not designed for such long lives. Numerous WWII “Liberty” ships built in 24 hours, and designed for only 1 transatlantic voyage, were still carrying cargo after 40 years. At 93 years the oldest passenger ship still in service was launched in 1914 and will continue in service until she is 100 years old.

Raffles is the only such vessel that is purpose designed to have 100 years life, using about twice the amount of steel as similar size vessels and to eliminate fatigue caused loss of strength, with its structure fatigue analysed by Lloyd’s (at an extra cost to FVH / AMS of over €200,000).

Also its systems and materials used, such as stainless steel valves, not iron / bronze and GFRP piping, not steel, are specially chosen for their long life (and low maintenance needs).

The life of machinery, equipment and systems in any ship is of course variable and subject to their actual  hours of usage, their receiving proper treatment and maintenance, with it certain that some items will in effect be totally replaced / rebuilt during 100 years. This is allowed for in the operating costs and is SOP in any vessel.