Marine evacuation system
![Marine escape chute on MV Spirit of Vancouver Island on 09. September 2013](/Images/godic/202501/26/Bc_hinreise_104a_spirit_of_vancouver_von_tsawwassen_nach_swartz_bay4723.png")
A marine evacuation system (MES) is a lifesaving device found on many modern passenger ships consisting of an inflatable slide or escape chute where passenger can evacuate straight into waiting life rafts. Developed in 1979 by RFD, a New Zealand based company that distributes safety equipment; MES is replacing traditional davit-launched life rafts used on ships.