Solar Solve Marine, based in the UK, recently received an order from a Swedish interior outfitting company to supply 58 custom-made ROLASOLV® blackout roller blinds for the MV Santa Cruz II. The vessel is a modern 72 metre cruise ship designed for touring the Galapagos Islands and is to take over from the original Santa Cruz vessel which was built back in 1979 and currently does the same tour. The new vessel is being fitted out in Ecuador and will commence operation in October 2015. The new ship offers passengers a 58% increase in space ratio whilst also being 31% more fuel efficient, making it much more environmentally friendly. Built with modern technology and style, it is deigned to preserve the islands’ delicate ecosystem via the latest in sustainable sailing technology.
Solar Solve have specialised in providing sun and glare protection to the marine and offshore industry for almost 30 years and the company is celebrating its 40 th anniversary in business this year (1975 – 2015). ROLASOLV® fabric roller blinds are installed at cabin windows and public area windows to provide shading from the sun. They are Type Approved by DNV-GL and have been successfully tested to meet the requirements of the mandatory IMO FTPC Part 7 A.563(14) Resolution – the flame test for vertically supported textiles and films. The fabrics also have BS5438 flame spread certification.
John Lightfoot MBE, company founder and Chairman of the Board commented, “We are delighted to receive this order for a ship that tours a place on earth that has a number of islands which feature many unique species of wildlife. As the islands are located on the equator the blackout blinds will allow passengers and crew to enjoy night-time conditions in their cabins, even if it is daylight outside.”
