About ESM - Maritime Safety Expert
Since 1984, ESM has been the benchmark for maritime safety in Quebec. A 100% Quebec-based company, it offers a one-stop shop combining certified equipment, rigorous inspections and certifications, as well as hands-on, local support to ensure day-to-day compliance and safety. ESM also provides specialized repair and maintenance services to guarantee the performance and reliability of your equipment.
Over the years, ESM has built a strong reputation for the quality of its technical services, driven by a team of experienced professionals who continuously integrate new technologies, updated regulatory standards, and industry best practices into their operations.
As the exclusive Survitec distributor in Quebec and an authorized inspection centre for safety equipment, ESM delivers a complete solution that ensures regulatory compliance, including SOLAS standards and Transport Canada requirements. Our commitment to safety, precision, and operational excellence makes us a trusted partner for shipowners, operators and organizations seeking reliable maritime safety solutions.
Our Mission
To ensure the maritime safety of professionals by providing certified equipment tailored to their needs, rigorous inspection services, and personalized support, both locally and throughout Quebec.
Our Vision
To be the leading reference in maritime safety across Quebec, recognized for our comprehensive expertise in equipment, inspections and certifications, and for our commitment to making every operation at sea safer, faster and more efficient.
Our Story
1984: Company Founded
Founded in Gaspé by Yvon Fortin, Équipements Survie Maritime (ESM) initially specialized in the inspection and distribution of liferafts, mainly for fishing vessels.
1992: Sale
ESM is sold to Captain Léopold Bouchard, who brings more than twenty years of experience in the maritime industry. The company continues to build an excellent reputation for the sale of lifesaving equipment and after-sales service.
1998: Relocation to Quebec City
In response to a steadily growing clientele, ESM moves its head office to Quebec City, marking a new milestone in its development.
2007: New Owners
In 2007, ESM is taken over by three of its employees: Lauréat Arsenault, present since the company’s founding; Léon Bluteau, with experience in shipbuilding and navigation and part of the team for two years; and Marie-Hélène Gendron, a graduate of the Rimouski Maritime Institute in navigation, who joined ESM in 2005. With this team at the helm, ESM begins a new phase of growth and innovation.
2015: Departure of Lauréat Arsenault
In 2015, Mr. Arsenault leaves the company, entrusting Léon Bluteau and Marie Hélène Gendron with leading ESM and ensuring its continued development.
2024: Acquisition by Groupe AML
Yan and Loïc Hamel, co-owners of Groupe AML, take over ESM, which allows them to invest in areas they know well: maritime and sea safety. A new era begins, focused on growth and innovation, with excellence and quality at the heart of every action.
2025: New Name and Visual Identity
Committed to evolving and reinventing itself to better embody its vision focused on innovation and the future, ESM transforms and unveils a new name along with a new visual identity: Équipements Survie Maritime becomes Maritime Safety Expert (ESM).