Leading Merseyside marine firm International Safety Products (ISP) is set to dispatch 1,000 specially-designed lifejackets to the Royal Netherlands Navy.
Bootle-based ISP is a world leading marine safety equipment specialist. It has already delivered 900 of the custom-made life preservers to the Dutch force and is now due to issue 1,000 more as part of a three-year, 3,000 lifejacket contract.
The jackets are inflatable collar-style life preservers specially designed to be worn with a Molle system on tactical waistcoats. (see notes to editors).
ISP sales director Geoff Billington said the contract required a bespoke design as there were a number of detailed requirements requested.
As a leading safety product supplier to the international military marine sector ISP used all its experience to deliver an entirely unique product for the Dutch Navy.
“We delivered a tailor made design to ensure the jackets met the needs of the Royal Netherlands Navy,” said Mr Billington. “This involved detailed work to allow the jackets to function when worn with military kit. The jackets also had to meet all the necessary safety standards and pass rigorous testing so it demanded that our technical team come up with some clever designs to bring everything together. The finished article is a bespoke product that meets all the requirements of the Dutch Navy and which is now being used widely within the force.”
ISP secured the Navy deal in cooperation with Dutch lifesaving equipment manufacturer Besto.
Besto has more than 85 years’ knowledge and experience in the field of personal life-saving equipment for watersports and shipping.
Besto managing director Jos Martens said: “We are delighted with the co-partnership on this development. Besto and ISP have managed to develop a special garment which fully meets the customers’ demands.”
He added that the jackets have been tested and approved according ISO-12402-6.
The lifejackets attach to existing Molle-compatible military vests. Alternatively they can be worn alone due to a removable waist belt. Each jacket is fitted with two hydrostatic operating heads which automatically inflate the twin-chamber jacket when the wearer hits the water. (see notes to editors).
Other features include a spray hood, which protects the wearer from drowning by protecting their face from sea water as they breathe and a twist lock valve on the oral tube to allow top-up of inflation if required.
For more information on ISP’s products and services contact Geoff Billington via email on gbillington@ispl.co.uk or phone +44 (0) 151 922 2202
NOTES TO EDITORS:
Technical details
• Molle is an acronym for Modular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment.
• Molle kit is widely used by military forces across the world. It uses strong webbed strapping to attach pouches and equipment to the clothes and bags of personnel, allowing members of the armed forces to modify what they are capable of carrying depending on their role or the conditions.
• The CM Hammar MA1 hydrostatic operating head has a small CO2 canister attached via a bayonet fixture, similar to a light bulb. It also has a protected sensor valve which, when submerged, automatically triggers the canister, inflating the lifejacket.
• The spray hood folds away flat and is deployed manually. It covers the whole head, preventing water splashing into the face to reduce panic and prevent water inhalation.
ISP
ISP was founded in 1981. In 2008 managing director John Rogers and sales director Geoff Billington undertook an MBO with backing from the Merseyside Special Investment Fund (MSIF) and the Cooperative bank. It specialises in the manufacture of marine survival equipment and offers a bespoke design service, working with clients to ensure their safety products include any specific features they require without sacrificing performance or safety. Its products meet all the highest relevant safety standards, including the Safety Of Life At Sea (SOLAS) treaty, International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) and European Standards (EN) ratings.