VIKING Life-Saving Equipment has launched a new Walk-to-Work crew transfer suit that overcomes a cumbersome feature of offshore wind turbine maintenance procedures without compromising safety, further strengthening its reputation for innovation in the renewables sector.
The new VIKING YouSafe™ Walk-to-Work is a one-size immersion suit airtight packed into a bag that is attached to the user’s lifejacket, instead of being worn during the transfer between support vessels and offshore installations.
VIKING YouSafe™ Walk-to-Work immersion suit
VIKING YouSafe™ Walk-to-Work suit has been developed in cooperation with major oil & gas operators
Sealed in a protective bag, the lightweight VIKING YouSafe™ Walk-to-Work suit has been developed in cooperation with major offshore wind and oil & gas operators.
Currently, crews landing on wind tower platforms from support vessels wear their one-hour immersion suits during transfer. Once on the platform, the immersion suits are simply set aside, so that crews can attach their harnesses and get on with maintenance work.
One issue is the time-consuming donning and doffing process; the other issue is that when not being used, the suits are exposed to the elements.
Discussion on if crews need to wear immersion suits
Discussion on whether crews need to wear immersion suits is still a hot topic in the industry.
“VIKING has decided to rise to the challenge to support crew transfer, whether they continue to wear an immersion suit or carry it with them, because carrying an immersion suit brings its own challenges,” says Bettina Kjærgaard, Global Product Manager, Offshore Wind, VIKING Life-Saving Equipment, adding “Minimizing risk should also involve making the safest option the easiest one to choose.”
Transferring while holding a tool bag and an immersion suit bag could be awkward for a crew member or even involve two journeys, she points out, while the vessel’s watch would not be able to see through the bridge rails whether crews are compliant.
VIKING YouSafe™ immersion suit bag optimized for use
“The VIKING YouSafe™ immersion suit bag has been optimized for use with the well-established VIKING YouSafe™ Pro lifejacket and is compatible with most standard inflatable lifejackets used by professionals,” says Bettina Kjærgaard.
She adds, “All compliance issues are satisfied and, if anything, compliance becomes easier than non-compliance. Attached to the lifejacket’s back via strong Velcro straps, the suit bag is clearly visible to the officer on watch while the user has free hands hold on to the rail.”
VIKING YouSafe™ Walk-to-Work suit is SOLAS-approved
The new SOLAS-approved VIKING YouSafe™ Walk-to-Work suit has already secured its first orders
Tens of thousands of one-hour immersion suits are in circulation to serve the offshore industry in Europe alone. Bettina Kjærgaard says that the new SOLAS-approved VIKING YouSafe™ Walk-to-Work suit has already secured its first orders.
Bettina Kjærgaard stated, “For example, the number of wind farm technicians continues to grow rapidly and this market is demanding innovation and better quality in the solutions offered to keep crews safe.”
Suit is smarter from the safety perspective
Bettina Kjærgaard adds, “The VIKING YouSafe™ immersion suit is smarter from the safety perspective because it is always available from the moment the lifejacket goes on. It wins on ease of use because compliance provides greater freedom of movement during the transfer.”
She continues, “With a three-year service life expectancy, the VIKING YouSafe™ Walk-to-Work immersion suit is also substantially lighter, weighing just 1.37kg, compared to 4.6kg for a typical immersion suit used in this application, while still maintaining its protective qualities. I am sure this will be as interesting to the Oil & Gas market as it has already proved among our wind energy customers.”
VIKING’s ‘top to bottom review’ of all equipment
The suit's launch follows VIKING’s new all-on-one wind turbine evacuation kit
Bettina Kjærgaard adds that the VIKING YouSafe™ Walk-to-Walk immersion suit is the latest outcome of VIKING’s ‘top to bottom review’ of all equipment used in crew transportation, transfer and evacuation in the offshore wind sector.
The suit's launch follows VIKING’s new all-on-one wind turbine evacuation kit, which includes the VIKING YouSafe™ Hightide suit with integral rescue harnesses, gloves and lowering device.
The solution is robust enough to support an outside descent and has the built-in buoyancy for the user can stay in the water until rescuers arrive.
Revolutionary design with a focus on high mobility
Revolutionary design with a focus on high mobility and a perfect fit. The VIKING YouSafe™ Vanguard lifejacket is for use by professionals in harsh environments, such as Offshore Wind Energy and Offshore Oil & Gas.
The VIKING YouSafe™ Walk to Work immersion suit in a pouch can be attached to the back of the VIKING YouSafe™ Vanguard lifejacket for hands-free protection.
