Zelim’s SWIFT conveyor system improves airport water rescue capabilities
Iain Hoey
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Water rescue conveyor installed at Southeast Asian airport
A Southeast Asian airport has adopted Zelim’s SWIFT Rapid Man Overboard Rescue Conveyor to strengthen its water rescue response.
The new conveyor system has been installed on the airport’s latest high-speed maritime rescue vessel.
Zelim said the airport commissioned the 40kt vessel in September 2024 and confirmed its operational readiness during live rescue drills in October.
The company said the SWIFT system was chosen to improve casualty recovery during aircraft ditching or runway overrun scenarios where rescue operations take place in water.
According to Zelim, the decision followed an innovation challenge launched by the airport’s emergency services team to identify safer and faster rescue solutions.
Exercises confirm conveyor improves speed of rescue
Zelim said that during the live drills, the SWIFT system enabled the airport’s rescue team to recover multiple simulated casualties from the water within minutes.
Zelim CEO Sam Mayall said: “Airports situated close to water have a responsibility to be prepared for the unthinkable.
“The SWIFT system presents an effective and proven solution to the challenges airports face following an aviation incident in the maritime environment.”
Mayall added: “SWIFT’s performance in exercise drills was truly remarkable.
“We were able to recover a significant number of ‘casualties’ from the water in a matter of minutes, mitigating the risk of rescuer fatigue and casualty injury.
“We are confident that this project will lead to other partnerships with airports around the world as they look to ramp up airport safety.”
SWIFT conveyor designed to reduce rescuer fatigue
The SWIFT system replaces manual lifting with a mechanical conveyor to reduce physical strain and injury risk.
Zelim said the system can be operated manually or remotely and is designed to function in both calm and rough sea conditions.
The company said that it is capable of recovering both conscious and unconscious casualties in less than one minute.
Traditional rescue methods often rely on direct physical lifting, which can be slower and more dangerous during large-scale or high-sea rescues.
The airport identified rescuer fatigue and casualty handling injuries as primary concerns when reviewing its legacy response systems.
Broader airport interest and future technologies
Zelim said the SWIFT system has attracted attention from other airports and that the company is now in final negotiations with a major European airport.
The firm said the Southeast Asian airport is also assessing its ZOE Intelligent Detection system for future deployment.
ZOE is designed to support real-time situational awareness and assist in coordinating emergency operations.
Zelim’s Chief Operating Officer Stewart Gregory said: “While emergency water landings are exceptionally rare, incidents such as the successful water landing of US Airways Flight 1549 on the Hudson River in 2009 highlight the importance of well-equipped and well-trained rescue teams in ensuring positive outcomes.
“By integrating SWIFT technology into its operations, the airport sets a new benchmark for emergency preparedness and response across the aviation sector.”
Project linked to emergency services innovation challenge
The airport’s decision to adopt the system followed a structured innovation challenge.
Zelim said this initiative was focused on identifying technologies that could enhance the efficiency and safety of mass casualty recovery in water.
According to the company, the challenge prioritised solutions that addressed manual handling risks and reduced responder burden.
The airport’s maritime rescue fleet is managed by its emergency services division and supports operational response in rare aviation water incidents.
The project timeline began with commissioning in September 2024 and included validation through live drills one month later.
Zelim’s SWIFT conveyor system improves airport water rescue capabilities: Summary
A Southeast Asian airport has installed Zelim’s SWIFT Rapid Man Overboard Rescue Conveyor on its latest fast maritime rescue vessel.
The project began with the commissioning of a 40kt vessel in September 2024.
Live rescue drills in October 2024 validated the system’s ability to recover multiple casualties in minutes.
The SWIFT system is designed to reduce physical strain by mechanically lifting people from water.
It can be operated manually or remotely and functions in various sea conditions.
Zelim CEO Sam Mayall and COO Stewart Gregory both described the system as effective in simulated rescue drills.
The airport selected the system through an innovation challenge focused on responder fatigue and injury risk.
Zelim said it is in discussions with a major European airport for a similar installation.
The airport is also reviewing Zelim’s ZOE Intelligent Detection system for future integration.
The installation forms part of broader upgrades to emergency preparedness at the facility.
