Zelim’s SWIFT device approved for maritime use

Zelim’s SWIFT man overboard recovery system has received type approval from Lloyd’s Register.

This certification follows extensive in-water tests at Fleetwood Testing Laboratory and Heavy Weather Sea Trials, enabling the system’s widespread adoption within the maritime industry.

The SWIFT system was successfully demonstrated during trials in May 2023 at a windfarm offshore Ramsgate in the Southern Bight of the North Sea.

The system recovered a test dummy two nautical miles offshore, performing more than twenty times faster than conventional man overboard equipment.

The SWIFT device is designed to pull both conscious and unconscious individuals from the sea in under one minute.

Compliance with SOLAS standards

The SWIFT system has been confirmed as compliant with the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) standards.

Zelim’s CEO, Sam Mayall, highlighted the significance of this certification for the global maritime and offshore industries, stating: “Type approval certification assures the global maritime and offshore industries that SWIFT is compliant with SOLAS and can be adopted as a primary means of man overboard recovery for ships and offshore installations.”

Developed by operational search and rescue personnel, the SWIFT system uses a conveyor belt mechanism attached to a rescue vessel.

When the vessel approaches a casualty, the system lowers into the water, and the conveyor belt pulls the individual to safety.

Improving survival rates at sea

Mayall emphasised the importance of reducing the time it takes to retrieve individuals from the water: “Sea survival is hugely dependent on the time it takes to retrieve individuals from the water, but often high sea states make recovery difficult.

“When rescue vessels approach, many survivors do not have the strength to pull themselves to safety.”

Industry statistics underscore the urgency of improved man overboard recovery methods.

Only 17% to 25% of passengers who fall overboard during cruises survive.

Additionally, between 2015 and 2023, 40% of the 308 man overboard incidents reported to the UK’s Marine Accident Investigation Board resulted in fatalities.

Potential impact on maritime safety

Zelim’s Chief Operating Officer, Stewart Gregory, stressed the potential impact of the SWIFT system on reducing fatalities: “The maritime and offshore industries now have a fully type approved certified system capable of rapidly rescuing people from the sea in all weather conditions.

“Lives lost to man overboard incidents could be reduced substantially if every rescue boat, crew boat, pilot boat or tender was equipped with SWIFT as a matter of course.”

Swift man overboard recovery system achieves Lloyd’s Register type approval: summary

Zelim’s SWIFT man overboard recovery system has received full type approval from Lloyd’s Register, following rigorous performance tests.

This certification ensures that the SWIFT system is compliant with SOLAS standards and ready for widespread adoption in the maritime industry.

Designed to rapidly pull individuals from the sea, the SWIFT system demonstrated its efficiency by outperforming traditional rescue methods during trials.