Innovative Garment to Save Lives of Offshore Workers

Scottish company Iron Ocean has worked closely with the Oil & Gas Innovation Centre (OGIC) and Heriot-Watt University from Edinburgh to develop an offshore survival system called Centurion 3. The system comprises of a three-layer upper body garment that produces heat when immersed in cold water and is designed to be worn under the traditional offshore survival suit.

The three-layers are tear resistant, fire retardant and compression fit, making the Centurion 3 less bulky and restrictive compared to traditional suits, giving the wearer increased mobility and protection. Current garments worn under the survival suit do not provide active heating.

The newly developed material which is activated by water contact starts heating up immediately and holds the body warm for more than 20 minutes – more than five minutes longer than the average garment used so far.

Simon Lamont, founder of Iron Ocean, and former industry health and safety manager, said: “With all of our prototype garments now complete, the next step for us is to introduce the Centurion 3 to market so it can begin saving lives offshore. There is also great potential to bring this innovative technology to other industries including leisure, military and maritime to improve safety in harsh environments.”