OEUK news

Offshore survival suit revamp is excellent showcase of pioneering industry

17 January 2019

Mhairi Begg, OGIC project manager, Simon Lamont, founder of Iron Ocean, and David Bucknall from Heriot Watt University, pictured with the Centurion 3 offshore survival garments.

Oil & Gas UK has said the latest development in offshore survival technology from the Oil & Gas Innovation Centre (OGIC) is an excellent showcase of a pioneering industry.

The prototype garment, developed alongside Iron Ocean and Heriot-Watt University, could save the lives of offshore workers in the event of an incident at sea.

The ‘Centurion 3’ is made up 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 – effectively protecting workers from the harsh elements of the North Sea.

Matt Abraham, Oil & Gas UK’s supply chain and HSE director, said: “We are encouraged by the development of this cutting-edge technology for industry which has the potential to save lives in an emergency scenario.

“As a major hazard industry, the UK’s offshore oil and gas sector has a clear duty to protect the health and safety of our people. This is an excellent showcase of how our pioneering industry continues to drive ground-breaking improvements which can have a real impact on the lives of the people who work offshore.

“We are continually evaluating ways in which we can improve our preparedness in response to a major incident and we work closely with our members, as well as regulators and the government, to ensure we are setting high standards.

“The safety of our people is a core value and is at the heart of all that we do, and we have already seen how innovative technology has had a positive impact in allowing the industry to become more efficient, whilst reducing risks to the workforce.”


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